5 Yoga Poses That Helps To Balance Your Hormones

Restorative yoga shares similarities with traditional yoga, offering a practice designed to unwind, relax, and alleviate stress in both the mind and body.

What sets restorative yoga apart is its emphasis on utilizing props to provide additional support, minimizing pressure and stress during pose execution. Props such as pillows, blankets, chairs, walls, and towels are incorporated to aid the body in maintaining positions comfortably. Unlike typical yoga postures, restorative yoga involves holding poses for an extended duration.

In the context of today's stress-inducing lifestyles, many individuals experience hormonal imbalances. Chronic stress deeply impacts the body, leading to a surge in cortisol levels—a hormone pivotal in the body's stress response—resulting in hormonal disruptions. Restorative yoga emerges as a valuable practice in addressing these imbalances by fostering relaxation and stress reduction.

# Matsyasana

The fish pose stretches the neck, chest, and shoulders, relieving tension in the muscles. It also eases respiratory disorders and promotes deep breathing. It is a great way to beat your everyday stress.

Steps:

- Roll a blanket into a tight roll.

- Lie on your back with your feet together placing the rolled blanket at the base of your spine.

- Let your hands remain relaxed alongside your body.

- Rest your head on the ground.

- Lift your chest and let the tip of your head touch the ground.

- Allow your shoulders to stretch slightly touching the ground.

- Tilt your chin up, stretching your neck.

- Breathe deeply and hold the position as long as you are comfortable.

# Viparita Karani

This is an inversion pose and improves the blood circulation. This pose can also ease anxiety, headaches, and other ailments like digestive issues that you may face on a daily basis. Provide your body enough support for this pose, for instance, a wall to support the legs and a blanket to rest the back.

Steps:

- Place a folded blanket on the ground about 3 inches away from a wall.

- Sit on the blanket and place your bottom as close as possible to the wall.

- Lift your legs straight against the wall and position the back on the blanket in such a way it is at the center and ensure you are comfortable in the position.

- Place your arms by your side and tilt your head slightly backward.

- Begin deep breathing in this position.

# Salamba Bhujangasana

This pose strengthens the spine and stimulates the abdominal organs. It relieves stress in the chest and shoulders and promotes blood circulation.

Steps:

- Lie on the ground on your belly.

- Place a blanket under your elbows to increase the height and to make it a comfortable position.

- Keep your legs close together, with your feet and heels slightly touching each other.

- Stretch your hands in front of you, palms facing the ground.

- Take a deep breath in, lifting your head, chest, and abdomen but keeping your navel on the ground.

- Make sure your spine is curved, pulling your torso back with the support of your hands.

- Exhaling, gently bring your head, chest, and abdomen back to the ground.

# Pashcimottanasana

This pose is good to relax and stretch stiff back muscles. It also stretches the shoulders, spine, and hamstrings. It calms the mind and relieves stress, too. It also soothes headaches and reduces fatigue.

Steps:

- Sit down on the ground and place a rolled blanket under your knees.

- Let the back of your knees rest on the blanket.

- Fold forward over your legs, stretching your arms out in front of you.

- Rest your forehead on your knees.

# Savasana

This is a position of rest and relaxation and is usually performed toward the end of the yoga session. It is one of the most effective yoga poses to relax and reduce stress.

Steps:

- Lie on your back and place a folded blanket under your knees.

- Place your hands beside your body with your palms open facing up.

- Place your legs apart from each other.

- Loosen all the muscles in your body and relax and take deep breaths.