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Sorry not sure where to put this one. I get bad menstrual cramps. I heard that some practises (particularly the more dynamic practises like ashtanga and hatha vinyassa) are not good for people who have menstrual problmes like cramping, and becuase we use bundhas a lot in our practise in it can make menstrual problems worse. Has anyone else heard that?

Hi Amanda - I'm no specialist in this area but I have heard that if you have a strong ashtanga practise it can make menstrual cramps worse (as you said, you're using all the bundhas throughout your practise and this might be why you're cramping so badly). I would advise checking this out with your doctor, or just going easy when you're menstruating, and maybe doing a restorative practise (I know that's not easy for some ashtangi's!). I guess it's up to you and how you feel at the time. Sorry I can't be more help.

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Hi Amanda. According to some ayurvedic books that I have read, the time when a women has her menstruation should be consciously taken as a period of rest. No strong practices are recommended, no bandhas. I remember my teacher saying that during menstruation, because of all the physiological processes going on in the pelvis, the moola bandha can't even be done correctly.
So my advice would be to take it very easy, do cat stretches which relieves cramps, put legs up the wall to prevent fluid retention in the legs and do yoga nidra or meditation.