Yoga for a Healthy Pregnancy

Gentle exercise during pregnancy has been recommended by doctors for years. Staying active can help alleviate the pain or discomfort that most women experience during their pregnancy, as well as help you maintain healthy weight levels. Very active mommies-to-be usually have to limit strenuous activity during pregnancy, so yoga can be a good substitute. Ladies who didn’t exercise regularly will find yoga to contain baby-steps to introduce them to physical fitness. Always check with your doctor before starting any new exercise regimen while pregnant.

Yoga is an ideal prenatal and pregnancy activity because of its gentle movements, encouraging strength and flexibility; its focus on clarity of mind; and its specific breathing exercises. Specialized prenatal yoga also concentrates on exercises that will help strengthen the body in preparation for the birthing process.

Small discomforts like tightness in the shoulders, backaches and hormonal swings can be greatly relieved by prenatal yoga through the gentle stretches and meditative sessions. Reduced stress levels, better sleep at night and less constipation and digestive issues can all be traced back to certain poses common in prenatal yoga.

General yoga is not intended for pregnant women, and you should keep an eye out for any poses that could be harmful. For instance, you don’t want to spend any extended amount of time flat on your back, especially as your pregnancy progresses. Additionally, prenatal yoga never puts any pressure on your stomach or your baby. Pregnancy is also not the time to try to “push yourself” to the next level of poses. During pregnancy, joints are generally looser, so there’s no need to try to stretch further than what comes naturally. Keep in mind that if you experience shortness of breath or any discomfort, you should take a break. The point of exercising during pregnancy is not to raise your heart rate but to keep your body moving, flexible and strong.

Yoga is a gentle and relaxing form of exercise while you are pregnant. We suggest buying an extra thick yoga mat so you are as comfortable as possible.