| The benefits and risks of yoga during pregnancy | | | | easier. However, it works on all connective tissue, so |
| Many expectant mothers are signing up for prenatal | | | | you can more easily tear or otherwise damage |
| yoga classes, buying prenatal yoga videos and books, | | | | muscles, ligaments and joints while stretching into some |
| or otherwise exploring the possibility of practicing yoga | | | | of the poses. Care is needed to avoid over-stretching |
| while pregnant. What risks are they taking, and what | | | | at this time. |
| benefits can they expect | | | | Given these risks, why would anyone want to follow a |
| If your activity level prior to pregnancy has been fairly | | | | yoga practice while pregnant |
| low, pregnancy may not be the best time to begin a | | | | Simply, the risks are easy to minimize by modifying |
| yoga practice. Experts disagree on this point; some | | | | your routine, under the guidance of a qualified prenatal |
| hold that even the complete couch potato will benefit | | | | yoga instructor, while the benefits, both for you and |
| from a very gentle yoga regime. Consult your | | | | your growing child, can be enormous. |
| obstetrician before making the decision either way; you | | | | BENEFITS |
| may have a medical condition that would make yoga | | | | - Yoga raises your energy level, which can be low as |
| more dangerous for you than for the average woman. | | | | the growing child puts demands on your body. |
| Sedentary moms-to-be may find a walking or | | | | - Yogic breathing, an integral part of the discipline, helps |
| swimming program better suits their needs. | | | | keep you and your baby fully oxygenated and your |
| RISKS | | | | own mood calm; this can be of great benefit, since you |
| - As in any activity, there are risks associated with | | | | will find your nerves are more easily frazzled by the |
| practicing yoga while pregnant. In the first trimester, | | | | hormones surging at this time. |
| before the placenta is firmly rooted and risks of | | | | - Many of the physical ills of pregnancy - ankle swelling, |
| miscarriage are higher, the lunging and jumping that | | | | backaches, morning sickness - can be lessened or |
| some of the yoga 'asanas' or positions call for should | | | | relieved altogether by practicing yoga. |
| certainly be modified by replacing the lunge with a | | | | - The flexibility and stamina achieved by regular yoga |
| forward step, for instance. Many yoga books and | | | | practice will serve you well during delivery and |
| videos show how to alter the asanas to make them | | | | recovery. |
| less risky at this time. | | | | Most experts agree that, barring some abnormal |
| - Later, as your child's weight in your belly increases, | | | | condition that precludes it, most women will benefit |
| postures that require you to lie flat on your back can | | | | from a regular yoga practice, and that this practice, |
| decrease blood flow to the uterus and risk harming | | | | suitably altered, can continue through your pregnancy |
| your growing baby; lying-down postures should be | | | | as well. For your own and your child's safety, make |
| modified or avoided altogether. | | | | sure you are following best pre-natal yoga practices |
| - Pregnancy causes the production and release of a | | | | and not trying to imitate the yogi who can twist |
| hormone called relaxin that allows the uterus to | | | | themselves into knots and make sure to consult with |
| expand and the joints to loosen, which makes delivery | | | | your obstetrician before proceeding. |