The Benefits Of Prenatal Yoga
When you are pregnant, you may find it challenging to stay active and fit. Fortunately, many yoga studios have begun offering a type of yoga explicitly geared toward expectant mothers. Prenatal yoga is not only useful in helping you stay active while pregnant, but it could also help prepare you for labor and ensure your child’s health. Want to learn more? Below, we’ve outlined the benefits of prenatal yoga and what you can expect when taking a class.
How is prenatal yoga beneficial?
Prenatal yoga instructors are certified in various techniques that can help prepare you for childbirth. The classes typically rely on a multifaceted approach based on three primary pillars:
- Mental focus and clarity
- Stretching
- Controlled breathing
Studies have found that prenatal yoga could help reduce stress and anxiety, a common symptom of pregnancy. Prenatal yoga could also help improve your sleep. Perhaps most essential is the fact that prenatal yoga could increase the flexibility, strength, and endurance of the muscles you’ll most likely need during childbirth. Additionally, researchers also believe that the practice could help decrease shortness of breath, nausea, headaches, and lower back pain.
Lastly, if you are feeling lonely while pregnant, prenatal yoga could provide you with a social group. While you may have supportive friends and family, there’s a strong likelihood that none of them are currently experiencing what you’re going through. Taking prenatal yoga classes with other pregnant mothers allows you to connect with women who are sharing experiences similar to yours in a warm, welcoming environment.
Many pregnant mothers often view prenatal yoga as one of the least active forms of yoga. It is significantly less strenuous than, say, hot yoga. Hot yoga and other rigorous practices are dangerous for pregnant mothers because they can spike a mother’s temperature, jeopardizing the baby’s health.
Other yoga practices that could be relevant or worth taking include restorative yoga and hatha yoga. Before participating in a prenatal yoga class, we recommend that you talk to the instructor to learn more about what the course will entail and steps you’ll go through during class sessions, you should also talk with your obstetrician.
What can you expect from prenatal yoga classes?
Before beginning prenatal yoga, we recommend that you set realistic goals. Don’t overdo it – most doctors recommend approximately 30 to 60 minutes of moderate physical activity five days per week when pregnant. Combining a short prenatal yoga session with moderate walking could prove useful in helping you keep in shape as you prepare for childbirth.
The prenatal yoga class should be calm and relaxing. As a rule of thumb, you should be able to have a normal conversation during a prenatal yoga class. If you find yourself out of breath, you’re likely pushing yourself harder than necessary. Similarly, make sure that you are cool and hydrated during class. The instructor should keep the room well-ventilated, and you should consume plenty of fluids during your session.
One of the primary areas your instructor will focus on is your breathing. Your instructor will likely teach you calming breathing techniques, such as breathing into your nose slowly and deeply. Many mothers find that the lessons they learn here help them handle contractions and shortness of breath, which is common during labor.
Your instructor will then likely take you through a series of stretching and posture exercises. Don’t be surprised if your instructor encourages you to use props, such as a cushion or blanket. Your instructor will assist you to stretch areas of the body that hold a lot of tension during pregnancy, such as the neck and shoulders.
They’ll work with you to achieve full range of motion when stretching. You’ll also likely be encouraged to bend and stretch from the hips to help maintain a normal spine curvature. Additionally, you probably won’t do any twisting movements or stretches during this class.
Toward the end of your class, your instructor should take you through a cool down and relaxation period, where you will rediscover your resting heart rate and a calm breathing rhythm. Your instructor may play music and encourage you to listen to your breathing and connect with your child. The goal of the class should be to leave feeling relaxed and calm.
Choose the proper equipment
It’s critical that you choose the proper equipment for your yoga sessions. One of the essential things you’ll need to consider is the type of mat you select. You’ll want to choose a mat that provides plenty of cushioning. Even if you are an experienced yogi, you could find it more difficult than usual to maintain positions. Choosing a mat that is perhaps a bit stickier than usual could help.
Similarly, you’ll want to make sure that your mat is made of all-natural materials. Since you’ll likely be spending a lot of time on your mat, you won’t want to be around any chemicals that could harm your child, such as PVC. Look for products that are biodegradable, such as mats made from:
- Cotton
- Hemp
- Jute
Lastly, you’ll want to make sure that you protect your immune system when practicing prenatal yoga. Sweat can act as a breading ground for bacteria, which you’ll end up dripping onto your mat during the workout. Additionally, if you are practicing in a yoga studio, you’ll subject yourself to the germs and bacteria of others. During pregnancy, your immune system is in flux, and you could find yourself more susceptible infections.
