Yoga for Menopause Relief (With Video Guides)
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Are you battling unpredictable hot flashes and sleepless nights? For menopausal women, even routine activities can become challenging as hormonal fluctuations trigger everything from mood swings to joint pain.
Yoga offers a natural approach that addresses both physical symptoms and emotional well-being through simple, accessible practices.
Menopause is a natural part of life, but that doesn’t mean you have to simply endure its symptoms. Hot flashes, insomnia, mood swings, and fatigue can make this transition feel overwhelming, leaving many women searching for relief.
The good news? You don’t have to navigate this phase alone, and there are natural ways to restore balance. Yoga for menopause offers a powerful, holistic approach to easing discomfort—helping you regain energy, improve sleep, and find calm amidst change.
As a yoga teacher and someone who has personally experienced the ups and downs of menopause, I’ve found immense relief through yoga. The breathing techniques, gentle movements, and restorative postures have not only helped me but also countless women I’ve worked with.
In this post, I’ll share the key yoga practices that have made a difference—along with video guides so you can experience their benefits firsthand.
Let’s explore how yoga can support you during menopause, offering tools to manage symptoms naturally while strengthening both body and mind.
Benefits of Yoga for Menopause
Yoga for menopause is a holistic practice that addresses the body, mind, and emotions, making it an ideal tool for managing the symptoms of this transition. By incorporating yoga into your routine, you can alleviate discomfort and enhance overall well-being. Here’s why yoga is particularly beneficial during this phase of life:
Stress & Anxiety Reduction
Menopause is often accompanied by increased stress and anxiety due to hormonal fluctuations. Yoga calms the nervous system, lowers cortisol levels, and promotes relaxation while it also improves mental clarity and focus.Improved Sleep & Relaxation
Insomnia is a common symptom of menopause. Practicing calming yoga poses and breathing exercises can help quiet the mind and prepare the body for rest.Joint & Bone Health
With declining oestrogen levels, bone density decreases, increasing the risk of osteoporosis. Yoga includes weight-bearing poses that can help maintain bone strength and improve joint flexibility, relieving stiffness and discomfort.Hormonal Balance
Certain yoga poses stimulate the endocrine system, which regulates hormones. This can help alleviate symptoms like mood swings and hot flushes.Improved Balance & Core Strength
Menopause often affects balance and coordination. Yoga strengthens the core and improves body awareness, which can reduce the risk of falls.Energy Boost
Yoga can increase energy levels without overexerting the body.Emotional Support
Yoga fosters a sense of self-compassion, acceptance, and mindfulness, helping women navigate the emotional ups and downs of menopause.
Breathing Exercises for Menopause Symptoms
1. Cooling Breath for Insomnia or Hot Flushes
The Sheetali Pranayama (Cooling Breath) is an effective technique for hot flushes and insomnia. It cools the body, calms the mind, and reduces stress.
How to Practice Sheetali Pranayama:
Sit in a comfortable position with your spine straight and shoulders relaxed.
Curl your tongue into a tube shape (or simply part your lips slightly if you can’t curl your tongue).
Inhale slowly through your curled tongue or parted lips, feeling the cool air enter your body.
Close your mouth and exhale slowly through your nose.
Repeat for 10-15 rounds.
This breath is cooling, soothing, and particularly helpful right before bed or during a hot flush.
2. Energizing Breath for Brain Fog or Fatigue
The Kapalabhati Breathing (Breath of Fire) is invigorating and clears mental fog. It energizes the mind and improves focus by increasing oxygen flow to the brain.
How to Practice Kapalabhati:
Sit in a comfortable position with your spine straight.
Take a deep breath in through your nose.
Exhale forcefully through your nose, pulling your belly button inward toward your spine with each exhale. The inhale happens passively.
Repeat this rhythmic exhale for 20-30 breaths, then take a deep breath and relax.
Start with 1-2 rounds and gradually increase as you feel comfortable.
Note: Avoid this practice if you feel lightheaded or have high blood pressure.
Restorative Yoga Poses for Menopause
1. Reclined Butterfly Pose (Supta Baddha Konasana)
This pose opens the hips and chest while promoting relaxation and reducing anxiety.
