Thursday, April 1, 2010

Yoga and your pregnant body


Yoga has been a major player in reducing stress before I got pregnant and now that I am pregnant. I highly recommend finding something (if not yoga) that relaxes you so that you can be a fantastically mellow baby carrier!

There are some great yoga studios in the KC area. My favorite right now is Yoga Patch at Gregory and Wornall in KCMO. They, and other studios, frequently offer prenatal yoga classes and workshops specifically designed for those of use who are expecting. Typically these classes are relaxing and focused on flexibility while focusing on the needs of the pregnant body.

If you are going to take normal (non prenatal) yoga class (which I continue to do 3-4 days a week), there are some precautions to take.
  • Avoid deep twists
  • Do not engage in any upside down poses such as headstands, handstands, etc. Downward Facing Dog and forward bends are fine.
  • After your first trimester, avoid laying on your back for very long as it can decrease blood flow to the uterus
  • Save the hot yoga (or Bikram) for after the baby comes...you don't want to increase your core body temp
  • As you gain your baby weight and your body becomes more cumbersome, make sure that your balancing poses are supported by standing near a wall or using a chair
  • As with any exercise, don't do anything that is uncomfortable...listen to your body

If you have any questions, please contact your doctor.

Namaste!

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