Chair Yoga Guide to Balancing Hormones Naturally

Is There a Way to Regulate Hormones Naturally?

The biggest threat to our modern-day couch potato lifestyle is the disruption of the OAT axis. Confused about what 'OAT' means? The O-A-T axis is - the ovaries, adrenal glands, and thyroid working together.

These three are the best buds of your hormonal system. They manage your stress levels, energy spikes, and metabolism. But here's the thing: the ill effects of our chair-glued lifestyle can mess up this delicate natural hormone regulation system in our body, and that's how we end up in a crisis.

Why is Finding Ways to Balance Hormones Essential?

We are often asked: Why should I care about getting into holistic hormone balance?

And here is what our Senior Yoga Consultant, Dr Abirami Prakash, explains every time, "It's like choosing to tidy up the office mess step by step rather than just throwing everything into a closet and hoping for the best. This implies that one needs to tackle the root cause—cutting down on stress, eating better, and moving more—by doing so, you're not just fixing things temporarily". 

You're setting yourself up for natural hormone regulation. In other words, you are following your path to a healthier, happier life in the long run. It's all about supporting your body through natural remedies to balance hormones.

Practising Chair Yoga is a Definitive Way to Regulate Your Hormones Naturally

Now, let's discuss how chair yoga comes in handy to assist hormonal regulation. To be precise, it's one of the best ways to balance hormones naturally. It's a form of yoga that's super easy to get into because, guess what? All you need is a chair! This means you can perform chair yoga practices anywhere—at home, at work, or even while waiting for herbal tea at a cafe!

How Does It Help?

Chair yoga includes a series of simple poses and sequences that anyone can follow. It focuses on stretching, strengthening, and relaxing your body, balancing the OAT axis, and— oh yeah—natural hormone regulation.

Your hormones will find their happy place again. 

For instance, a gentle spinal twist can help wake up your digestive system, while a forward bend can calm your mind and relieve stress. Plus, those deep breaths and relaxed muscles can improve your energy flow, making you feel more lively and energetic. Indeed great natural ways to balance hormones in females.

Don't you think so? You can let our experts know by booking a free consultation with them!

So, get going! Give your body this mini-vacation every time you sit down to stretch and breathe. Your OAT axis and your mood will thank you.

10 Chair Yoga Poses to Help You Achieve Holistic Hormonal Balance

Here are 10 chair yoga poses tailored to support hormonal balance. Remember, the key is to move gently and listen to your body, making adjustments as needed.

1. Seated Mountain Pose

How to Perform? 

• Sit tall at the edge of your chair, feet flat on the floor, hands resting on your thighs.
• Inhale, extend your spine and roll your shoulders down and back as you exhale.
• For more support, sit back in the chair with a straight back.

This pose helps improve posture and relieve stress. How? It encourages deep, mindful breathing, crucial for naturally balancing female and stress hormones.

2. Chair Cat-Cow Stretch

How to do it?

• Let's start by placing your hands on your knees. Inhale, arch your back and look up towards the ceiling for Cow. Exhale around your spine, tucking your chin to your chest for Cat.
• For those seeking more from this stretch, try placing your hands behind your head as you move through the poses.

You know what? It's a fantastic way to stimulate your thyroid gland, regulating metabolism and energy levels.

3. Seated Twist

Let's break it down. Shall we?

• Start by sitting tall; place your right hand on the back of the chair and your left hand on your right knee. Inhale to lengthen the spine, and exhale as you gently twist to the right.
• If you're looking for a modification for a gentler twist, you can support your twist with the armrests.

Do you know what this twist exactly does? It stimulates digestion and detoxification, which is one of the best ways to balance hormones in the gut. 

4. Seated Forward Bend

• Inhale and raise your arms overhead. As you exhale, fold from your hips, lowering your hands towards your feet or shins.
• Try To modify it by bending your knees slightly if you feel discomfort in your lower back. 
• This pose is my personal favourite because it calms the nervous system and reduces the adrenaline rush, promoting relaxation and hormonal balance.

5. Chair Pigeon Pose

• To master this pose - Sit with your back straight and place your right ankle on your left knee, keeping the right knee in line with your ankle. Gently lean forward for a deeper stretch.
• If you feel your knee is struck in this posture, then gently press down on it with your hand.

It's a go-to go to open the hips, reducing stress and tension that affect reproductive hormones. Thus regulating hormones without birth control.

6. Seated Warrior II

• Ease into it by sitting sideways on the chair with your left leg stretched out to the side and your right foot on the floor.
• Extend your arms to the sides and gaze over your right hand.
• If you want to dive a little deeper, try turning your head to look over your backhand for more intensity.

You might wonder, what does this pose do? It energises the body, improves circulation, and boosts endorphins, the body's natural mood elevators.

7. Seated Extended Side Angle

• Step into Action From Warrior II, rest your right forearm on your right thigh. Extend your left arm overhead, stretching the left side of your body.
• For a more accessible version, keep both arms extended to the side, parallel to the floor.

One of its boons, when it comes to this stress reduction pose is that it stretches the side of the body, enhancing the  lung capacity and oxygenation.

8. Chair Eagle Pose

• Let's get into the posture by crossing your right thigh over your left thigh, and if possible, wrap your right foot around your left calf. Cross your left arm over your right arm, joining palms if you can. Sit tall and hold.
• If you can't do this, try crossing your legs at the ankles and arms at the elbows without wrapping.

It's the best posture for improving focus and balance, regulating hormones like cortisol levels, and promoting a sense of calm.

9. Seated Neck Stretch

• Let's start by sitting tall. Drop your right ear towards your right shoulder, place your right hand over your head, and gently stretch the left side of your neck.
• Feeling too intense? Then, keep both hands on your lap for a gentler stretch.
• Its biggest perk is that it relieves neck and shoulder tension, which often holds stress and affects overall hormonal health.

10. Breath of Joy

• Are you confused about where to start? Firstly, Inhale in three short bursts through the nose as you raise your arms in front: first to the front, then to the sides, and finally overhead—Exhale with a long sigh through the mouth as you fold forward, arms sweeping back.
• If you feel dizzy or have high blood pressure, you can modify it by performing the arm movements without the forward fold. 

Its instant benefit is that it uplifts your mood, increases oxygen flow, and balances energy levels, directly impacting your hormonal well-being.

Cheers to Practising the Best Ways to Balance Hormones! 

Would you like to raise a healthy herbal tea toast while you choose to practise chair yoga with us at Nirva? If you're vibing with chair yoga and curious about diving deeper, why not check out a trial session with Nirva? 

We customise everything to fit what you're looking for, helping you find that sweet balance spot. Nirva's here to support you, whether you want to calm down after a stressful day or set up your fitness routine. So, try out those chair yoga moves, and when you're ready, Nirva's just a booking away. Let's balance those hormones together!