Pregnancy Yoga Make the Body Stronger
August 22nd, 2008 at 03:05pm Under Main Content
The practice of yoga during pregnancy is perhaps the most helpful exercise a woman with child can undertake. It is slow, strong and gentle. I’ve been a little shocked with how weak my body feels in my postnatal yoga practice versus before I became pregnant. Heck, even compared to when I was pregnant! With regular practice, it will come.
I can not emphasise enough how important it is to be easy on yourself with yoga for pregnancy. The most important guideline for prenatal yoga is one that is practiced in all yoga– non-violence to yourself. This means allowing and embracing the limitations that pregnancy puts on your body and only doing poses that feel good. Practicing yoga is a great way to slow down and welcome these changes. Yoga heartens you to be in the moment - to be fully present.
However, the technique is thousands of years old and the people which practice the poses and meditation claim a variety of health benefits. Hatha yoga is said by some to be able to ease every discomfort from bowel problems to head aches. Practice going down to the floor again on all fours by bending your knees and extending your arms towards the floor, palms stretched out. Your heels will probably lift from the floor as your knees reach down. In practicing yoga , an athlete builds flexibility along with strength.
Those with diastasis recti can usually continue to practice yoga, but it’s information that you and your teacher should have to make sure you don’t injure yourself. However, the Latinn meaning of sacrifice is ’sacred doing’, which leads to conclusion that yoga is sacred doing or better said spiritual practice. Therefore, when someone says ‘I do Yoga’, it is like saying ‘I do spiritual union’ or ‘I do religion’. A regular yoga practice will help you fight the urge to tighten up when you feel pain, and show you how to relax instead.
Also, as lung tissue becomes more elastic and the surrounding muscle more flexible, the practice of pranayama can also increase lung capacity. Getting ample air into our lungs helps us feel alert and focused. If you plan to practice yoga at home during your pregnancy, you will need a prenatal yoga DVD. The DVD you choose is largely a matter of preference. Someone once suggested that I try practicing with a watermelon strapped to my belly, but thus far I haven’t.
Aqua yoga can be practiced by swimmers and non-swimmers alike but to train as an aqua yoga teacher you will need a swimming qualification. Aqua yoga strengthens and tones the body whilst relieving tensions and renewing energy. During pregnancy, it’s even more important than usual to finish your yoga practice with a period of relaxation. You can still lie on your back if you are comfortable, but some women find that difficult beginning in the second trimester. After practice, wait half an hour before eating.
By Dave Jackson Add comment