Benefits Of Yoga During Pregnancy

Yoga is an all encompassing holistic exercise. However, before starting any exercise regime it is a good idea to get the all clear from a physician. This is especially important for senior citizens and expecting mothers.

After getting clearance from the doctor always go to a well trained yoga teacher who can guide you properly. Poorly qualified instructors will blindly make you follow the set exercises and they will cause more harm than good. Some exercises are meant for healthy people to tone up their internal organs. However a pregnant woman has to be very careful in this regard. She should convey her condition to the yoga teacher. Only then she can reap rich benefit from this ancient science.

Yoga exercises or Asanas as they are generally called are specialised ways of moving or holding the body in different positions. Breathing exercises or Pranayama have proven it’s benefits for all  globally. The science of Yoga has developed several exercises or Asanas or postures that can work wonders on the health of a woman especially when she is pregnant. Varying widely in style, these exercises comprise of gently stretching all parts of your body in a systematic manner. Though some Asanas are strenuous and difficult to perform but Asanas or exercises suggested during pregnancy are gentle and are a way to keep the body active and supple. The remarkable effects of yoga in pregnancy show the power of yoga for ensuring a smooth pregnancy, natural childbirth and restoration of body shape after childbirth.

There are some exercises called micro exercises which can be performed by almost everybody instead of the more robust exercises. These include rotating the wrist or ankle joint, or rotating the shoulder joint to exercise the targeted back muscles, giving relief from aches and pains. They can be performed by sitting comfortably in a chair. Some light breathing exercises will be taught which are mild yet beneficial for all body systems and also help during labour.

Before start, the pregnant women should consult their doctor to ensure that they can lie on their back to do exercises. No pressure must be brought about on the abdomen so rapid and jerky exercises are taboo. Some yoga exercises to strengthen hips, inner thighs and muscles in the pelvic area can be done as they will be brought about in play during the birthing process. There are numerous benefits of yoga during pregnancy for both mother and baby. Some of the benefits can be enumerated as follows:

• Yoga exercises help relieve body water retention which normally occurs during last stage of pregnancy.
• These exercises can help to turn the position of the baby if needed.
• The abdominal muscles will be stimulated with yoga helping improve appetite and bowel movement.
• Yoga during pregnancy helps reduce nausea and morning sickness often faced during early stages of pregnancy.
• Above all yoga helps relieve tension which is a very common problem with pregnant women.

Precautions: While performing yoga care should be taken not to contract the stomach muscles, side bending may be undertaken but not forward or backward bending. The key word is that you should do what feels comfortable to your body.