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Benefit of Prenatal Yoga for Mum's Social and Spiritual Health

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mother holding baby

Yoga prepares Mums

Social health is an individual’s ability to communicate with others without conflict, to live in harmony with people and nature, whilst maintaining respect for the environment plus the creatures and others that live therein. The philosophy of Yoga encourages active engagement in sustaining social health in order to create a responsible and caring society for our children. We are reminded that we are all inter-connected beings and as such all share the same desire for peace, happiness and contentment in the world.

 Spiritual health is about awakening to the essence of our human nature – our Soul or Self. This can be discovered during states of Deep Relaxation and Meditation when the mind is still, peaceful and calm. Unique to the Yoga in Daily Life system is the Self-Enquiry Meditation technique which is a tool to better understand ourselves and others, and to learn the purpose of our life. With spiritual health being the birthright of every human being it is essential for mothers to nurture this aspect of her life.

My personal testimonial supports this: “It was at my third trainee birth as a Doula and the birthing mother was a very vocal Russian lady determined to have a natural birth in the Birth Centre of RPA Sydney.  At one stage she was checked for the third time and told she was just 5 cm dilated after 9 hours of labour - this caused her great stress. She yelled help at me so many times throughout these checks and I was wondering what I could do to help. This being only my third Doula experience I felt helpless and unsure. I sat quietly and patiently holding her hands and while she begged to God, I prayed to God too thinking “God what can I do?” and thanks to God it came to me. I just simply said Trust in yourself that you will be OK, all is OK”.  I felt sure these words were for me as much as for her. Well a couple of hours later she was pushing her baby out, all natural birth. Weeks later in her testimonial to me, she said it was these exact words that had reassured her and given her the strength to go on.”

YOGA OFFERS SUPPORT FOR A NATURAL BIRTHING EXPERIENCE

Birthing mothers have found that many Yoga postures are quite natural for her body to position itself in during labour. The more familiar birthing mothers are with the Yoga and Breath techniques, the more easily she may use them to adapt to the different stages of birth. For example, using the ability to mentally and physically relax at will is very helpful in recovery between contractions.

Each mum-to-be will have her own unique experience during pregnancy and the birthing process. 
During this special time in life, the practices of Yoga will provide nurturing support for her body, mind and soul.

Throughout Australia, Yoga in Daily Life offers specific Prenatal Yoga Classes with qualified instructors.

SYDNEY: Annandale (Inner West of Sydney)  Dee Why (Northern beaches of Sydney)

QLD: Brisbane &    Sunshine Coast

VIC:   RICHMOND in Melbourne

 Join us on Facebook for more prenatal information.


Getting Baby into Optimum Position for Birth

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As the day of birth draws near, it is recommended to avoid positions that influence baby's spine to fall back against yours (posterior), such as resting and leaning too far back in the lounge with feet up, or anything where knees are higher than your pelvis. Instead, try resting positons that have you laying on your side, not your back. Spend more time leaning forward, kneeling and when sitting your trunk should be tilted slightly forwards. Sitting on a birth/exercise ball is a great way to encourage the pelvis to tilt forward (anterior).

Certain yoga postures can help avoid posterior positioning of the baby and these include:

“Majari” the Cat Posture is a wonderful way during pregnancy and labour to rock baby into an optimum birthing position. This yoga posture utilises gravity to encourage baby to turn away from the spine. Try to circulate the hips to create space for baby to move. These can be natural positions to utilise in your labour.

 

Majari - The Cat Posture

 "Shashankasana” the Hare Posture, is an introverting pose that is not only helpful for alleviating anxiety, it can help to relax back muscles and encourage baby to turn with the use of gravity. This posture can be a wonderful resting position in birth, leaning over a bean bag or the bed, giving easy access for support people to massage your back.

 

Shashankasana - The Hare Posture

 Authored by Jen Schellhorn, Doula and Prenatal Yoga Instructor


Yoga for Pregnancy, Birth & Beyond

 

pregnant bellyIt’s imperative for mums to sustain a healthy, balanced lifestyle in order to meet the transitions and challenges of parenthood. Yoga classes are a perfect way to prepare physically, mentally and spiritually for birth and motherhood. From the moment of conception, mothers give unconditionally and will do so for years to come. The practices and techniques of Yoga enhance a mother’s health and quality of life, and support her to be a source of inspiration and strength for her family. See our Facebook page for more prenatal info AND click on a link below for classes in a suburb near you.

BENEFITS OF YOGA IN PREGNANCY, BIRTH & BEYOND

• Nourishes body, mind & soul
• Provides mental calm – helps adjust to the new condition
• Gradually strengthens the body
• Tones inner organs & may help prevent uterus prolapse
• Helps relieve back pain & joint pain
• Can help alleviate morning sickness
• May prevent high blood-pressure & toxaemia
• Provides relief from fluid retention
• Enhances the mother’s awareness of her own body and builds confidence in her abilities.

For 10 years I have instructed Prenatal Yoga classes throughout Australia according the system of Yoga in Daily Life, adapted for the pregnant woman. Forty years ago the system of Yoga in Daily Life was scientifically designed by Yoga master Paramhans Swami Maheshwarananda, in collaboration with a team of doctors and physiotherapists. It was researched and tested for efficacy and safety whilst maintaining the authenticity of the traditional yoga techniques. In the Prenatal Yoga class I utilize Level One of this eight-level system and incorporate practices to nurture the four pillars of health which is unique to Yoga in Daily Life: physical health, mental health, social health and spiritual health.

 

'Yoga in Daily Life' offers specific Prenatal Yoga Classes with qualified instructors.   
NSW: 
Annandale (Inner West of Sydney) 
Dee Why (Northern beaches of Sydney)
QLD: 
Fortitude Valley in Brisbane 
Maroochydore in the Sunshine Coast
VIC:   
RICHMOND in Melbourne


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