If you’re a woman who practices yoga, does the yoga studio or online class you attend support your feminine body? If you’re like me, you’ll discover that women are practicing forms of yoga developed by men and meant for the male body.
Yes, most women today are practicing yoga that’s designed for the male body.
Consider how most Yoga Teachers speak about menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause. What I’ve found is that these experiences are largely ignored or brushed aside. Yet I find this particular wellness space to be ideal for helping women cultivate a healthier relationship to their bodies.
Why isnt there a more female-centred yoga practice? And has there ever been one?
Introducing Vicki Noble. Vicki took this curiosity a step further and researched the “Female blood roots” of yoga. The concept being that there was a widespread female-centred yoga practice many moons ago and this style of yoga celebrated the natural feminine powers of “bleeding, birthing, healing and dying”.
Yoga was once reserved exclusively for upper-class society and men
Vicki’s research into this was quite ground breaking yet go-to Yoga magazine Yoga Journal never published her research. Thankfully, this information still spread as author Uma Tuli Dinsmore wrote a book called Yoni Shakti which turned yoga on its head and invited all women to see yoga as an empowering practice for feminine anatomy.
If you’re someone who attends yoga, can you imagine how a yoga based on the powers of menstruation, female sexuality, natural birth, and menopause might transform how women feel in their bodies?
There was a time when we honoured the female powers of bleeding and birthing. Where the powers of the female body were deeply celebrated and channeled for goodness in communities. The qualities of feminine energy such as kindness, love, and compassion were valued and utilized.
Then patriarchy took over and the Goddesses became witches and demons.
Does yoga today look back to that time before patriarchy and acknowledge women’s role in creating the roots of yoga?
Sadly, no. I’ve heard very little about women teachers and zero about the roots of women in creating yoga. In a class setting, the feminine experiences are rarely mentioned. At most, teachers may mention ‘don’t do an inversion if your menstruating’.
I’ve seen all the male teachers celebrated and shared: Iyenger, and K. Pattabhi Jois but not much about the female teachers. Why not share Indra Devi? (although this certainly brings up the topic of cultural appropriation)
Vicki Noble is a Feminist shamanic healer, author, scholar Wisdom teacher and she has done some incredible research into the roots of Yoga. I highly recommend her Motherpeace Tarot cards with artwork by Karen Vogel.
Most tarot cards only feature white men
Vicki’s tarot cards are a celebration of 30,000 years of divine women's culture. These cards will take you back to this rich lush time before patriarchy. Her tarot artwork was featured in the DIOR line. How exciting to see the deep feminine take over the high street.
Curious to explore a more woman-centred yoga? Get my free guide to reduce stress and boost womb health. It includes some potent womb yoga and womb meditation practices to get you started practicing a yoga designed for women.
Joss Frank | Yoga Therapist
Joss Frank
Hi! I’m Joss Frank, founder of Wild Womb. I understand how womb and body healing ignites when you look within for guidance because I self-healed from my painful periods, depression, anxiety, sexual assault, emotional and physical abuse… after years of failed efforts to feel better about myself. My failed efforts led to a revelation that true healing comes from within and it requires loving community.
Today, as a Yoga Therapist in my practicum, I help people with womb and body healing so they can reclaim their feminine power, LOVE their sacred feminine bodies, and feel more confident.