Yoga of hormones (YTH): for whom? Why ? How? ‘Or’ What ?

Scientific studies about effects of yoga on hormones are quite rare. Nevertheless, we know that hormones have a great impact on our mood, but also on our menstrual cycles, on our libido, etc. And we also know the health benefits of yoga. So what about this particular yoga? How does it work and what can we expect from it? We interviewed a gynecologist and two yoga teachers.

The one also called the YTH (hormonal therapeutic yoga) aims to maintain and strengthen the balance of the hormonal system in order to prevent or treat potential hormonal problems (PMS or premenstrual syndrome, menopause, etc.).

Hormonal yoga was created by a Brazilian, Dinah Rodrigues. It was in 1991 that this graduate of the University of Sao Paulo in psychology and philosophy, invented a series of exercises to reactivate hormones.

Hormone yoga aims to rebalance the hormonal system to improve hormonal disorders (premenstrual syndrome, fertility disorder, peri-menopause…) as well as certain disorders associated with hormonal imbalance: fatigue, skin, sleep, mood problems, anxiety, etc. As explained in detail Leticia Davya teacher who gives hormone yoga classes:

“All our systems being connected, when the hormonal system is out of balance, our nervous and immune systems are also affected. The modern lifestyle of most people brings with it a degree of near-permanent stress. The body prioritizes its actions and will focus its work on managing this stress (an excellent reaction initially, faced with what it interprets as an immediate vital danger). But consequently the hormonal system (not necessary for survival in the face of immediate danger) will be put on standby. The same is true for the immune system. »

So today according to the expert, our hormonal system is generally under-regulated, which explains the increase in these disorders, the decline in fertility in mind. The yoga of hormones therefore serves to reactivate, reboost the hormonal system.

The testosterone as well as other hormones act as sexual inducers (source 1). But stress, anger or depression will on the contrary cause hormonal imbalance and act as sexual desire suppressors. The YTH willincrease testosterone levels and of lower stress levels. Ideal for combating low libido.

Estrogen and progesterone levels fluctuate during the menstrual cycle. We also know that women with PMS have a serotonin levels (hormone that regulates mood), inferior to others. This specific yoga will promote the production of female hormones and thus reduce the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (mood changes, sadness, anxiety, sleep disorders, etc.).

YTH also helps regulate cycles: the ovaries produce the two hormones mentioned, which notably control menstruation and its regularity.

With menopause, the body gradually makes less estrogen and progesterone. However, these play a fundamental role in the well-being of women. The yoga of hormones will stimulate them. At stake : reduce symptoms of menopause (hot flashes, dry skin…).

In case of’unexplained infertilityhere again, this form of yoga can help, especially in the case of IVF. Dinah Rodrigues declares on her site that among her students, 80% have found the desired pregnancy after 4 to 6 months of practice.

Ten times more frequent in women than in men, a thyroid gland dysfunction can cause a hormonal imbalance which can then generate fatigue, disturbance of the menstrual cycle, etc.

Again, the list is not exhaustive and depends on each one, but the benefits are countless.

“We start by helping the nervous system to relax with a meditative/relaxing time. Time that will repeat itself at the end of the session, explains Leticia Davy.

The stimulation of the hormonal glands is done thanks to two practices that we will repeat throughout the session in different postures (chosen to target the desired gland):

• ” ventral dynamic breathing (diaphragmatic) which will sometimes stimulate the ovaries by the mechanical action of movement (like a massage), sometimes the thyroid when the posture causes a compression of the throat, sometimes the adrenals, etc.
• a flow of energy oriented successively towards the different glands by visualization and concentration on different points of the energy circuit. »

This latter practice is based on the principles of traditional indian medicineI’ayurvedaaccording to which our vital energy travels through our body according to a very precise route (via the nadis, comparable to the meridians of traditional Chinese medicine), and will charge/nourish our organs and our glands to enable them to perform their functions optimally physiological.

“The hormonal level had an average increase of 254% in 4 months, with 30 minutes of exercise, 16 days a month,” says Dinah Rodrigues.

In a more classic yoga session, we also use breathing and postures but for a more global action. We work to connect the body and the mind through the breath to lead to a state of balance, health and general calm.

And the specialist Leticia Davy to specify:

“From what I see, the hormone yoga closely resembles traditional yoga, notes Evelyne Le Corre, who teaches haha yoga or energy yoga for 15 years: the asanas (postures) are the same than those practiced during a classic yoga session. We will no doubt emphasize the specificities of the woman and her cycle, because yoga always invites us to linger where there are tensions or knots, where it hurts. What matters is that yoga is good for health and can help us with all types of ailments. Moreover, the simple fact of practicing regularly will lead to a general improvement in health, therefore in hormonal balance, etc. »

Céline Plard Dugas, gynecologist in Le Mans: “I don’t know the yoga of hormones, but I will say that yoga in general, as a means of relaxation and relaxation, can only promote well-being and harmonize hormonal functioning. And patients who are well are often well sexually, genitally, hormonally. Conversely, when things go wrong, there can be hormonal imbalances. »

You can practice at home, or face-to-face, with a teacher, like the young Claudia Martinthe charming Kathy Wolf or with our expert, the radiant Leticia Davy, who offers workshops dedicated to woman yoga.

Some breathing techniques recommended during these yoga sessions, hormones can for example create a overoxygenationlike the bhastrika pranayamaalso called the blacksmith bellows breathing. They may also move the lower abdomen, as Uddiyana Bandha and are therefore not recommended during menstruation.

This yoga, which generally incorporates body twists, is also contraindicated in pregnancy. But you can of course find suitable exercises during private or special pregnancy lessons.

Only two rules must be respected:

• find a teacher who suits you: yoga like the rest is a human story. Choosing a person with whom you feel good, whose background or methods you appreciate, is important;
• always stay in tune with your body, don’t force it and practice at your own pace. Nobody, not even the best teacher, can know for you where your physical limits are. It’s up to you to determine when you can fetch further and when you’re maxed out.

Hormone yoga books
– Yoga hormone therapy, Dinah Rodrigues
– Living well through menopause with yogaDinah Rodrigues, ed. Medici
– hormone yoga, Michele Broad, ed. the Musardine

In short, YTH is a yoga that particularly targets female hormonal balance, an essential element for well-being. Like traditional yoga, practicing it can only do good!

Good for you and your hormones.