Build the Blood
July 20, 2023
Fertility Facts: Tips for Trying to Conceive
by Meredith Nathan, LMT, Pulling Down the Moon Massage Director, creator of the Fertility Enhancing Massage Protocol
Earlier this month we discussed how vital proper pelvic circulation is to reproductive health. So vital in fact that Traditional Chinese Medicine identified multiple infertility-related diagnoses regarding improper blood quantities and movement thousands of years ago (and they still remain true today). The circulation can become compromised in our body due to lack of movement, the wrong types of movement, diet, lack of helpful self-care, and stress.
Let’s look more closely at this concept of stress depleting blood flow. When we tense our muscles, slump our shoulders, shorten our breath, or clench our abdomen, pressure is exerted on the belly, restricting its movement. More intense levels of stress signals the body to redirect the blood from the abdomen to the legs, an ancient response that aids us in running from danger. Poor circulation can create adhesions and rigidity in our tissue and organs, which in turn blocks blood flow, which creates larger stagnation, leaving us more prone to injuries and scar tissue, which restrict blood flow, and around and around we go.
So how do we encourage healthy blood flow throughout our body, and especially in the pelvic organs? A nutrient dense diet rich in protein, iron, amino acids, fruits, and vegetables; applying heat on the muscles and abdomen, using an abdominal wrap, stretching, femoral massage; and gentle exercise are some of our best blood building buddies. Incorporating Fertility Enhancing Massage can go a long way towards improving reproductive blood flow, energy, qi, and healing! Try an Introduction to Fertility Massage today!
A word to the wise regarding picking your exercise program: when it comes to your fertility goals, not all workouts are created equal. A no-pain-no-gain mentality can be devastating to a potential pregnancy: the stress hormones high-intensity exercise creates can throw your hormones out of whack, not to mention most forms of cardio will send blood into your limbs, effectively ‘stealing’ it from your abdomen. Focusing on gentle forms of exercise for your fertility, like walking, swimming, and Yoga for Fertility can help relieve stress, get the blood moving, and can actually benefit your fertility blood flow as you go! Join the specialized, research based Yoga for Fertility Series Online or in Chicago today!
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Spring arrives next month, and with it, more cold days (perhaps even snow)! But March also brings the promise of new life. We love this time of year. The ground starts to smell fresh and ripe. Small green buds begin to swell from the earth reaching up, up, up. Birds chatter in the trees. The sun stays in the sky a little longer each day. After a long, cold winter of hibernation, spring restores nature’s beauty. Spring inspires us to restore ourselves, too and these self-care techniques will lead you to restoration of mind, body and spirit. Hydrate. Drink a glass or two of water first thing in the morning. Keeping yourself hydrated helps boost your mood, improves brain power and protects you against disease. Make a gratitude list. Spending just a few minutes a day writing down what you are grateful for can dramatically shift your day. The more gratitude you have, the more open to abundance you become. Breathe. Set aside a few minutes each day to practice breathing. There are so many benefits! Among them, diaphragmatic breathing alleviates stress, reduces pain, strengthens internal muscles and moves blood to organs and tissues. If you’re not sure how to get started, try our Breathe & Restore Workshop or schedule an Soothe the Senses: Calm the Nervous System Fertility Enhancing Massage™ to receive some hands-on breath work coaching. Stretch. Five to 10 minutes of stretching in the morning increases energy levels, enhances circulation, reduces injury and centers your mind. Even better is a regular yoga practice. Get started by downloading the Fully Fertile App today to give you a jump start! Our next Signature Yoga for Fertility Series begins on Monday, February 24th to reduce anxiety and stress by 20% or more in just six weeks. Eliminate something from your diet that isn’t serving you. I nstead of overhauling your entire diet, start by taking out one food that doesn’t nourish your body. Replace it with a different item that supports your desire for restoration. Learn even more by working with scheduling a nutrition consult ! We look forward to seeing you virtually or in-person at one of our centers to help you get started. Many wishes for a beautiful spring!
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