Yoga Nidra practice benefits women with menstrual irregularities

Posted on Sun, 18 Sep 11

Yoga Nidra is a type of relaxation practice that involves entering a sleep-like state of blissful awareness. A previous study suggested that Yoga Nidra practice can reduce menstrual pain and a new investigation has found it may reduce anxiety and depression as well.

After 6 months of regular Yoga Nidra classes, women with menstrual irregularities experienced significant reductions in anxiety and depression compared women who did not practice the relaxation technique.

It was also found the women “ felt that they have learnt a skill in the form of Yoga Nidra that can be used in stressful situations to become relaxed and for better management of stress. They experienced that the yoga program helped in decreasing nervousness, tensions, depression, downheartedness, hopelessness, illness and bodily disorders. They felt happy, satisfied, cheerful and light hearted. They experienced a new outlook of life. Furthermore, it could be that the energy was used to handle the feelings and emotions that they previously suppressed.”

Regular Yoga Nidra classes may be a useful way to improve mental and physical wellbeing for women suffering from menstrual irregularities.

Sources:

1. Ferguson JH. The effect of relaxation training on menstrual pain and locus of control in a selected group of women. Diss Abstr Int. 1981;41:10.

2. Rani K, Tiwari S, Singh U, Agrawal G, Ghildiyal A, Srivastava N. Impact of Yoga Nidra on psychological general wellbeing in patients with menstrual irregularities: A randomized controlled trial. Int J Yoga. 2011 Jan;4(1):20-5.