Yoga for fertility and conception
As we spend more time in front of machines engaging with technology, the greater is our loss of connection with all things human. This disconnected lifestyle has led to uni-dimensional approach to life increasing stress levels and anxiety disorders.
Procreation is a natural process which may call for natural remedies for rejuvenation and relaxation. Unchanged data show no change in fertility rates over the last 20 years. This indicates to at least 50 million couples worldwide who experience infertility. The ancient science of Yoga recommends the following practices for improving levels of fertility in both men and women.
Asana Brahmacharya asana
Formation of the posture
Begin by sitting with your legs extended forward
Place your palms on the floor next to your thighs
Lean your torso forward and exhale completely
Put pressure on your palms, engage your core, inhale and lift your legs off the ground
Ensure that your knees are kept straight and your toes point up
Hold the posture for a few seconds
Word of advice
You may experience a muscle cramp in your thighs when you practice this the first few times. In such a case, you must release from the posture and massage your thighs before it worsens
Refrain from practicing this posture if you recently underwent an operation on any digestive organ
Vajrasana
Formation of the posture
Begin by standing straight with your arms by the sides of your body
Lean forward and slowly drop your knees on your mat
Place your pelvis on your heels and point your toes outward
Here, your thighs should press your calf muscles
Keep your heels slightly apart from each other
Place your palms on your knees facing upward
Straighten your back and look forward
Hold this asana for a while
Word of advice: Avoid doing this asana if you have a knee or ankle injury.
Breathing methodology: Softly inhale and exhale.
Pranayama KapalBhati
In Sanskrit, 'Kapal' means skull and 'bhati' means 'shining/illuminating'. Therefore, this KapalbhatiPranayam is also known as Skull Shining Breathing Technique.
Method
Sit in any comfortable pose (such as Sukhasan, Ardhapadmasan or Padmasana)
Straighten your back and close your eyes
Place your palms on your knees facing up (in Prapthi Mudra)
Inhale normally and focus on exhaling with a short, rhythmic and forceful breath
You can use your stomach to forcefully expel all the air from the diaphragm and lungs by compressing it
Inhalation should happen automatically while you decompress your stomach
Khand Pranayam
The Sanskrit word, 'Khand' means piece or segment.
Sit in any comfortable pose (such as Sukhasan, Ardhapadmasan or Padmasana)
Straighten your back and close your eyes
Place your palms on your knees facing up (in Prapthi Mudra)
As you inhale, divide your breath into two equal parts
Without retaining the breath in your lungs, exhale twice
Surya Namaskar and Chandra Namaskar
Surya Namaskar - 12 Steps make half the cycle
Pranam asana (The Prayer pose)
Hastha Utanasana (Raised arm pose)
Padahastasana (Standing forward bend)
AshwaSanchalanasana (Equestrian pose)
Santholanasana (Plank Pose)
Ashtanga Namaskar Asana (Eight limbed salutation)
Bhujangasana (Cobra pose)
AdhoMukhaSvanasana (Downward dog pose)
AshwaSanchalanasana (Equestrian pose)
Padahastasana (Standing forward bend)
HasthaUtanasana
Pranam asana
Repeat the 12 steps with the left leg moving in and out secondto make one complete cycle
Chandra Namaskar - 14 steps make half the cycle
Pranam asana (The Prayer pose)
HasthaUtanasana (Raised arm pose)
Padahastasana (Standing forward bend)
AshwaSanchalanasana (Equestrian pose)
Inhale and bend back (Ardha Chandra asana)
Santholanasana (Plank Pose)
Ashtanga Namaskar Asana (Eight limbed salutation)
Bhujangasana (Cobra pose)
AdhoMukhaSvanasana (Downward dog pose)
AshwaSanchalanasana (Equestrian pose)
Inhale and bend back (Ardha Chandra asana)
Padahastasana (Standing forward bend)
HasthaUtanasana
Pranam asana
Repeat the 14 steps with the Right leg to make it 1 complete cycle
Shanth DhyanShanth Dhyan
Shanth Dhyan - Meditation technique for breath awareness.
Sit down in any comfortable position, close your eyes gently.
Keep the spine erect, with relaxed shoulders
Softly inhale and exhale
Observe your breath as you inhale and exhale
To resolve the issue of fertility, it is perhaps advisable that we reduce the time spent in mundane activities. Instead, adopt a more holistic approach to life through practices such as Yoga, reconnecting with nature and spending more time with our loved ones.
We need to learn to adopt a calmness of attitude and to balance our energies. These changes may result in transformation of our thought process thus positively affecting our physiology and fertility health.
(-The author is a yoga master, spiritual guide, lifestyle coach, yoga entrepreneur)