Yoga in Pregnancy

The few months of pregnancy are brief and very precious. It is a time in our fast-paced lives when our bodies begin to change without our control. We are part of a journey to create life, which is a truly wonderful gift. Whether we use this time to get to know ourselves is up to us. Hopefully we will take this time to embrace the union of body and mind and as a chance to face life in the present. To get to know ourselves better. As Kahil Gibran said in the Prophet: "Your children are not your children. They are the sons and daughters of life’s longing for itself. They come through you but not from you, and though they are with you, yet they belong not to you." Practicing yoga through pregnancy has many benefits. It helps with lymphatic drainage to cut down on all those puffy hands and feet, and swollen joints. Muscle tone is stronger, which helps maintain good posture. The endocrine system is kept healthy which helps reduce cellulite and weight problems. Monitoring the breath - noticing its ebb and flow - will help release any tension in your body. Yoga quietens the mind. It helps you find the inner sanctum that can evade us all. Through yoga your whole mind and body will be strengthened for both the journey of pregnancy and the experience of birth. It is one of the most physical and emotional things we will do in our lives. In other parts of our life we would not contemplate on embarking on something like a triathlon without preparation and training. Keep this in mind as you embark on this journey. If you are new to yoga then it is recommended that you start your yoga practice from the second trimester. This is due to the risk of miscarriage that can occur through the first few months. By the second trimester this risk is greatly reduced. If you have an established practice then you can continue with some modifications. Your body releases the hormone relaxin, which relaxes and stretches your ligaments at this time. Do not use this as an excuse to increase flexibility as this is contraindicative and can cause more problems like back ache and symphysis pubis dysfunction. This is a condition that causes great pain in the pelvic area due to increased instability of the whole pelvic joint structure. Try not to overextend your joints and use the muscles around the joints to keep you stable and relaxed. As you move in and out of the postures imagine the baby moving with you and enjoying the session as much as you. The main rule is do what feels right for you and your body. If it doesn’t feel right, don’t do it.

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