When to do more, when to do less...

I tend to err on the side of caution when hearing ‘well, traditionally, we do this…’; I’ve always been curious, interested in the experience and rather geeky when it comes to understanding the why. Whilst I have a healthy respect for tradition, I also believe in innovation and just because it was ‘always done a certain way’, doesn’t mean there isn’t space for growth and refinement.

So let’s discuss periods, Ashtanga, when to practice and when to rest. Traditionally, women were told to rest for the first 3 days of their menses. Perhaps some restorative postures, perhaps more reading of the philosophy. Let’s be clear though, the Ashtanga tradition is a patriarchal system. So given that, let’s dig a little deeper.

When I first started practising, I realised quite quickly, that sometimes practising during menses felt good. I felt better for it, and speaking to other female practitioners, I realised I was not alone. After two decades of practice I have learnt that sometimes I need to practice and sometimes I need to rest. It doesn’t tend to vary month to month; it’s more of a life stage (that’s what two decades of info gives you). Listening to many other strong, long term female practitioners, I am certainly not alone.

Things become clearer when we look through the lens of Traditional Chinese medicine. The substances within the body are considered to be yin, this includes blood. Yin as we know represents our slower, calmer more introspective qualities. It’s associated with the moon, being rather than doing, softness, femininity. Whilst yang is doing, more active. Yang is lighter, faster and more movement based. We need both equally. That’s not to say they will always be equal, but the ability to move between being and doing, softening and surrender is vital.

When the menses are governed by heaviness, pain, lethargy, perhaps even anxiety, movement can be really helpful. When we can facilitate the flow of Qi (energy) within the body we can literally get things moving. This does not necessarily mean a full primary series, although perhaps it does (just release bandhas). But allow yourself to be curious about adding some dynamic movements back, see what feels right.

Equally when menses are governed by lightness, dizziness, possibly joint pain, drawing inwards is a good idea. Taking time off. If giving yourself time to rest is new, it may need to be more than 3 days for awhile, eventually it may be less.

Usually we are our own unique mix of ‘how things feel’ and this is why adapting at an individual level is vital and a blanket rule doesn’t make sense in my book.

If you are looking for more information as well as a class that may be useful, head on over to my Women’s Health section.