According to the British Menopause Society, around 18% of women find that their joints become sore and achy at menopause. In fact, ‘menopausal arthralgia’ as it’s medically known is a common, though not well known, symptom. Stiff, sore joints can make you feel really uncomfortable – and miserable! – but this yoga practice will ease joint pain, giving body and mind a little TLC.
What to expect?
The practice is really easy – no pretzel-like bending required! – and is a lovely way to start your day. We like to do this one in the morning before work in our PJs, but you can do it at any time of the day to ease stiff, sore joints while boosting your mood. By gently warming and stretching from head to toe, you’ll find that joint pain eases, and you’ll finish it feeling more comfortable. What’s more, we find it a real mood booster, helping to us start the day feeling centered, positive and ready for whatever life (and menopause!) throws at us.
What will you need?
You can do this practice wearing anything you like, and the only things you’ll need are something comfy to sit – on the floor – and a couple of cushions. If you’ve done yoga before and have some yoga props, grab your mat, and a couple of blocks, or a bolster.
About Uma Dinsmore-Tuli
Uma has 20 years experience of sharing yoga therapy for women’s health, though she started her yoga career aged four, joining her mom watching Yoga on TV. Her career since has been just as intellectually curious and enquiring, spanning different schools of yoga and yoga therapy including Structural Yoga Therapy, Satyananda Yoga and Iyengar Yoga. Uma gained her Yoga Biomedical Trust Diploma in Yoga Therapy in 1999, and subsequently trained in Structural Yoga Therapy and Ayurvedic Yoga Therapy, and worked as a yoga therapist with special expertise in women’s health. She is a recognised teacher of the British Wheel of Yoga, and is an International Association of Yoga Therapists’ Certified Yoga Therapist (C-IAYT).
Check out our expert yoga advice, tips and exercises.
You might also be interested in…
Yoga for hot flashes by Jane Dowling and Whoever stole my body, please return it immediately – Angi Egan, Menopause Blogger
