I frequently get asked the question: “Does fertility yoga really work?”
And here’s my answer…it depends
#1: It depends on what you mean by ‘work’. What would you consider success?
If success means reducing stress – which equals less cortisol & more balanced reproductive hormones – then YES – fertility yoga works.
And if by success you mean feeling more connected to your body, increased quality of life, reduced anxiety & depression, less inflammation, and better sleep – then yes, fertility yoga works.
If success means higher rates of IVF pregnancy & birth – research says YES – fertility yoga works! A literature review of 87 studies involving fertility and yoga concluded that those who regularly practiced a fertility-based yoga practice had beneficial physiological and psychological effects that significantly increased success rates of IVF and early pregnancy (Darbrandi et al, 2018). (1)
#2 It depends on how consistently you practice.
The majority of the research supporting yoga as a boost to fertility investigated fertility-based yoga programs that were a minimum of 6 weeks and up to 3 months.
If success means a guarantee of pregnancy after a couple of classes – then no…that’s not what fertility yoga is about.
To reap the benefits, you must put in some time.
#3 It depends on your attitude and intentions.
If you believe it will make positive changes to your fertility, it will.
If you’re coming to class skeptical and untrusting of the process, then it won’t.
#4 It depends on your fertility yoga teacher.
Do they share in your experiences with infertility, fertility treatment, or pregnancy loss?
Do they understand what poses are contraindicated (bad) and indicated (good) for certain times of ALL your cycles (menstrual, FET, Stim).
Do they incorporate all layers of yoga and not only asana?
Yoga for fertility is my passion – this is what I do. Read my story here.
Visit my shop for all my On-Demand Yoga Programs, including programs for FET, Early Pregnancy after IVF, how to cope after Miscarriage.
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