These 3 yoga poses for period pain will help you deal with cramps like a champ

Period cramps are pretty much on top of the ‘unpleasant things we deal with monthly’ list. Over 80% of women suffer from them globally. In fact, 10% women deal with such severe period cramps that they end up disrupting their everyday lives.

One of the healthier, no side-effects, methods to deal with period cramps is with yoga. According to research published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, yoga can help with both cramps and premenstrual syndrome (PMS). It is a therapeutic alternative to taking pain relievers and can help completely eliminate the pain in the longer run.

Here are three yoga poses for period pain that you can try to beat cramps and relax your mind and body. Remember to go at your own pace and breathe throughout the entire process.

Baddha konasana or butterfly pose
During your periods it is the lower half of your body that often feels heavy and bloated. So a seated pose like the baddha konasana helps a great deal in opening up your pelvic region and stimulating your abdominal organs, ovaries, and bladder.

Start gently and don’t force your knees to touch the floor. Stretch only to the extent that your body allows.

Also read: Yoga for beginners 101: How to prep for your first yoga class

Upavistha konasana or wide-angle seated forward bend
This seated pose will help stimulate your abdominal organs helping reduce your period cramps. In fact, this stretch is recommended even when you are feeling stressed as this pose helps your body relax completely.

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You may not be able to do the perfect bend while menstruating and that’s completely okay. Don’t push yourself beyond your comfort zone.

Balasana or child’s pose
Balasana is the go-to resting pose in yoga. This is a great way to relieve menstrual pains especially if your back hurts a lot. This asana allows your back muscles to stretch, while also helping you relax. Remember to breathe deeply while performing this pose.

Try these three yoga poses for period pain this month, and see a difference in the way your body and mind react to the cramps. Trust us, while it is tempting to curl up into a ball and sleep, heading to the mat is a better plan.