It is said that a mother’s thoughts and emotional health directly affect the physical and emotional wellbeing of the unborn child. Negative thoughts, worries and fears unsettle the mother’s nervous system and other bodily functions too, thereby influencing the foetus. In the same way, positive thoughts, clarity, contentment and a healthy self-confidence offer both mother and unborn child the basis for optimum physical and mental health and the practices of Yoga, relaxation and breathing exercises easily sustain this positive wellbeing.
The mind and the breath are inextricably linked and nowhere is this more apparent than when practicing Yoga. Normally the frequency and depth of our breathing is an unconscious mechanism governed by the brain however, we can also exert conscious control over the breath and thus alter its rhythm. The effect of slow, deep breathing is due to the greater expansion of the lungs with an increased absorption of oxygen and corresponding release of carbon dioxide. The physiological result is a calming of the nervous system and heart rate, relaxation of muscles and calming of the mind, which means mothers can utilise this breathing technique at will. This powerful technique truly empowers women in any situation (pregnancy, birthing and parenting), providing the capacity to derive control.
Here are two testimonials: “Yoga helped me to stay focused calm and alert through my long induced labour, I was still very determined to have a natural birth. Yoga helped me be aware enough of making the right choices during my difficult and long labour when things did not go as I had hoped. I was able to accept the needed Caesarean for the safety of myself and baby and used the breathing techniques to help cope with my anxiety about the operation.”
“Thank you for the Prenatal Yoga classes. I practiced the breathing techniques during my early labour at home. This helped me stay calm and focused, and by the time we got to hospital I was 8 cm and only a couple of hours later, gave birth naturally to our beautiful baby boy.”
In addition, mental health is gained through the regular practice of Deep Relaxation and Meditation which helps reveal the type of thoughts that create restlessness and unease. Awareness of these is the first step in eliminating them and thus acquiring a serene and positive state of mind.
