Yoga During Pregnancy
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By Glenda Furszyfer |
If you've seen anyone practicing yoga it looks like a very simple exercise, which does not require physical strength, right? That’s also correct.
And maybe you've wondered that yoga could be a very good choice to prepare your body during and after pregnancy, right? You are completely correct.
But, what is Yoga?
Why is yoga beneficial during pregnancy?
What is Yoga?
Many experts define yoga with several meanings, but the most common and that I fully agree is that yoga is a "harmonizing activity," as simple as that.The word Yoga means "Union” and I believe is translated correctly, because if you practice yoga during pregnancy, you will have perfect union with your baby and, of course, with your husband.
Let me tell you, when I mentioned my gynecologist that I used to do some fitness in the gym, she immediately advised me to follow a routine of yoga. In fact, she gave me a DVD with yoga exercises. And you know what I did? I stopped going to the gym, I bought a quilted blanket and started my routine of yoga from the second month of pregnancy till the last month.
I did not have a teacher, neither I took classes in a school and, possibly would’ve been much better, but unfortunately I was not financially able to pay for private or group classes. So I prepared myself mentally to take classes by television. I believe that with commitment and dedication, anything is possible, and at that moment I had the need to prepare my body and mind for the tough task of living my pregnancy with good health and have a perfect development of my baby.
Why Yoga is beneficial during pregnancy?
What were the benefits that yoga during pregnancy provided me? In principle, I can tell you that I did not have severe symptoms of pregnancy, in fact almost none, I was fortunate to have had that privilege. However there are many other benefits that I want to tell you.
Pregnancy in a woman is considered a natural process in which the body prepares itself to deal with all the changes of pregnancy. Apart from a lot of physiological changes, there are also mental and emotional changes.
The truth is that there is great need to give the process of pregnancy a little help, and for that, yoga is considered the father of all disciplines to help with the weight of all events, changes, discomforts and complications of pregnancy.
Yoga prepares you to deal pregnancy with the best conditions. Yoga is considered quite favorable for pregnancy.
In the book of Ma Anand Gandha "Yoga and Maternity", there are several reasons why yoga during pregnancy is beneficial. The context in this book considers:
- Moms should fully enjoy pregnancy. They should identify changes in their body, and the development stages of their babies.
- Moms should collaborate with their natural instincts, instead of trying to avoid them. They must take care of their body with the handling of their emotions.
- Moms must acknowledge their role in pregnancy in order to handle the demands and requirements of their body. For example, if you react to a contraction as if it was an attack, you will create tensions that prevent the normal behavior of the uterus. However, if you know that this contraction is necessary in order for your baby to be born, then your attitude ought to be relaxing and of collaboration. The learning from Yoga will help you soften or sublimate the pain response that sends your brain.
Yoga will help you focus on your pregnancy. During 9 months, you will be more sensitive to changes in your body, and will feel nature in a different way. You will be more aware of your health and wellbeing of your baby. Intrinsically you will feel the need to get relaxed. Yoga definitely will help you to live more focused and relaxed. Yoga miraculously will give you more energy.
Considering some pregnancy symptoms such as fatigue and exhaustion, yoga can balance your energy in harmony with your body and the changes that you are having. With a balanced energy, you can support the weight of his body, letting your muscles perform their task of moving the bones without stress.
One of the important aspects during labor and delivery is to control your breathing. Practicing yoga you will learn to let your breath flow naturally. Having control of your breathing, you can relax the rigidity of your muscles.
Final Thoughts:
Maybe I could give you many more tips related to the benefits of yoga during pregnancy. However, all conclude in the following basic principles:
”Yoga is a very effective way to discover and learn to release your natural instincts to get pregnant and to deal with your pregnancy as relaxed as possible.”
“You instinctively will be prepared to use your own potential to give birth.”
“Yoga will help you to have confidence in the strength of your body and to overcome the natural process of childbirth.”
If you decide to practice yoga at home, that’s fine. However to complement your own practice, I recommend some group lessons with a yoga expert.
To have a higher benefit on your health, any exercise must be balanced with a healthy diet.
Other recommendations when practicing yoga during pregnancy:
- Practice yoga on a folded blanket or rug
- Try yoga in the morning, or when your stomach is empty
- Do not extend the practice over 15 or 20 minutes
- Rest often when practicing yoga
- Your breathing should be rhythmic and deep
- Breathe through your nose and not through the mouth
Read about other pregnancy exercises:
Running and Pregnancy | Walking During Pregnancy | Swimming During Pregnancy | Kegel Exercise | Pilates During Pregnancy
Return from Yoga During Pregnancy to Pregnancy Exercises Page
FOR YOU MOM
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I feel so fortunate to be a part of SBI world. I am living with all I want... at home to raise my kids, giving them the gift of always being there for them, while running a successful business at the same time.
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