Yoga is a holistic practice that offers people a way to embrace their physical body, it wakes people up to the power of their thoughts and the energy of their spirit.
Benefits of Prenatal Yoga
Practicing yoga during pregnancy has numerous benefits. Through the postures practiced during prenatal yoga you will encourage your body to make room for your baby, it will make you feel stronger and lighter, helping you through the changes that your body will experience during pregnancy.
Prenatal yoga relieves tension, anxiety, stress and it prepares you for labor. Yoga can help balancing the hormonal changes and adapting to those changes. Prenatal yoga increases blood and oxygen flow to the umbilical cord which nourishes your baby and promotes a healthy start to development.
Prenatal yoga strengthens and stretches the muscles in your back, shoulders and legs, reduces fatigue and may also relieve cramping of the uterus as it grows.
Prenatal Yoga and Labor
Prenatal yoga is an effective and powerful method to use in labor.
Through yoga there’s the realization that you have the life-force energy, your breath!
Your breath encloses the power of the present moment. Without breath there’s no life. Managing to use your breath and become aware of it during childbirth may increase your ability to manage pain and to become fully attuned to your birthing experience.
The asanas (postures) are simple, easy to use and safe to practice, no matter what your level of fitness or understanding of yoga is.
Is it Safe to Practice Yoga During Pregnancy?
Prenatal yoga can be practiced safely at any point during your pregnancy, as early as week one, during labor and even post birth, to help you get into pre-baby shape and help you relax and enjoy your new family life.
Practicing yoga should feel good, eliminate stress, tension and judgement. There’s no rush in yoga, taking the time you need to come in and out of postures, listen to your body and be mindful of how your baby feels during your practice. If there’s any moment where you feel uncomfortable, just come out if the posture and take a break. Through regular practice your body will feel more at ease and your level of fitness will improve.
Another component to yoga practice is meditation.
Meditation
Meditation can help change your thoughts, from negative to positive. I believe in the power of setting weekly mantras, which are motivational statements to help you focus in positive emotions and outcomes. Mantras can be simple words or sentences that you can repeat over and over again.
- I am beautiful.
- I am healthy and I feel wonderful.
- I feel the energy of the beautiful soul I am carrying.
- My body is full of love.
- I am glowing with love.
- I am calm and peaceful.
- I trust my body.
- I am strong.
- I am ready to be a mother…
Remember, the best way to keep your baby healthy is to keep yourself healthy, so breathe through it and release everything that doesn’t serve you.
Eat well, drink clean water, meditate, sleep and do yoga!!
“ Yoga is not about touching your toes. It’s about unlocking your ideas about what you want, where you think you can go, and how you will achieve it when you get there.” Cyndi Lee