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Yoga and Pregnancy
Yoga during pregnancy has a great impact on the health of the expecting
mother as well as the baby. Yoga during pregnancy is relaxing and has wonderful
health benefits for both. Strenuous work and speedy activities are better
avoided during pregnancy for the safety of baby. It is advisable for the mother
to take rest for nine months and restrain from doing strenuous activities.
However, the sedentary lifestyle advocated during the nine-month duration of
pregnancy results in loss of fitness for the mother. You need not worry because
you can practice yoga during pregnancy to stay fit without having to worry about
causing damage to your baby. Yes, it is possible to practice yoga during
pregnancy. Some people believe that practice of yoga during pregnancy is harmful
but it is not true if you take proper care and caution and perform it under
proper guidance.
How Yoga Helps in Pregnancy
Let us understand the benefits of yoga during pregnancy. Yoga really helps a lot
during pregnancy because the breathing exercises enhance the oxygen carrying
capacity of the blood. This helps to increase the functionality of all the
organs in the mother's body and help the baby to develop properly. It also helps
the mother to relax and avoid prenatal and postnatal depression. Yoga helps in
the he strengthening of the neck and pelvic muscles, as the baby grows bigger.
This provides relief to the expectant mother and eases the delivery process.
Researches have found that yoga practice during pregnancy reduces the symptoms
of morning sickness such as nausea and vomiting.
Tips For Practicing Yoga During Pregnancy
It is advisable for you to have many liquids before, during and after a yoga
session. Yoga should be done carefully during pregnancy. In the first trimester,
your yoga exercise should be limited to light stretching. This will help in
retention of the pregnancy and aid elimination of toxins from the body.
In the second trimester, the optimum room temperature should be maintained while
practicing yoga. Regular yoga poses are not possible at this stage. Alternative
forms are available for pregnant women. Your instructor can teach you correct
yoga postures to perform in this important stage of your life. Heavy sweating is
not advisable at this part of the pregnancy. Therefore, you should take care to
avoid heavy sweating while performing Yoga.
In the third trimester, you can perform the same exercises that you used to
perform during the second trimester exercises with minor modifications. You can
consult your instructor to teach you suitable yoga exercises and the best way of
doing them during the third trimester of pregnancy.
Precautions to Take While Practicing Yoga during Pregnancy
There are some precautionary measures that the pregnant woman must be aware of
while starting yoga. You should evaluate your state of health and wellness
before you start practicing yoga during pregnancy. It would be advisable to
consult your doctor before you commence practicing yoga. If you have been
practicing yoga before getting pregnant, then you should reduce the intensity
and duration of Yoga asanas and stop doing the postures that could be harmful
during the pregnancy. If you have to bend to perform asanas, make sure that the
power should come from the hips and not from the back. You should not do any
exercises using the back because it may reduce the blood flow to the uterus.
While standing, put one hand on the wall or on a chair to maintain a proper
balance at all times. Always keep your pelvis upright when stretching. Do not
jump or roll.
Yoga is a wonderful way to enjoy your pregnancy as it aligns the body optimally
for carrying and delivering the baby in a healthy way. It would also help you to
stay in shape and maintain a state of physical, mental and spiritual well-being.
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