Yoga for fertility and conception

As we spend more time in front of machines engaging with technology, the greater is our loss of connection with all things human. This disconnected lifestyle has led to uni-dimensional approach to life increasing stress levels and anxiety disorders.

Procreation is a natural process which may call for natural remedies for rejuvenation and relaxation. Unchanged data show no change in fertility rates over the last 20 years. This indicates to at least 50 million couples worldwide who experience infertility. The ancient science of Yoga recommends the following practices for improving levels of fertility in both men and women.

Asana Brahmacharya asana

Formation of the posture

Begin by sitting with your legs extended forward

Place your palms on the floor next to your thighs

Lean your torso forward and exhale completely

Put pressure on your palms, engage your core, inhale and lift your legs off the ground

Ensure that your knees are kept straight and your toes point up

Hold the posture for a few seconds

Word of advice

You may experience a muscle cramp in your thighs when you practice this the first few times. In such a case, you must release from the posture and massage your thighs before it worsens

Refrain from practicing this posture if you recently underwent an operation on any digestive organ

Vajrasana

Formation of the posture

Begin by standing straight with your arms by the sides of your body

Lean forward and slowly drop your knees on your mat

Place your pelvis on your heels and point your toes outward

Here, your thighs should press your calf muscles

Keep your heels slightly apart from each other

Place your palms on your knees facing upward

Straighten your back and look forward

Hold this asana for a while

Word of advice: Avoid doing this asana if you have a knee or ankle injury.

Breathing methodology: Softly inhale and exhale.

Pranayama KapalBhati

In Sanskrit, 'Kapal' means skull and 'bhati' means 'shining/illuminating'. Therefore, this KapalbhatiPranayam is also known as Skull Shining Breathing Technique.

Method

Sit in any comfortable pose (such as Sukhasan, Ardhapadmasan or Padmasana)

Straighten your back and close your eyes

Place your palms on your knees facing up (in Prapthi Mudra)

Inhale normally and focus on exhaling with a short, rhythmic and forceful breath

You can use your stomach to forcefully expel all the air from the diaphragm and lungs by compressing it

Inhalation should happen automatically while you decompress your stomach

Khand Pranayam

The Sanskrit word, 'Khand' means piece or segment.

Sit in any comfortable pose (such as Sukhasan, Ardhapadmasan or Padmasana)

Straighten your back and close your eyes

Place your palms on your knees facing up (in Prapthi Mudra)

As you inhale, divide your breath into two equal parts

Without retaining the breath in your lungs, exhale twice

Surya Namaskar and Chandra Namaskar

Surya Namaskar - 12 Steps make half the cycle

Pranam asana (The Prayer pose)

Hastha Utanasana (Raised arm pose)

Padahastasana (Standing forward bend)

AshwaSanchalanasana (Equestrian pose)

Santholanasana (Plank Pose)

Ashtanga Namaskar Asana (Eight limbed salutation)

Bhujangasana (Cobra pose)

AdhoMukhaSvanasana (Downward dog pose)

AshwaSanchalanasana (Equestrian pose)

Padahastasana (Standing forward bend)

HasthaUtanasana

Pranam asana

Repeat the 12 steps with the left leg moving in and out secondto make one complete cycle

Chandra Namaskar - 14 steps make half the cycle

Pranam asana (The Prayer pose)

HasthaUtanasana (Raised arm pose)

Padahastasana (Standing forward bend)

AshwaSanchalanasana (Equestrian pose)

Inhale and bend back (Ardha Chandra asana)

Santholanasana (Plank Pose)

Ashtanga Namaskar Asana (Eight limbed salutation)

Bhujangasana (Cobra pose)

AdhoMukhaSvanasana (Downward dog pose)

AshwaSanchalanasana (Equestrian pose)

Inhale and bend back (Ardha Chandra asana)

Padahastasana (Standing forward bend)

HasthaUtanasana

Pranam asana

Repeat the 14 steps with the Right leg to make it 1 complete cycle

Shanth DhyanShanth Dhyan

Shanth Dhyan - Meditation technique for breath awareness.

Sit down in any comfortable position, close your eyes gently.

Keep the spine erect, with relaxed shoulders

Softly inhale and exhale

Observe your breath as you inhale and exhale

To resolve the issue of fertility, it is perhaps advisable that we reduce the time spent in mundane activities. Instead, adopt a more holistic approach to life through practices such as Yoga, reconnecting with nature and spending more time with our loved ones.

We need to learn to adopt a calmness of attitude and to balance our energies. These changes may result in transformation of our thought process thus positively affecting our physiology and fertility health.

(-The author is a yoga master, spiritual guide, lifestyle coach, yoga entrepreneur)