written by: Michelle Davidson

Kevin and Lisa sit silently in their doctor’s office. They do not speak, yet inside both of their heads they are thinking, “maybe this will be the one...it has to happen this time…”

But when the doctor enters the room, a somber look on his face, they immediately know it is not the time. Once again, their hopes are met with the disappointing news that the in-vitro fertilization procedure was unsuccessful.
For thousands of unfortunate couples, this is an all-too-familiar scene. The reality is that in the United States, infertility effects more than 10% of the population, and while many medical advances have been made in the field of reproductive medicine, the number of infertility cases continues to rise. Consequently, reproductive medicine has grown to become one of the most lucrative industries in medical history, with vulnerable patients willing to spend enormous amounts of money on the chance to fulfill their dreams of parenthood.

But traditional reproductive medicine often involves invasive procedures and can become far too expensive for many couples; moreover, success rates remain relatively low. So it is no wonder more and more educated couples are turning to alternative methods to deal with fertility challenges.

While infertility can have various organic causes, it can also be a direct result of stress. Clearly, there is plenty of anecdotal evidence to support this theory. Many of us know couples who, after years of struggling with infertility, finally adopt a child and then miraculously conceive. Similarly, there are plenty of couples who try to unsuccessfully to conceive, and yet are finally able to when they remove themselves from the stresses of their daily lives and go on a much needed vacation. Today, so many of us, men and women alike, are under tremendous pressure at work; gone are the nine-to-five work days of the past, and with the increasing use of emails, cell phones, and other communication devises, time away from the office does not necessarily mean time off from work.. It is not surprising then, that in this day and age, it has become increasingly difficult to relax and unwind. And when the body is stressed, it knows this is not the optimal environment for procreation.

So how do we regain that energy, refuel the body, and let go of all the tensions resulting from work and other environmental stresses? One way is through the path of yoga and meditation. Yoga works to improve both the physical and mental body; it emphasizes a healthy lifestyle, and it restores balance to the hormonal and endocrine systems. All this can have a significant effect on a person with fertility challenges.
In Yoga tradition there are seven major chakras, or energy centers, within the body. Each of these energy centers corresponds to a specific zone of nerve crossings within the spinal column. They correspond to the major plexuses, or aggregations of nerves and ganglia, in the central nervous system, and they are said to govern the functioning of particular glands and organ systems within the body. According to yogic thought, by connecting with and “clearing” these chakras, a person can become more balanced. For the purpose of enhancing fertility, an individual can focus on balancing the chakra that corresponds to the reproductive system. This chakra is called the sacral chakra, and is said to govern the functioning of the female reproductive system.

Yoga asanas, or postures, can be beneficial to the opening and balancing of the chakras, as each posture brings attention to each region or energy center in the body. In order to focus on the above-mentioned sacral chakra, an individual can practice yoga asanas that emphasize the balancing of this area. Examples include the “pigeon” pose or the “frog” pose. To recreate hormonal balance, an individual can work on activating the endocrine system, especially the ovaries or testes, the hypothalamus, and the pituitary glands. This can be done by practicing low back bends, pyramid stretches, or the cobra and child poses, in addition to the poses mentioned earlier.

To further enhance a person’s ability to connect with a particular chakra, color healing, or the use of colored lights during yoga and meditation, can be used. Because these chakras are thought to be “circles of light”, each one is said to vibrate at a different speed and frequency. Consequently, each one can also be paired with the color of light that vibrates at the corresponding frequency. If light therapy is used in conjunction with poses, it can aid a participant in tuning into his or her chakras.

Moreover, during this type of exercise, participants can engage in repetitions of positive affirmations. As a result, not only are they reaping the physical benefits of toning and stretching, they are experiencing the mental benefits of slowing down the breath and incorporating yogic meditation techniques. While yoga is known for its ability to heal and bring peace of mind, many yoga students have difficulty making the connection between their thoughts and their bodies. By focusing on the breath and a single, positive affirmation that corresponds with a particular pose and chakra, individuals can achieve a more poignant experience as they maintain their focus throughout each pose. If a woman is trying to address imbalances in her reproductive system, she can repeat positive affirmations about fertility while engaging in poses that also correspond to that area of the body. After all, the power of positive thinking is something many of us accept in other areas of our lives, so it makes sense that it could be applied in this arena, as well.

While modern science has made many advances in the field of reproductive medicine, ancient practices may still be of great value to those seeking help with infertility problems. At the very least, taking a yoga class with colored lights and positive affirmations may improve a person’s physical and mental well-being, increase energy levels, and reduce stress. At the very best, this improved mental and physical state may help clear barriers to pregnancy, whether it is used in conjunction with conventional medicine or alone.