Now, fertility yoga comes to fore

With workplace stress taking a toll even on their reproductive health, GenX is turning to fertility yoga—as their proponents call it—to undo the effects of the hectic, rat race-culture on their body.

Many gynaecologists in the city swear by the efficacy of yoga in treating fertility-related problems. They are advising asanas (postures) and pranayaam (breathing techniques) to those who approach them with issues related to their reproductive health.

Dr Srimani Rajagopalan, senior gynaecologist and promoter-consultant for Bangalore Hospital, is one of the experts who advocate fertility yoga. She says that for lifestyle-related diseases, destressing is of paramount importance.

Besides helping one relax his body and mind, she says, yoga helps improve blood flow. She says certain postures taught in fertility yoga improve blood flow to the genitals, which is why she recommends the practice to her patients.

Dr Chandrika Sekhar, a gynaecologist who runs Chirag Hospital at JP Nagar, says she practises yoga regularly and has experienced its benefits first-hand. This is why, she says, she recommends the ancient practice to her patients, including those who come to her with fertility-related issues.

N Sneha, who runs classes at Sama Wellness Centre at JP Nagar, is another professional in the wellness sector who vouches for fertility yoga. Stating that both men and women can practise it, she says there are certain breathing techniques and yogic postures that have a nurturing effect on one’s reproductive system. Explaining how yoga helps, she says the postures/asanas stimulate the endocrine system—the hormonal headquarters—which, in turn, enhances oxygenation in ovaries.

In case of men, she says, regularly practising the asanas and the breathing techniques helps improve sperm count
She says decline in sperm count is associated with a high-stress life—which is a side-effect of today’s corporate culture—and sedentary lifestyle. She advises a couple should start practising fertility yoga at least six months before they have planned for the wife to conceive. Describing further benefits of the ancient practice, she says it helps women have control over their menstrual cycle.
Reaping benefits

Srinidhi R (name changed), an IT professional, is one of those who have reaped positive results by taking to fertility yoga. She says she was suffering from polycystic ovaries syndrome—which affects women’s hormone levels and menstrual cycle—and found the solution in fertility yoga. She says she consulted many doctors and they advised her to lose weight, besides popping in some pills. She says her gynaecologist advised her to try a mix of yoga and other exercises along with medication, which was when she stumbled upon fertility yoga on internet.

She says she enquired about it with some yoga teachers in Bangalore and joined a class after doing her research. She says her condition has improved a lot and she feels much better.

What is fertility yoga?

Yoga Guru and author of the book Yoga for Pregnancy, SN Omkar, says: “Fertility yoga is nothing but certain specific traditional asanas in yoga that will have a positive effect on reproductive health. I have many women and men coming to me with infertility problems after being guided by gynaecologists. Yoga has the wholistic approach that can reduce stress, thus doing away with these lifestyle-related problems. However, you should have a disciplined approach towards it.

There is no regular term called ‘fertility yoga’. Yoga is holistic. It has postures for various kinds of problems and also there are certain postures that can help in the regular cycle of your biological clock. Hence, certain postures like Suktabaddakonasana and its variants along with proper breathing techniques can be practised to overcome fertility-related problems. Many of my students say it has helped them in their life.”