Prenatal Yoga in Fair Haven
Prenatal yoga is a wonderful way for pregnant women to nurture themselves and their growing bodies. In this class we focus on developing full body awareness as we stretch and strengthen through safe, gentle yoga poses & breath work. This practice not only minimizes the discomforts of pregnancy, but also prepares moms mentally and physically for labor and birth. Each class ends with a deep relaxation using soft music and essential oils, helping moms to feel rested and renewed. Moms also enjoy sharing information with each other about local doctors, childbirth classes, moms groups, etc., supporting each other on the mothering journey.
Doing prenatal yoga can be a wonderful way to put time aside for yourself and your baby. Although most gentle types of yoga are appropriate during pregnancy, there are a few things to avoid in order to make your pregnancy yoga experience safe and enjoyable.
Prenatal Yoga – This program helps strengthen the body for child bearing and aids in relieving the common discomforts your body experiences. Classes also help you find the time and space to look within yourself, allowing you to openly explore your own intrinsic knowledge about the process of birth.
The benefits of prenatal yoga
Prenatal yoga classes are more popular than ever. When paired with a cardiovascular exercise such as walking, yoga can be an ideal way to stay in shape during your pregnancy. This age-old practice keeps you limber, tones your muscles, and improves your balance and circulation, with little, if any, impact on your joints.
Yoga is also beneficial because it helps you learn to breathe deeply and relax, which will come in handy as you face the physical demands of labor, birth, and motherhood. In fact, one of the first things you learn in a yoga class is how to breathe fully. The breathing technique known as ujjayi requires you to take in air slowly through your nose, filling your lungs, and exhale completely until your stomach compresses.
Learning how to do ujjayi breathing primes you for labor and childbirth by training you to stay calm when you need it most. When you’re in pain or afraid, your body produces adrenalin and may produce less oxytocin, a hormone that makes labor progress. A regular yoga practice will help you fight the urge to tighten up when you feel pain, and show you how to relax instead.
Along these same lines, according to a report in the April 2009 issue of the Harvard Mental Health Letter, rigorous studies have found scientific proof that yoga helps the body deal with stress by slowing heart and breathing rates and lowering blood pressure — which can benefit new moms after the baby’s born, too.
The benefits of yoga aren’t limited to your physical well-being. Taking a prenatal yoga class is a great way to meet other pregnant women to become part of a community. Being in a positive, supportive environment with others like you can give you a regular emotional boost and keep you motivated to continue exercising.
First-trimester yoga tips
Seek out an instructor who is specifically trained in prenatal yoga, but if that’s not possible, make sure your instructor knows you’re expecting, says Denise. You probably don’t have many restrictions this early in your pregnancy, but remember to follow the 13 rules of safe pregnancy exercise such as drinking lots of water before, during, and after exercising to keep your body hydrated.
Breathe deeply and regularly as you stretch. If you’re a pro at yoga, recognize and accept that your regular routine will require modifications as time goes on.
Second-trimester yoga tips
Your joints are beginning to loosen up now, so proceed with caution. Be aware, too, that your slowly expanding girth will affect your sense of balance. Don’t try to hold poses for a long time, and remember to sink into yoga positions slowly and carefully to avoid injury. Take your time and don’t overdo it. Avoid lying flat on your back now, too, to keep blood flowing properly to your uterus.
Third-trimester yoga tips
You’re probably feeling less graceful now that your belly is bigger, so perform standing poses with your heel to the wall or use a chair for support to avoid losing your balance and risking injury to yourself or your baby. Props such as blocks and straps can also help you move through different poses with greater stability.
Best poses for pregnancy
Cobbler’s or Tailor’s pose (baddha konasana): This sitting pose helps open the pelvis. If you are very loose-jointed in your hips, make sure your “sit bones” are well grounded on the mat or blanket (gently pulling the flesh on each side of your bottom out a bit will help you find the right position). Place pillows or rolled-up towels under your knees to avoid hyperextension of your hips.
Pelvic tilt or Cat-Cow: This position helps relieve back pain, a common problem during pregnancy.
Squatting: Denise recommends that her prenatal yoga students squat every day to relax and open the pelvis and strengthen the upper legs. As you start to feel heavier in pregnancy, use props such as yoga blocks or a few stacked books on which to rest your bottom. Focus on relaxing and letting your breath drop deeply into your belly.
Side-lying position: This is a good resting pose for the end of a practice.
Other good poses during pregnancy: Try the standing postures Warrior I (virabhadrasana I), Warrior II (virabhadrasana II), and Tree (vrksasana). These poses help strengthen your joints and improve your balance. Warrior poses can also ease backache and sciatica.Downward-Facing Dog (adho mukha vrksanasana) can energize your whole body, but it’s best not to do this position in your third trimester. Your yoga instructor may recommend variations on any of these classic poses.
