Maintaining optimum health is important for everyone, especially the pregnant woman. Regular practice of Yoga postures specific for pregnancy helps to relieve body fatigue, release tension, increase flexibility and promote strength, by the gentle stretching of muscles, extending of limbs, rotation of joints and mobilizing the spine. These practices also significantly benefit the internal function of the body’s organs thereby aiding circulation, digestion, respiration, heart function, as well as regulating the nervous system. Many of the Yoga practices are utilized by pregnant women to address common ailments that arise during pregnancy such as insomnia, lower back pain, leg-cramping, fatigue, digestive upsets etc.
The increased flexibility and strength gained from practising Yoga helps the mother’s body become comfortably balanced and prepared for an active birth. As pregnancy progresses and the weight of the baby places pressure on the spine, Yoga will support these changes by helping to improve a woman’s posture. Also the practice of Yoga can encourage the baby into optimal birthing position. There are many anecdotes of baby’s turning into optimum position with the aid of some Yoga postures and in the same way, birthing mothers frequently instinctively use certain Yoga postures during labour. I have certainly witnessed this in my experience as a Doula.
A recent testimony from a Prenatal Yoga practitioner: “I practiced Yoga throughout pregnancy and when I went into labour I calmly made my way to the hospital, expecting a long and painful experience. When I got there the hospital was full and I had to stay in the Birth Centre until a room in the Labour Ward became available. However, I ended up birthing my son naturally in just 4 hours. I truly believe it was through the help of Yoga and breathing properly and keeping calm that allowed me to birth so quickly and calmly.”
Even after birth, the practice of Yoga supports the mother, as these testimonies show: “I have found some of the simple Yoga moves such as shoulder rolls and working with the breath helpful in relieving my aching shoulders and neck whilst breastfeeding, I also enjoy meditating or just simply focusing on my deep breathing whilst breastfeeding and feel so relaxed and connected with my daughter in this way”.
“Through out my pregnancy I practiced Yoga and Relaxation and now am using these techniques during in mothering. I am especially practicing Pranayama breathing each afternoon and it has been a God-send and helps me to clear the cobwebs from lack of sleep and reenergize myself, helping me to cope with the demands of my new baby.”
In the Prenatal Yoga class, all postures are practiced mindfully and participants are encouraged to close the eyes in order to heighten observation of one’s own body. In this way the pregnant woman increases awareness and learns respect for any limitations or changes, rather than ignore, push or strain the body. Yoga combined with a healthy diet, good eating habits and sufficient rest, will result in sustained levels of energy and a positive disposition throughout pregnancy and childbirth.
