Women’s Health

The health or wellbeing of individuals, male or female, is determined to a large extent by the stresses and strains they face and the manner in which they cope with them. The health status of a woman, whether she is a home-maker or a career professional is much at risk owing to the “key-roles” she plays at home and in the work place. With the current trends of women’s empowerment and increased employment of women, the consequent role expansion has led to the build up of pressure and tension, which makes the health status of women a priority.

The Phase in a Woman’s life

There are different phases in a woman’s life cycle, which place characteristic demands on her. These may be understood as the natural phases marked by physiological growth and simultaneously, the shifts in roles played by the woman in different phases of her life. Till the onset of puberty, the challenges faced by a girl child physically, emotionally or socially are no different from that of her male counterpart. The onset of the menstrual cycle marks animportan milestones. Many young girls experience disturbed or irregular cycles for a while after onset of menarche. Further, they have to deal with the emotional impact of changing hormones.

Stages in the life of a woman

Stepping into a relationship and marriage and the necessity of adapting to new relationships marks the next shift in the life of a woman. The next significant change undergone by a women is marked by conception, the ensuing pregnancy and child-birth. The post-natal phase in a woman’s life is marked by a gradual decrease in hormonal levels which were previously elevated to maintain the pregnancy The period of child-rearing, role conflicts and the demands of a growing family, not to mention balancing a career for many, is a critical phase in which self-care of utmost importance. Through middle age, most women and men experience similar problems, with the exceptions of health issues pertaining to menstruation and the uterine functions In the menopausal phase women experience the gradual reduction of estrogen, which marks the culmination of the fertile phase in a woman’s life Fluctuating hormone levels contribute to symptoms such as insomnia, osteoporosis, weight gain, mood swings, digestive issues, irritability, hot flushes, and so on This menopausal period could last anywhere from a couple of years to more, with intensity of symptoms experienced differing vastly. However, a large percentage of women who are active and maintaining a certain level of physical fitness and moderation in diet, experience lesser disturbances in their overall quality of life during menopause Further, at a psychological level, several women experience the “empty-nest” syndrome, wherein their children have grown up and have their own families and lives.

Women and Yoga If inadequately prepared for each of these changes in her life, the crossing of each phase will take a lot out of the woman, and she often pays for it through failing health. Yoga, as a holistic system, offers women practitioners a stable anchor – physically, physiologically, emotionally and spiritually

Benefits of Yoga practice for women

Yoga for women is not only a therapeutic tool but also an essential means of health promotion. Appearance and social acceptance are of foremost concern for many women. Posture and physical fitness are also related, with one affecting the other. Poor posture can cause muscle strain, cramping of internal organs and can interfere with circulation. Good posture attained through asana practice, can help in proper weight distribution and leads to good muscle tone and coordination. This is why Sri T Krishnamacharya often referred to yoga as a “sarira shilpa shastram,” the science of architecture of the body. For a good posture, the centre of gravity of many body parts – feet, legs, hips, trunk, shoulders and head must be in a vertical line. Yoga asana-s and pranayama enable proper posture of the body, which adds to the personality, develops confidence and brings a brightness to the face.

As somatic oriented palliative techniques aimed at inducing relaxation and calmness at the mental level, asana, pranayama, visualisation and related techniques have been proven to be highly effective in helping women adapt to life situations.