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.

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.

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.

	There are poses for sciatic pain, and even morning sickness. Yoga is a great way to return the body to regular exercise after pregnancy.
Many women discover the life long journey of yoga and it's many benefits during and after their pregnancy.

Although yoga is very beneficial during and after pregnancy, there are a few practice guidelines as general precautions.

• 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.