Dear friends,
I hope this message finds you well.
With the month of love approaching
and so many of my clients seemingly
already diving deep into
the theme of love and relationships,
I'm sharing below a few secrets
from Ayurveda on yoni (vaginal) self-care
for women.
What I love about the Ayurveda approach
is that it brings us back to our own bodies
with so much love, wisdom, reverence
and practicality.
Enjoy the teachings & have a great week.
With love,
Briya
Yoni Self-Care Secrets for the Modern Woman
“You do not understand your features. Your features are not your beautiful nose, your beautiful cheeks, beautiful lips, and so on. These are not your features. Your features are your beautiful behavior, your beautiful character, your beautiful health, your beautiful spirit, your beautiful advice, your beautiful wisdom, your beautiful inspiration.”
- Yogi Bhajan
Dedicated to all those who have a yoni (vagina) and all those who love them, here are a few tips from the wisdom of Ayurveda on natural yoni care:
Bathe & wash daily. Bidet, anyone? Most cultures outside North America use water to wash the vagina and bum after using the toilet, especially after bowel movements. This may not always be possible, but using water to wash occasionally can be very helpful in supporting better hygiene in your lower body.
Let Yourself Breathe: Cotton underwear and pants are the best options for letting the yoni breathe. Ideally, sleep with no undergarments on. Try not to overdo it with tights, pantyhose or anything made of plastic.
Be gentle: Most western medicine & body care (such as tampons, pads /birth control, douches, scented feminine hygiene products) actually contain harsh chemicals which weaken female genitalia and disrupt the balance of delicate vaginal flora.
In general, plain water is best for cleaning your yoni (or you can use a natural soap without perfume). For the menstrual cycle, our best options are those which allow the natural flow (cloth or organic pads). Avoid harsh soaps, gels, douches. When washing underwear, replace any perfumed detergents can be replaced with a natural alternative. A healthy yoni has a sweet, attractive smell that's actually a sign of fertility and good health.
Tend to your gut flora. Good digestion is a foundation for healthy vaginal flora. Take care of your digestion, minimize junk food and incorporate healthy foods, herbs and minerals into your diet -- such as ginger, garlic, black pepper, cinnamon, triphala, homemade kefir, kimchi, neem, aloe and tulsi. If you have chronic yeast infections, you may want to speak to our Ayurvedic physician to identify the right herbal formula for you to heal it!
Nourishing fertility. Women wanting to have children can turn their attention to nurturing their shukra dhatu, or building reproductive tissues. Foods that nourish the reproductive tissue and boost fertility include fresh, organic produce, asparagus and broccoli, dairy, soaked almonds and walnuts, date milkshakes, ghee, and rice pudding, among other options. We'll talk more about this in our series!
Choose your lovers wisely: Sexual energy is one of the most powerful forces on the planet. Choose a partner who you trust and who treats you with love and respect. This supports not only the health of your yoni but also your heart, mind and spirit. Periods of abstinence are also healthy in periods of healing, in the midst of transition or in waiting for a suitable partner to show up.
Prioritize self-care. The fast pace of today's world can have a drastic impacts on our health and vitality. Making our daily self-care routines a priority can have a profoundly beneficial impact on our physical and mental well-being, serving as a foundation for our self-confidence, vitality, sexual health and prosperity. A few Ayurvedic daily routines, such as breathwork and meditation, can go a long way to support health, vitality and body connection.
Love your body the way it is. Our bodies honestly do listen to what we think, feel and speak to ourselves. Learn to love your body the way it is, speak to it sweetly, and see how it responds. When you start from a place of love and self-acceptance, you may be surprised how much more deeply your self-care rituals become aligned with healing and empowerment.
Curious to learn more about Ayurveda?
Our next series on Ayurveda Self-Care is here