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Yoga Practice Raises Levels of DHEA in Women

July 22, 2015

If you are trying to conceive here’s one more reason to take off your shoes, put on some comfy pants and hop on your yoga mat! A recent study conducted in India found a 50% increase in the DHEAS levels in women who participated in a 12-week yoga program that included breathing, yoga postures and meditation practices. (1)


DHEAS (dihydroepiandosterone sulfate) is the precursor of the active form of the steroid hormone DHEA and is produced by our body’s adrenal glands. DHEAS levels peak around the age of 25 and then decrease naturally with age. Because DHEAS plays an important role in the formation of reproductive hormones, declining levels of this hormone are believed to play a role in the age-related decline in fertility.


In fact, many fertility specialists currently recommend that patients who are presenting with ovarian failure or who are not responding to fertility medications consider taking a nutritional supplement containing DHEA. While supplementation is a useful approach, many women report side effects from DHEA supplementation including mood swings and acne.


How is yoga impacting DHEAS levels? Researchers are not yet sure. Yoga, through breathing and the use of physical postures, stimulates the autonomic nervous system (ANS). The ANS is the “rest, nest and digest hormonal response that serves to balance the often over-active flight or flight stress response. Yogic exercise has also been shown to increase blood flow to internal organs and tissues. Better blood flow could result in healthier endocrine tissue and function.


Want to learn more about Yoga for Fertility? Join us for our Fertility Yoga 101-Mini Retreats!


Fertility Yoga 101-Chicago

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(1) Chatterjee S et al. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine Volume 2014, Article ID 240581, 15 pages

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Tips for Spring Restoration

February 18, 2025
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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