Tackling menstrual problems

As you enter into your periods, the hip and groin region are most affected because tremendous changes occur in your body.  You may feel bloated, sore and slightly weak with low energy.  These exercises are designed to loosen up your groin area and re-vitalise the internal organs which take a beating because the blood is moving towards your genital and reproductive organs.

Caution: Exercises one and two should be performed slowly. Those with backache should not overstretch. Those with hernia, hyper-thyroid and peptic ulcers should avoid this posture. Those with enlarged thyroid should avoid exercise three. Those suffering from sciatica, slipped discs and serious back conditions, should avoid exercise four.

Exercise 1

• Sit with the legs straight out and the back straight

• Spread your legs apart, bend your knees and bring the heels together. Pull the heels towards the groin

• Inhale as you raise your arms up, exhale and stretch forward as shown

• Hold for 10-30 seconds, breathing normally

• Inhale as you slowly raise your arms and come back to the start position.

Exercise 2

• Sit with one knee bent on the ground; place the other leg across it

• With the opposite arm, lock the knee from the outside and grasp the foot

• Fold the other arm behind the back, twist the spine and look back

• Hold for 10-30 seconds, breathing normally

• Repeat with the other side.

Exercise 3a

• Lie on the stomach with the chin on the floor and the palms under the thighs

• Inhale and raise the right leg as high as you can

• Hold for a few seconds, breathing normally

• Exhale and lower the leg

• Repeat with the other side.