By Nora Simmons

The severe pain and heavy bleeding associated with endometriosis impacts nearly 5 million US women. While there’s no cure, yoga can help manage pain. Try these poses from Yoga for a Healthy Menstrual Cycle by Linda Sparrowe (Natural Solutions’ editor-in-chief) and Patricia Walden (Shambhala, 2004).

1. Legs-Up-the-Wall Pose (Viparita Karani). Helps balance your endocrine system, increase blood flow to your pelvic region, and calm the nervous system. Place a bolster or a thick blanket about three inches from the wall. Sit on the bolster so that your right hip and side are against the wall and then swivel your body around taking one leg at a time up the wall. Lie down so your lower back and ribs are supported by the bolster, and your head and shoulders rest on the floor. Bend your knees, cross your legs at the ankles, and remain in the pose for three to five minutes.

2. Cross Bolsters. Prevents you from gripping your uterine muscles and relaxes the pelvic floor. Set two blocks vertically against the wall a little wider than hip-width apart. Place one bolster horizontally on the floor and another vertically on top to form a cross. Sit at the center of the cross, and lie back away from the wall so that your shoulders and head are on the floor. Place your heels on the blocks, and rest in this position for a minute or two.