Yoga has been proven to support a calmer and quicker labour and birth with positive results for healing post birth. Many skills are learned during yoga that can be taken into the birth experience (natural and Caesarian). By practicing pregnancy yoga women are setting a strong intention to not only care for themselves, but also their babies. In our busy lives, taking the time to nurture oneself sends a powerful message of love to self and baby, creating a strong foundation on which to build a new life.
Although this may be one of the most profound reasons to practice yoga, there are so many other benefits during pregnancy. As baby grows bigger, more energy and strength is needed to carry the extra weight; yoga strengthens the back, hips, legs, arms and shoulders. Tensions in these areas is also relieved. Other benefits include the nervous system dropping into parasympathetic, allowing the digestion to work better, encouraging better and deeper sleep. The lymphatic is stimulated which keeps the immune system strong and circulation is greatly improved – all this helping to create a healthy environment for our babies to thrive. Our balance is challenged in yoga, which in turn gives focus to the mind, fine tuning balance on a physical and emotional level. Learning to breathe correctly brings extra oxygen to baby and also gives mother the tools needed to labour effectively. Pregnancy yoga connects mother intimately to her breath, what is happening deep within her body and helps mother connect to baby. Calm breath means calm mother and happy baby. |