07/12/2025
“When the body demands rest, we listen. When it is ready to heal, we invert”
🛑 Why We Stop Gravity: The Science of Inversions & Your Period.
In Iyengar Yoga, discipline isn't just about doing a pose—it is knowing exactly when not to do it.
According to Dr. Geeta S. Iyengar, the rule for inversions during the menstrual cycle is based on strict physiological logic. Here is the breakdown:
1️⃣ DURING THE FLOW: No Inversions Menstruation is the body's way of discharging toxins (mala) and waste.
- The Science: Inversions like Headstand (Sirsasana) and Shoulderstand (Sarvangasana) reverse the pull of gravity. Doing them during your cycle arrests the flow and retains waste that nature intends to throw out.
- The Risk: Retaining these toxins invites disease and works against the body’s natural cleansing process. We rest to let Apana Vayu (downward energy) do its work.
2️⃣ AFTER THE FLOW: Invert Immediately
The moment the bleeding stops completely, the rule flips. You must start your practice with inversions.
- The Reset: Inversions are required to establish the constitutional balance of Vata, Pitta, and Kapha (the body's humours).
- The Healing: Just as a wound heals, the womb needs to "dry up" and settle back into place. Inversions help the inner membranes of the uterus and va**na to recede and recover.
- The Routine: Dr. Geeta Iyengar recommends holding these inversions for 8–10 minutes to fully reset the endocrine system.
💡 The Takeaway: Yoga is a partnership with your physiology. When the body demands rest, we listen; when it is ready to heal, we invert.
💬 Question for you: Are you guilty of skipping the inversions to jump straight into active poses after your cycle, or do you stay disciplined with the recovery protocol?
