Yoga Therapy Exercises Promote A Healthy Pregnancy

Yoga aims at reaching the state of perfect tranquility and spiritual insight achieved through devotion, knowledge and actions. The yoga philosophy is that a person will tone their body, relieve stress and become more centered by practicing yoga daily. Yoga consists of several different asanas or poses, which people should hold as they control their breathing. Each pose targets various areas and has benefits of its own. Pranayamas are breathing techniques that are essential to yoga.

Benefits of Yoga Exercise in Pregnancy

The popularity of yoga continues to grow and now includes yoga exercises during pregnancy. Prenatal yoga is a natural, simple and relaxing method of staying in shape, which is beneficial for both the expectant mother and her unborn baby. Whether a person is an experienced yoga practitioner or new to this form of exercise, a woman can benefit from yoga throughout her pregnancy.

This is a wonderful way to have more energy, keep fit both mentally and physically, increase flexibility and relieve stress, anxiety and worry. Yoga along with walking and other cardiovascular exercise is an excellent way to stay in shape while pregnant. Some of the other benefits of yoga exercises by expectant mothers include:

• Improves the circulation of oxygen and blood throughout your body
• Tones muscles and improves balance
• Yoga prepares an expectant mother both mentally and physically for labor and childbirth
• Prenatal yoga helps keep you limber
• Places very little pressure on a pregnant woman’s joints
• Helps teach you to relax and breathe fully and deeply
• Alleviates many of the discomforts of pregnancy such as reducing inflammation and swelling around wrists and ankles
• Reduces swelling while increasing circulation which provides both mother and unborn baby with more nutrients and oxygen
• Yoga exercises during pregnancy aids in strengthening and elongating the back, stretching the spine and stabilizing the joints, which normally helps to reduce sciatica and low back pain.

Yoga exercises for expectant mothers teach them the importance of proper posture. This helps by physically stretching the muscles around the pelvis so the baby gets into a good birth position and helps in the prevention of back labor. Pregnant women that learn yoga exercise techniques will find that practicing gentle postures during labor, including the early stages, helps with relaxation, focusing the mind and gently, carefully getting the baby into a very good delivery position.

Attending Prenatal Yoga Classes

Although there are numerous benefits in attending yoga classes, make sure you join one specifically tailored for pregnant women. It is important to find a qualified, experienced, competent prenatal yoga teacher that helps expectant mothers learn yoga exercises and breathing techniques in class, which prepares them for labor and delivery. Prenatal yoga classes are an excellent way for expectant mothers to meet other pregnant women for camaraderie, conversation and friendship. Along with yoga, classes sometimes include pregnancy topics such as labor, cravings, discomfort and birth.

Prenatal Yoga DVDs

If you have practiced yoga before but decided to continue yoga at home during your pregnancy, it is a good idea to find an excellent prenatal yoga DVD. Be sure to look for one that has pose variations for each trimester. The yoga exercises you can do during the first, second and third trimesters differ from each other so it is important to shop around for an expectant mother’s yoga DVD that clearly and carefully explains safe positions for each of the pregnancy stages. Being an informed consumer means shopping around for a prenatal yoga DVD that puts you and your unborn baby’s safety first.

Along with showing and explaining how to do each yoga movement and position properly for each trimester, a good DVD also shows and explains proper breathing techniques. During pregnancy, labor and childbirth, these yoga exercises help relax and calm your breathing and give you greater control over your body and mind by directing your feelings and thoughts. It is important to check with your doctor for approval first before starting any prenatal yoga exercises.