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Yoga
and Pregnancy 
As with any exercise program it is best to consult your doctor
before beginning. However, with the exception of not lying directly
on your back or stomach after the fourth month, and avoiding what
doesn't feel right to you, there is very little yoga that would
be a problem during pregnancy.
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Yoga is the perfect way to stay flexible, create energy,
relieve stress and prepare for birth. It will also help in
the fact that you are emitting more effectively the waste
and toxins that accumulate in your system from the day to
day living
By using, stretching and cultivating the muscles for birth,
you make birth easier. The muscles are prepared by the yoga
to do their job efficiently in labor.
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Your breathing and relaxation skills that you have learned can
be applied during and after birth with great success. Yoga can also
alleviate the discomforts caused by pregnancy.
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There are poses for sciatic pain, and even
morning sickness.
Yoga is a great way to return the body to regular exercise
after pregnancy.
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| Many women discover the life long
journey of yoga and it's many benefits during and after their
pregnancy. |
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Although yoga is very beneficial during
and after pregnancy,
there are a few practice guidelines as general precautions.
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• Listen carefully to your body. If you feel any discomfort, stop.
You will probably need to modify each pose to your body's physical
changes.
• Avoid all compression of your abdomen.
• When practicing twisting poses, twist more from the shoulders
and back to avoid putting any pressure on your abdomen
.• Avoid any poses on your back after the first trimester as that
can cut blood flow to the uterus.
• Avoid poses that stretch the muscles too much, particularly the
abdominal muscles.
• Remember that you are more prone to strain muscles now because
the pregnancy hormone relaxing, which allows the uterus to expand,
also acts on all connective tissue.
• As a precautionary measure, practice standing and balance poses
near a wall for safety reasons, to avoid losing your balance and
risking injury.
• Maintain as much length as possible between the breastbone and
the pubic bone to make breathing easier.
• Keep the pelvis upright when stretching the chest and the front
of the thighs.
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