Jacqui Doyle practices yoga from her private studio in St. Albans, where she teaches 1:1 clients as well as group classes. When everything went online this year, as it has done for so many of us, Jacqui saw the opportunity to introduce a restorative Hormone Balancing class to her repertoire. I recently spoke to Jacqui about this class to understand how it can help those that are struggling with hormone imbalances.
What is the link between yoga and our hormones?
Among the many benefits that set yoga apart from other forms of physical exercise is the effect yoga postures and breathing practices have, not only on the muscles and bones of the body, but also on your organs and glands. The sequences of poses that we practice in this class stimulate the ovaries and pituitary gland which trigger our hormone production.
What other systems in the body does yoga benefit?
These postures have a calming, soothing and quieting effect on the nervous system and when practiced regularly can help ease the symptoms of hormone imbalances as well as peri-menopause and menopause.
By introducing a regular practice which includes all the categories of poses, standing, sitting, laying down, back and forward bends, twist and inverted (upside down) poses we will stimulate and activate all the glands, organs, tissues, and cells of the body.
I understand you have a particular interest in peri-menopause and the menopause, why is yoga helpful during this life stage?
Yoga’s inverted poses are particularly important during menopause as they have a powerful effect on the neuroendocrine system, allowing fresh oxygenated blood to flow to the glands in the head and neck.
What about those that suffer with stress relief?
Stress is one of the biggest factors that affect our hormone balance so if we can learn the tools to bring stillness to the mind and calm the nervous system this will help to balance our hormones.
Tell us a little more about your hormone balancing class?
I typically run this 1hr15min class on a Tuesday evening at 20:00 GMT and we use pillows or bolsters to help support our bodies through poses. The practice is finished with a 15 minute yoga Nidra session. Also known as yogic sleep, Nidra is a state of consciousness between waking and sleeping.
Yoga Nidra helps activate the relaxation response and improves the functioning of your nervous system and endocrine system which affects your hormones. Also yoga Nidra helps cells regenerate and repair which in turn helps decrease anxiety and improves your mood.
If you are interested in booking a session with Jacqui, head to her website here.
