The Benefits of Prenatal Yoga during Pregnancy

Are you pregnant and looking for a way to stay active while still protecting the growing baby in your womb?  Prenatal yoga is a great way to relax, stay fit while bonding internally with your child.

“Yoga can keep you limber, tone your muscles, and improve your balance and circulation during pregnancy ““ all with very little impact on your joints” ““ Baby Center

National motherhood magazine, Baby Center, says that yoga is very popular among individuals and when paired with cardiovascular exercise such as walking, it is a great way for mothers-to-be to stay in shape during pregnancy.  “Yoga can keep you limber, tone your muscles, and improve your balance and circulation during pregnancy ““ all with very little impact on your joints” says the magazine, which specializes in all things babies.

What are the Benefits of Prenatal Yoga?

Prenatal yoga can be beneficial for mothers-to-be, as well as the developing baby. Nonprofit medical practice and research group Mayo Clinic says that “prenatal yoga is a multifaceted approach to exercise that encourages stretching, mental centering and focused breathing.”  The Mayo Clinic researchers recommends yoga during pregnancy to help mothers to be with the following:

Improve Sleep

One benefit is to help mothers to be with sleeping. The inability to sleep can cause some serious issues for pregnant woman; yoga can help find relaxation with different poses that can be adapted in everyday life for a better comfortability during sleep.

Reduce Stress and Anxiety

One of the best benefits of yoga is teaching of breathing techniques and meditation tranquility; therefore, doing yoga while pregnant can help reduce stress and anxiety of pregnancy.   Expecting a new baby can be a very stressful time in someone’s life, so having the ability to reduce that stress through poses and techniques can be very beneficial to the body and the baby.

Increased Benefits during Childbirth

Giving birth can be one of the most painful, yet rewarding things to do.  Practicing yoga can help a mother to be build endurance, strength and flexibility in her body to help better cope with child birth for a more successful birthing.

Decrease Daily Pregnancy Pains

When adding yoga into your every daily routine during pregnancy, there can be a number of body pains and issues that can arise; many that can be alleviated with yoga including lower back pain, nausea, carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms, headaches and shortness of breath.

What to Expect During a Prenatal Yoga Session?

When attending a yoga session, there are a lot of things to expect that can happen that will be productive when pregnant.  Prenatal yoga will teach the practitioner about breathing techniques, stretching, poses, postures, as well as, relaxation during yoga cool down says Susan who is the owner of Rooted Mama Health.

Are there any special safety guidelines for prenatal yoga?

As any other exercise, it is important to consult your medical doctor; especially obstetrician and gynecologist (OB-GYN) about your plans to participate in yoga, so he or she can monitor your trends with optimal safety for you and the baby.

Also, there are a number of things to be aware about, when participating including:

• Set Realistic Goals
• Set a Realistic Pace
• Increase Hydration
• Adjust and Modify Posture

When pregnant, there are many things that can help the overall health for you and your baby.  Prenatal Yoga is a great way to find some of those benefits.  Yoga Connection in Smithfield is a locally owned and operated yoga studio that aims to help yoga students in the Raleigh, Smithfield, Clayton, Benson and Goldsboro areas find their physical and spiritual balance.  For more information, schedule a class, or purchase a yoga class pass, call  919-971-1431 or come visit us in the studio.