Queen's Pose for Female Problems



Today's post is geared toward women, but anyone with lower abdominal stagnation or upper respiratory issues can benefit from this restorative pose.  For those with severe monthly female cramps or other female problems, this pose is extremely beneficial.  It allows your upper chest to open and clear, and for your lower abdominal area to open and drain.  How often you do this relaxing exercise is dependent upon your health needs.

I will share one success story with you as an example of how affective this exercise can be.  I recommended doing this exercise daily to a young girl in her early twenties years ago.  She had already changed her diet and was eating well, yet she was incapacitated, unable to get out of bed, one or two days a month at the start of her cycle.  This had been going on since her early teens. 

After doing this pose faithfully for 10 - 15 minutes a day for a month, she had NO cramps or problems at all.  She continued for 4 or 5 months, symptom free.  No more drugs to alleviate symptoms or wasted time in pain!  Cures can really be this simple, but it requires diligence and commitment.  As we all tend to do, after feeling good for several months, she slacked off and stopped.  Within the month, her being incapacitated for a full day or two in bed was back. 

Whether or not you have female monthly symptoms, this is a great exercise for all women, no matter what your age.  For general health purposes, try to do it once or twice a week for 10 to 15 minutes.  It is very good for the spine and for reducing stress.  This is supposed to feel good, so get more blankets for support if you need them.  Also, set up in a peaceful, quiet space.  Turn off the radio and TV.

I have a yoga bolster which I use - this is essential for this exercise because I think is it hard to duplicate with something you have around the house.  I also have a yoga block and blankets, but you could easily substitute a hard block of wood and towels that you have on hand for these.

 

Set up your props as shown in the photo.  It is important to have a strong enough block to hold the bolster up when you are leaning back against it.  The aqua green block in the background in the above photo is too small and topples when I lean back.  The thicker purple block shown works great for me.  A bolster is needed because it is firm enough that it does not collapse when you lie back on it.  The round cylindrical shape is important so that your spine is supported but your shoulders can round back over it.  You need to be on a nonslip surface, such as a yoga mat so the bolster does not slip out from under you.  Towels or blankets provide support under your legs so you can rest in the position.  You will want two additional blankets to support your arms if your elbows do not reach the floor.

 

After you have set up your props, sit on the floor with your buttocks back against the bolster.  Gently lie back and bring the soles of your feet up together with your legs spread apart to the sides as shown.  Place the blankets under your legs for support.  Let your shoulders open back against the bolster and your arms lie on the ground, palms up, as shown.  Place towels or blankets under your arms also, if they need support.  This should be a calming, restful position.  Hold for 5 to 15 minutes.