Fibroids and Cysts Control

Uterine fibroids are benign muscular tumours which grow from the smooth muscle layers of the uterus. They are the most common benign neoplasm in females. Other names used are: leiomyoma, leomyomata, myoma, fibromyoma, myofibromas. Fibroid tumours of the uterus are very common, but for most women, they either cause no symptoms or cause only minor symptoms. They can grow as a single tumour, or there can be many of them in the uterus.

Size varies from an apple seed to a grapefruit, and exceptionally they can be very large.Uterine fibroid are the most common benign tumors in the female reproductive tract. They can be as small as a millet seed or large enough to fill the entire abdominal cavity. Symptoms of fibroid rarely appear before age 30 but may include painful menstruation, excessive bleeding, and abnormal mucous discharge.

As fibroid grow, one’s yoga practice should be changed to accommodate them. Women with large, heavy fibroid should approach yoga as if they were pregnant. For them, supported poses like Supta Virasana (Reclining Hero Pose), Supta Baddha Konasana (Reclining Bound Angle Pose), and Salamba Setu Bandha Sarvangasana (Supported Bridge Pose) can be of great benefit.

• Bharadvaja’s Twist

  If you have uterine fibroids, focus on opening and softening the abdominal area to help the body accommodate fibroid growth by practicing twists like Bharadvaja’s Twist, or Bharadvajasana. To perform the twist, begin seated on your mat Bharadvajas Twistwith your legs extended straight in front of you. Shift your weight to the right, bend your knees and then swing your legs to the left, drawing the feet toward and behind your buttocks. Breathe into the twist by inhaling, lifting through the chest and then exhaling as you twist first your torso gently to the right. Turn the neck and then the face to the right, lengthening the spine and continually breathing and lifting through the chest to intensify the twist.

• Reclining Bound Angle Pose

  If you experience heavy menstrual periods and pain as part of your fibroid symptoms, a restorative practice — similar to the ones used by pregnant women to help ease discomfort and further open the abdomen — might help. To perform Reclining Bound Angle Pose, or Supta Baddha Konasana, begin by sitting on your mat with knees bent out to the sides and the soles of your feet touching. Place thick blankets on either side of your hips to support your thighs and bring greater ease to this restorative posture. Next, use your hands to support yourself as you lean back and then lie flat on the floor, keeping your knees bent outward and resting your bent knees on the blankets. Close your eyes, breathe deeply and focus on sending your groins deep down into your pelvis, widening the back pelvis and narrowing the front. Allow the knees to slowly and naturally move closer to the floor as you focus on your groins. Do not push the knees down actively.

• Supported Bridge Pose

  To perform the supported version of Bridge Pose, or Setu Bandha Sarvangasana, keep a block or bolster by your mat as you lie down on your back and bendSupported Bridge Pose your knees, drawing the feet as close to the buttocks as possible and keeping the arms straight at your sides. Exhale and push your tailbone up while pressing your feet firmly into the floor, lifting your buttocks off the ground and supporting yourself by placing the block or bolster beneath your sacrum. Draw your shoulder blades together and down your back, and maintain active thighs and arms for additional support.

• Reclining Hero Pose

  If you have uterine fibroids, you might also want to try Reclining Hero Pose, or Supta Virasana. However, it is important to note that this pose is an intermediate yoga posture and should only be practiced if you can already perform Hero Pose, a seated posture in which the buttocks sits on the floor between the feet, with relative ease. To transition from Hero Pose to Reclining Hero Pose, exhale and slowly lower your back toward the floor, using your hands and arms for support. If needed, place blankets beneath your back for added cushion and ease. Lay your arms on the floor slightly away from your body, with the palms facing upward. Keep the thighs parallel and the knees as parallel as possible. Do not allow the knees to fall any wider apart than hip’s width to prevent strain.

• Parsva Virasana

  In a kneeling position, sit in-between your heels. You may sit on a yoga block or towel if this is difficult. Place your right hand behind you and your left hand on your right knee and twist toward the right. Hold for 20 to 30 seconds and repeat on the other side.

• Standing Forward Bend

  Standing forward bend, or uttanasana, will lift and strengthen your uterus. While in a standing position, bend your knees slightly and bend forward placing your hands on the floor, yoga blocks, or a chair. Slowly straighten your knees by lifting your tailbone up toward the ceiling. Hold for 30 to 60 seconds and repeat twice.

• Inverted Staff Pose

  Inverted staff pose, or viparita dandasana, stretches the uterus and starves fibroids of blood, preventing them from growing. Stack two yoga bolsters on top of each other against a wall. Place a folding chair two feet in front of the bolsters and place a towel on the seat. Sit on the chair backwards, stretching your legs through the chair back. Lay backwards and respectively place your feet on the bolsters, upper back on the chair, and head on another bolster. Hang onto the legs of the chair and hold the pose for 30 to 60 seconds.