Yoga: to yolk or unite, the union of body mind and spirit.
When a woman is pregnant, she is indeed in a state of yoga, a union with herself and her growing baby.
Pregnancy naturally enhances the body’s state of energy and creativity. Taking the time to pause from regular day-to-day demands during a prenatal yoga practice allows a woman to enjoy the benefits of these new senses, whilst nurturing, strengthening and toning the ever-changing pregnant body.
Here are 10 benefits of a prenatal yoga practice:
- Foster a deeper relationship with your growing baby. Through mindfulness and breath-work you can begin to cherish your role in the creation and support of new life within you.
- Tone the pelvic floor. For a more controlled birth, reducing potential complications during labour, and more speedy post birth recovery.
- Maintain a good posture as your body changes. Strengthening and stretching to tone the back, abdomen and legs.
- Obtain relief from muscular and joint aches and pains experienced as your body grows to accommodate your new baby.
- Instil a greater sense of comfort and relaxation using breath work. Learning tools to achieve a sense of calm and ease that can result in a calmer, more enjoyable birth.
- Emotional stability. Acknowledging and fully experiencing emotions can aid in both mother and babies emotional health.
- Discover the wisdom of the body. Learning to trust in the process of birth and motherhood as part of the body’s natural rhythms.
- Gain mental strength and confidence, to be an advocate for what does and doesn’t serve you and your baby.
- Release fear and anxiety associated with your upcoming labour and pending motherhood.
- Gain motivation to continue a lifelong journey with your yoga practice.
View full timetable to sign up to prenatal yoga classes here.
Are you a qualified yoga teacher? Advance your skills to provide safe instruction for pregnant women with our 85-hour Prenatal Yoga Teacher Training with Vanessa Mitchell.
By Vanessa Mitchell
Hi Wendy!
Most pregnant women start in their 2nd trimester, as they tend to feel nauseous and unwell in the first trimester. Also, the first trimester is a very sensitive period for mother and baby.
However, a lot of pregnant mums feel comfortable practicing yoga in the first trimester and find that a yoga practice really helps them cope with all the changes that are taking place in their bodies. Again, this is something you may speak to your doctor about and gain advice on what works best for you and your baby.