One of the best ways to keep yourself healthy when practicing prenatal yoga is with Yoga Mat Spray. These sprays are entirely natural and come in a variety of scents. They are a safe, effective way to sterilize your mat and protect your health when practicing prenatal yoga.
Have You Tried Prenatal Yoga?
If you are pregnant or were recently pregnant and tried prenatal yoga, we want to hear from you! What were your experiences with the classes? Did you find that they helped you with your childbirth? Please feel free to share your experiences in our comment section below with others who may soon be preparing for a child. We look forward to hearing from you!
yoga s great ecercise for all and then the pets
good
As a former Labor & Delivery nurse and a present yoga practitioner I truly believe that yoga can be most beneficial in all respects for labor.
Thanks for all the info.
Wish I’d considered pre natal yoga sooner
Will keep it in mind when I get pregnant
I need to send this article to my daughter. She is 30 weeks pregnant. She did yoga daily before she was pregnant, then stopped doing it almost totally. Thanks for the good information.
I’ve never done yoga while pregnant, papa bear hover of mine didn’t like it! But definitely wanting to add this into my next pregnancy!
I’ve never been pregnant before. But, if I somehow found myself to be pregnant, I’d definitely consider doing prenatal yoga, especially after having read this article and discovering all the benefits participating in it can provide to a pregnant woman.
I wish Id have done Yoga during my last pregnancies.
I have never tried yoga but it does sound relaxing
Great Info ♥️
That would be a very good thing for expecting mothers. Yoga is all about breathing and stretching.
My sister did yoga throughout her pregnancy. She felt great and did wonderful during birthing.
Prenatal Yoga is fantastic! I have never done this, having three children 27 years ago this was before my time! However, I am sending my kids this blog! I am certain post- baby yoga is also very beneficial! Thank you for such great information and to all you happy new mommies and babies to be! 👶🏻
I’m so glad people are more open to this and are finding out it’s for prenatal care as well! Very well done!
Very informational!
Agreed! Stretches helped me a lot!
sounds interesting
Prenatal yoga sounds very beneficial. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for the info. I will be getting pregnant on Wednesday (God willing)!
Great information. Yoga is a great way to relax and Dr stress
I wish that I would have known about prenatal yoga when I was pregnant. It would have been such a help.
Important to note, great to do mild exercise when pregnant. I’ve seen this practice
Yoga is awesome exercise. I did yoga daily when I was pregnant. Yoga is also quite beneficial post baby
Yoga wasn’t even on my radar when I was pregnant.
yoga is amazing for so many things I do yoga every day.
Yes – all round health benefits
This sounds very helpful for pregnant women.
Great information for pregnency!
I always think about to start yoga but then I get lazy and I say “umm, nevermind” lol.
It’s so helpful for those dealing with stress. Once again, thanks to you!
Forwarding to a friend!
not pregnant, but i love yoga
Sounds interesting. Need to try this
I wish I would have known this when I had my children, I will pass the article along to my pregnant sister in law.
I do yoga everyday and it is super helpful!
I am far past the “prenatal” stage when it comes to yoga. lol. I wish I knew about this years ago! Anything that makes being pregnant easier has got to be good!
Love this! Sharing this info with family and friends. Thank You!
This sounds great for my friend who is pregnant, will share this with her, thank you.
Great blog
A lot of good advice some of which I had never heard of or thought of.
GREAT EXERCISE FOR PREGNANT WOMAN
Amazing article! Thank you
Wow, if only I came across this info while pregnant with my babies
I haven’t had kids yet, but definitely interested in trying before and during.
A few of my friends would love this!!! Definitely a great article and will pass on the info.
Sounds relaxing!
Wish I had this information 19 years ago
It makes sense that yoga would be beneficial to expectant mothers. I only wish this information was around when I was having children.
I showed this article to my pregnant daughter and she has started to do yoga again, thanks!
I would have done this 40 years ago if I’d know about it. Very good for expecting mothers.
i wish i would love to have down with my kids
Great tips thank you
i wish i would have know about this when i was pregnant
Oh if only I had this article when I was pregnant 8yrs ago! As much as I enjoy yoga now, I wouldn’t have thought to do it when I was pregnant.
I have never tried yoga but have heard from some that it is very relaxing
I can’t talk enough about the benefits ! Amazing !!
Wish they had this when I was pregnant!