Prenatal yoga can be a great form of exercise for pregnant women. However, even before engaging in any form of exercise it is best to consult your physician. We can read all the pregnancy books in the library but keep in mind that all pregnancies are different. Having said this, you should always exercise prenatal yoga at a pace you’re comfortable with, not putting too much pressure on yourself and your baby.
Be Mindful Of Your Body And Your Baby
Always be aware of your changing body during prenatal yoga. Make sure to adapt yoga poses to have room for your growing belly. And if there are certain yoga poses that seem uncomfortable to you, it is best to stop at the earliest sign of tiredness and pain. Continuing any challenging yoga poses could lead to nausea and dizziness.
It is best to avoid any yoga poses that strongly utilizes abdominal muscles. You should also avoid any backward bending. When moving from one posture to another, you should move slowly and avoid any sudden movements. Any pressure on the belly should always be avoided. If you need to stand up from a lying position, you should first roll to the side and use your arms for support.
Breathe In, Breathe Out
Since prenatal yoga is more focused on breathing exercises and stretching, make sure to keep a stable breathing pattern. If at any point you start puffing, you should discontinue the yoga pose and take a moment to relax and catch your breath. You should never try to hold your breath during any yoga poses. To be more at ease, also try breathing exercises.
Prenatal yoga exercises are great since they offer gentle movement and no real physical strain. You should never force yourself to do any position that you feel is uncomfortable because this may lead to overstretching or damaging the joints and muscles. Keep in mind that the joints and muscles get softer during pregnancy so it is important to go with yoga poses that are less strenuous. Some prenatal yoga poses can be tricky, so always be aware of your balance. If necessary, use props to help you with overcoming balancing prenatal yoga poses.
