Yoga and Pregnancy

Every woman wants to have a healthy baby. Yogic practices, when done with care, can make a woman's body stronger and more flexible. Yoga poses tone your muscles, improving the overall balance and circulation, while making your joints more limber.

Yoga poses help you breathe and relax, which can help you adjust to the physical demands of labor, birth, and motherhood.Learning how to do ujayi breathing primes you for labor and childbirth by training you to stay calm when you need it most. If you are afraid during labor, the body produces adrenalin and shuts down the production of oxytocin, a hormone that makes labor progress. Yoga practice will help you fight the urge to tighten up when you feel the pain, and show you how to breathe instead.

The practice of meditation is extremely beneficial for you and your baby. It has been proven to slow down your heart rate, relax and focus your mind - all great for the baby.

As a general rule, avoid backbending poses, as well as extreme forward bending. Place your legs apart for seated paschimottanasana (forward bend.)

If you never practiced inverted poses before, now is not the time to start. However, if you have a practice of inversions, you may carefully continue for the first two trimesters. Don't hold the poses for too long.

You may want to skip any movements that require you to lie flat on your back for longer than a few minutes, especially after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Lying on your back can put pressure on your inferior vena cava, the vein that returns blood from the legs to the heart, and can cause dizziness, shortness of breath, and nausea. But many women are comfortable lying in this position well into their pregnancies, so watch your body and your instincts.

First trimester
You don't have many restrictions this early in your pregnancy. If you're a regular yoga practitioner, accept that your routine will require modifications as time goes on. Listen to your body.

Second trimester
Don't try to hold poses for a long time, and remember to sink into yoga positions slowly and carefully to avoid injury, because of your loosening joints. Your expanding belly will effect your sense of balance.

Third trimester
You're probably feeling less graceful now that your belly is bigger, so perform standing poses with your heel to the wall to avoid losing your balance and risking injury to you or your baby. Props such as blocks and straps can also help you move through different poses with greater stability.

Anastasia Dorohova is a certified and registered yoga teacher, and a holistic health counselor. She works with clients, improving their nutrition habbits and well-being. Anastasia teaches group,private and corporate yoga classes in New York. http://www.steadybliss.com

---

What is Self Mastery? - Part 4

Now, let's cover the last component of self-mastery, which is... Read More

How to Find the Right Yoga Class For You

There are many types of yoga, some with more emphasis... Read More

This is Not Your Grandma?s Rocking Chair

Senior Yoga / Chair YogaIs it possible that grandparents are... Read More

What is Self Mastery? - Part 1

Self Mastery, alone, sounds like a selfish term; but if... Read More

Yogic Way of Controlling of Thoughts

As described in my earlier article... thoughts in the mind... Read More

Paths of Yoga I

With dozens of Hollywood celebrities following in their Guru's lotus... Read More

Secrets of Teaching Yoga

What you are about to read applies to teaching, in... Read More

True Essence of Yoga

Yoga is the most prestigious field of spiritualism. People think... Read More

Eight Amazing Benefits of Teaching Yoga

Every challenging occupation yields some sort of satisfaction, but the... Read More

Eating Wisely and Weight Loss

Please bear in mind that I am not a dietician,... Read More

Which Type of Yoga is the Right Choice for You?

You finally made the decision to practice yoga, but which... Read More

Yoga for Fun and Profit

Stress levels around the world are on the rise. In... Read More

Yoga - The Solution for Insomnia

At one time, or another, all of us have experienced... Read More

Yoga: A Beneficial Exercising Regimen

Yoga is an ancient proven tradition that exists for thousands... Read More

Yoga Clothes for Comfort, Functionality ? and Lets Not Leave Out Fun!

Yoga clothes should be comfortable and functional. They should allow... Read More

Yoga for Every BODY

We all want to feel loved, open, free and peaceful.... Read More

Mind and Thoughts

Yoga is controlling of thoughts arising in the mind. When... Read More

Yoga Instruction - How to Find the Right Yoga Teacher for You

In order to find a quality yoga instructor, you need... Read More

Yoga Mats ? Are They All Created Equal?

Yoga mats are a basic part of every practice. What... Read More

What is Self Mastery? ? Part 3

The next large component of self-mastery is mental health, and... Read More

Yoga and Weight Training ? Never the Twain Shall Meet?

Yoga has become part of Western fitness training techniques. However,... Read More

Yoga, Do Not Knock It Until You Try It

Are you one of those folks who have never tried... Read More

Om Yoga Meditation: Why Yoga?

The following is an excerpt from the book "Om Yoga:... Read More

How to Find the Right Yoga Teacher?

I am often asked by beginners about how to evaluate... Read More

What is Self Mastery? - Part 2

To continue with our overview of the physical component of... Read More

Yoga For a Beginner

Yoga for a beginner is an exciting time when you... Read More

Christian Yoga?

There is an interesting article in the September 5th issue... Read More

Discover How Yoga Will Help You Reach Your Goals ? Part 2

At this point, let's break down the major components of... Read More

Yoga Accessories? Getting What You Really Need

Unlike some other sports, you don't need a lot of... Read More

The Benefit of Pilates

Pilates can benefit your overall health and sense of well-being... Read More

Yoga and Meditation - That Leads to Gaining Enlightenment in this Life?

Every process of Yoga... neigh Meditation that frees us from... Read More

Are You Willing To Follow Eight Yoga Exercises For the Lower Back?

EXERCISES FOR BACK RELIEFMany people believe that rest is best... Read More

Positive Energy

Cultivating positive energy: Most of us who study Yoga have... Read More