This yoga pose (also known as Supta Baddha Konasana) is beneficial for women in all cycle changes, from relieving menstrual pain to improving circulation in the ovarian region, and can be helpful during pregnancy and menopause.
What it does:
Regulates blood pressure as it encourages the relaxation response. It can also help with indigestion, flatulence and sciatic pain. It is beneficial for women in all cycle changes, from relieving menstrual pain to improving circulation in the ovarian region, and can be helpful during pregnancy and menopause.
It also opens across the front of the chest, opening the heart and energising the body.
What you’ll do:
Lying with your ribs and torso supported by a stack of books, a pillow or anything around the house you feel comfortable on, either rest your hands above your head or beside your torso. Placing them above your head adds a stretch into the front of the shoulders.
You can place as much support under your back as you need, but allow your hips to be a few inches away from pillows to allow the lumbar spine to realise and the stomach to relax.
Place your feet together, your knees out wide and then simply close your eyes, breathe and let go.
If pregnant, additional blankets may be placed like stairs in a graduated support for the spine, placing the mum in a less horizontal position and ensuring the baby is not putting too much pressure on the vena cava.
You can add as many props as you need depending on the flexibility of the spine. If the groin is tight, place pillows under your knees.
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Words: Phoebe Waters and Rebecca Long Model: Phoebe Waters // @phoebeeyoga; Photographer: Ren Pidgeon // renpidgeon.com // @renpidgeon Stylist: Alexandra Apostolidis