How to Practice:
Lie on your back with the soles of your feet together and knees falling outward. Option: have a bolster under your back, along the spine.
Place cushions or blocks under your knees for support.
Rest your arms by your sides, palms facing up.
Close your eyes and relax for 5-8 minutes.
2. Legs-Up-the-Wall Pose (Viparita Karani)
This pose improves circulation, reduces fatigue, and calms the nervous system.
How to Practice:
Sit sideways next to a wall, then lie back and swing your legs up against the wall.
Adjust your distance from the wall so your legs feel supported. Option: use a strap around your ankles to keep legs still and relaxed.
Rest your arms by your sides and close your eyes.
Stay in the pose for 5-8 minutes.
3. Child’s Pose (Balasana)
This pose gently stretches the lower back and hips while calming the mind.
How to Practice:
Kneel on the floor and sit back on your heels. Option: use bolster under your belly and chest.
Fold forward, stretching your arms out in front of you or resting them by your sides.
Rest your forehead on the floor or a cushion.
Stay in the pose for 3-5 minutes.
How Yogaia Classes Can Support You During Menopause
Yogaia's diverse class offerings can be particularly beneficial during menopause, providing natural relief for many common symptoms.
The gentle Relaxing Yoga sessions can help manage hot flashes and night sweats by activating the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting cooler body temperatures and better sleep quality.
Regular practice of their more Energizing Yoga classes may help balance fluctuating hormone levels while improving mood and reducing anxiety.
For bone health concerns during menopause, the HIIT & Strength workouts provide weight-bearing exercise crucial for maintaining bone density.
Yin Yoga and Meditation classes can be especially valuable for managing mood swings, irritability, and mental fog, while dedicated Stretching sessions may alleviate joint pain and stiffness that often accompany hormonal changes.
With Yogaia's flexible 24/7 access from any device, you can easily incorporate these supportive practices into your routine.
FAQ: Yoga for Menopause
What type of yoga is best for menopause?
Gentle and restorative yoga styles, such as Yin Yoga, Hatha Yoga, and Restorative Yoga, are particularly beneficial. These practices focus on relaxation, flexibility, and deep breathing, which help ease stress, improve sleep, and balance hormones. Additionally, strength-building yoga, like slow Vinyasa or Power Yoga with controlled movements, can be beneficial for maintaining muscle mass and improving bone health, which are crucial during menopause.
Can yoga increase estrogen levels?
While yoga for menopause does not directly increase estrogen levels, research suggests that it helps regulate the endocrine system, reducing stress-related cortisol spikes that can negatively impact hormone balance.
What is the best exercise for menopause?
A combination of yoga, strength training, and cardio (like walking, running, or swimming) is recommended. Weight-bearing exercises help maintain bone density, while yoga supports flexibility, balance, and relaxation.
Can yoga reverse perimenopause?
Yoga for menopause cannot reverse perimenopause, as it is a natural biological process. However, regular practice can alleviate symptoms like mood swings, insomnia, and joint pain, making the transition smoother and more manageable.
Final Thoughts
Menopause is a time of profound change, but yoga for menopause provides a safe, nurturing, and empowering way to navigate this transition. Whatever your symptoms, yoga offers tools to ease them, strengthen your body, and calm your mind. Every woman’s journey through menopause is unique, so listen to your body and adapt your practice to meet your needs.
Remember, yoga is not about perfection - it’s about connection. By practicing regularly, you can cultivate strength, resilience, and a deeper sense of self-compassion during this transformative phase of life.
Want to Learn More?
Here's a list of books and podcasts recommended by Patrica.
BOOKS:
- Dr. Louise Newton – The Definitive Guide to the Perimenopause & Menopause
- Maisie Hill – Perimenopause Power
- Davina McCall – Menopausing
- Stacey Sims – Next Level (about fitness during Menopause)
- Ross, Moffat and Smith – The Female Body Bible
APP:
- Balance - the Menopause App by Dr. Lousie Newton (not to be confused with: Balance the Meditation App)
PODCASTS:
- The Dr Louise Newton Podcast
- Owning Your Menopause
- Sex, Lies and Menopause