Pregnancy yoga is an excellent way to give even the busiest and most stressed mom a quiet and natural delivery. It can quiet the mind and soul and forge a deep connection between the mom and her baby. It can help the mother relax, enjoy the experience and have a smooth natural birth, but amazingly, it can also help the unborn baby to develop special peace and even a stronger immune system. There are five parts of prenatal yoga that are important to concentrate on.
The most basic is exercising. Yoga courses are a great option. One's doctor may be able to point a woman in the right direction for prenatal classes. There are specific exercises that are perfect for each trimester as the woman's body continues to change and grow. They can make a woman limber and can strengthen her core and pelvis which will greatly improve the muscles needed for childbirth. These exercises have also been shown to effectively reduce morning sickness and mood swings.
Another positive tool is meditation. This meditation can be done in a group setting but is even more effective if done alone in a quiet and peaceful setting where the woman feels no stress or cares. Meditation accomplishes two major things during pregnancy. The first is that it deals with many of the fears and struggles that a woman feels regarding her changing body and the major changes in her life. The second is that deep meditation is believed to connect the woman in a positive way with her fetus.
The specific kind of breathing used in yoga, known as pranayama, is highly effective during pregnancy. It supplies the fetus with large amounts of life-giving oxygen. Also, it can prepare a woman for breathing properly during childbirth.
Mudras are the hand and finger gestures that are believed to strongly affect a woman's reproductive system. Here are just a few of the many varieties.
- The Gyan Mudra is accomplished by bending the middle finger toward the palm and pushing it down with the thumb while keeping the other fingers straight. It produces happiness and strengthens mental functions.
- The Apaan Mudra is accomplished by holding the tips of the thumb, middle and ring fingers together while keeping the other fingers straight. It can help women who suffer from the common pre- and postnatal problems of constipation.
- The Prana Mudra is accomplished by holding the tips of the thumb, ring and little fingers together while keeping the other fingers straight. It aids in producing a powerful life force.
- The Prithvi Mudra is accomplished by hold the tips of the thumb and ring finger together. It creates happiness and a strong body.
Finally, deep relaxation can be achieved by the special yoga sleep known as Nidra. It has been said that one hour of this kind of sleep can make up for four hours of regular sleep. As can be imagined, this is particularly important suring the postnatal period when moms are incredibly busy and feeling worn out and run down.
Pregnancy yoga gives a huge array of benefits to the mother as well as to the child before and after he is born. Participating in any one of these activities can greatly aid childbirth. However, by combining all five of these and also by seeking a private yoga instructor, the birthing process can be one that is filled with joy instead of fear and stress.
Anna Wehr has learned a lot about pregnancy yoga classes practices and how balance yoga can tone the body after pregnancy.