The Woman's Yoga Book: Asana and Pranayama for all Phases of the Menstrual Cycle

by Bobby Clennell

Presented by a leading yoga teacher, this unique yoga program aligns with your monthly cycle to promote optimal menstrual health

Senior Iyengar Yoga teacher Bobby Clennell brings decades of yoga study and teaching experience to  The Woman’s Yoga Book . She offers a comprehensive program of asana (yoga poses) and pranayama (breathing exercises) designed to support menstrual health from menarche to menopause, along with nutritional and lifestyle information for those times off the yoga mat.

Yoga sequences are given for each phase of the menstrual

   •  poses to stabilize
   •  poses to restore
   •  poses to rebalance
   • on through to poses to strengthen

In addition,  The Woman’s Yoga Book  offers sequences

   • PMS, irritability, tension, and moodswings
   • migraine headaches
   • bloating and breast tenderness
   • insomnia
   • cramps and lower back pain
   • heavy bleeding
   • scanty periods
   • absence of menstruation
   • irregular periods 

A former professional animator, Bobby has used her skill in rendering over 700 illustrations that teach right along with her text. Best of all, she encourages women to embrace the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being that comes from practicing women’s yoga. Begin the journey—now!

Genres: Health, Nonfiction, Spirituality, Womens

256 pages, Paperback

First published April 4, 2007

Reviews

[Tami · Rating 5 out of 5]

Except for reproductive purposes, I think most woman think very little about their cycles. When we are trying to conceive, we become interested in increasing our chances of reproductive success but apart from that our monthly cycle is more of a burden than anything. In our hectic lives, we don`t want anything slowing us down.

The Woman`s Yoga Book is about looking at our menstrual cycle in a different way. The female body is actually a pretty amazing design. We have these built in cycles that force us to slow down and replenish our strength and energy. When we ignore these gifts, we get worn out and lost in the chaos of everyday. However, if we learn to listen to our bodies, we find the perfect mechanisms to rebalance ourselves.

The Woman`s Yoga Book sets out guidelines about what types of yoga postures we should be doing at each step of our cycle. Be that stabilizing, restoring, rebalancing, or strengthening. Most importantly, this book teaches women to listen to the wisdom of our bodies. It may be inconvenient to care for ourselves but by pushing through we ignore the opportunity to gain the strength and clarity of mind necessary to do all the things we need to do each day.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wouldn't recommend this book to a) people trying to find out about yoga, or b) people looking for a new yoga routine. It uses a LOT of props (bolsters, blocks, straps, folded blankets), uses only the hard to remember Hindu (?) words for the positions, and has a organizational structure that leaves you doing way too much flipping through the book. This definitely convinced me that there is nothing that takes the place of a good yoga instructor.

That being said, I still found this book helpful. It does give a set of poses for various conditions women may have connected to their cycle, and set for the condition I wanted to address is not at all too complicated.

Also, if you're having trouble with headstands, etc., this book does tell you how to support those poses so they're easier to do.

[Triseugeny · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic book for women who would like to revolve their established yoga practice to their monthly cycle. Each section is divided into the different parts of the menstrual cycle with fully illustrated poses and descriptions. In addition, sections are also created for different asanas like standing and inversions. This book is a wonderful and beneficial asset to the library collection of a female yogini or teacher dedicated to Iyengar yoga.

[Cassandra L. Manna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an incredibly helpful book to explain how yoga can help women feel better at any stage of their cycle. Especially helpful if you’re in the process of learning to cycle sync. It provides step-by-step guides on each pose, the benefits of the poses, when to avoid such poses, and then provides entire flow sequences for each stage of your cycle, and flow sequences for healing various symptoms you experience.

Will be a much-thumbed referral guide.

Rate Procedure:

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - I loved the book so much I would reread it again and would recommended to a friend.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - Thoroughly enjoyed the book, could not do put it add down, would recommending to a friend, but do not need to read again.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ - Probably a good book that I enjoyed but there was something about it I did not love (e.g. The writing style, the POV, etc.). I would only recommend to a friend if it was their "type" of book.
⭐️⭐️ - A book I have below average feelings for and it would not come with a recommendation from me but I would mention it in conversation if related to the book topic at issue.
⭐️ - I finished the book but I hated every second of it.

[Crystal · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had high expectations for this book and feel let down. Some of the sequencing is not explained well (how to go from pose to pose fluidly) and would be very confusing for a complete beginner. The author makes elaborate claims about certain poses and their effects on the cycle. The book had some writing errors as if it was not edited.

I did enjoy the illustrations and reading about the menstrual cycle for a yogic perspective. The author showed a lot of supported variations for each pose and explained each pose very well. The last section of the book offers short sequences (5-7 poses) that are good for things like 'headaches and tension'. I thought that was great.

[Cherie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I accidentally picked this up and it is really good. It's a look at yoga for women, according to Iyengar philosophy - how you should practice at different times of your cycle. This should be a must for YTT and for prenatal yoga training prorams.

[Kr1t1 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Insight about menstruation cycle and its effect was fascinating. Asanas could have used more clarity as all this with props and without pros can get confusing sometimes.

[Sonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book, women centered yoga is something every woman should know about imo.

[Mariam Vahradyan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this after taking a workshop with Bobby herself. Shifted how I see my body go through changes throughout the month and how to respect it. Easy to follow illustrations though I would recommend some background knowledge of asana and prop usage.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

In an easy-to-read layout, Clennell gives us sequences to benefit our bodies during the different phases of the menstrual cycle. The additional wisdom shared about how to care for our female bodies is invaluable to me! She goes in depth into--and lays out more yoga sequences for--other topics such as diet, sleep, migraines, moods, and fibroid tumors. So far I've been incorporating the "During Your Period: Effortless Practice" into my routine and feel much stronger in the hips and legs, and I enjoy taking the time for myself to do yoga.

I would suggest not suggest this book to beginners, but to those who have taken a few yoga classes or already practice it on a regular basis.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

...a fantastic tool...
...another book that i borrowed from the library, but one that i would like to add to my permanent collection.
i think this one is a must for all female yogis!