Yoga for pregnant women

Is it safe to do yoga during pregnancy?

Contrary to popular belief, it is safe to exercise during pregnancy; in fact, doctors advise pregnant women to exercise during pregnancy as it has a range of health benefits, as well as being an effective stress management technique. It is not advisable to do high intensity or potentially dangerous activities; however, gentle exercise such as swimming, walking and yoga are often recommended by doctors and midwives.

It is safe to do yoga during pregnancy and this form of exercise will actually be very beneficial for most pregnant women; as you grow bigger, you may find that certain positions become a little trickier to master so it may be advisable to stick to simple positions in the final stages of your pregnancy. Yoga will help to prepare both your body and mind for birth.

Although yoga is generally very safe it is a good idea to tell your instructor that you are pregnant so that they can tailor the session to your needs; alternatively, you can look for a class specifically for pregnant women. It is also possible to buy yoga DVDs for pregnant women; these are beneficial for those who prefer to exercise alone.

If you have questions about exercising during pregnancy, don not hesitate to talk to your doctor or midwife.

What are the benefits of yoga for pregnant women?

Yoga has several benefits for pregnant women; it is a diverse and versatile activity, which focuses not only on the body, but also on the mind. Here are some of the major benefits of yoga for pregnant women:

• Increased flexibility
• Increased muscle tone
• Better posture (which helps to reduce the risk of suffering from backache and lower back pain)
• Reduced stress levels
• Time out: yoga allows you have to have a period of quiet time to yourself; during this time you can relax and enjoy your own company
• Stronger abdominal muscles and pelvic floor muscles (this will help to reduce pain during birth and prepare the body for labour)
• Improved circulation
• Reduces water retention (water retention is very common amongst pregnant women- it can cause uncomfortable swelling and inflammation)
• Pain relief
• Relief for morning sickness, sciatica and muscular pain
• Reduced muscle tension and stiffness

It can also be very beneficial to do yoga after you have your baby (but you should give yourself plenty of time to rest and recover before jumping into an exercise regime); yoga helps to gradually improve muscle tone and can help you to regain your pre-pregnancy body safely and healthily.

Where can I find a yoga class?

There are now many yoga classes available for pregnant women; if you want to find a class near you, search online using a search engine and then contact the organisers directly; you can also ask friends and relatives or look out for adverts in local newspapers.

If you have never done yoga before, don’t worry; there are plenty of beginner classes around.

Exercise during Pregnancy:

• Exercise during Pregnancy
• The Benefits of Exercise during Pregnancy
• What Types of Exercise should I do During Pregnancy?
• How much Exercise should I be doing during Pregnancy?
• Fitness Ball Exercise during Pregnancy
• Yoga for pregnant women