Practicing yoga during pregnancy and the benefits it bestows

Pregnancy is a profound time of change and adjustment for the majority of women. Being able to cope with these changes and surrender to the natural elements at work in your body is something that is necessary but some women find this a little difficult. Yoga can help with the ability to allow these changes, both emotionally and physically.

Yoga has been a tool for centering a person and reliving stress for centuries. Yoga during pregnancy is a great way to stay flexible, in both body, mind and soul and to prepare for labour and childbirth.

It is advisable to start practicing yoga after 14 weeks, to allow the baby to "settle in" to the womb and find i's place in your body. For the first trimester it is also advisable to work on the standing poses to help strengthen the legs and promote circulation. This may reduce leg cramps and reduce fluid retention. The yoga poses are a gentle way of maintaining activity in the body and keeping your body supple. This may also minimise common pregnancy ailments such as morning sickness and constipation.

Whilst increasing the levels of energy, the yoga poses also help in slowing the metabolism to restore feelings of calm and increase your focus. Yoga has an holistic approach, this means that it affects a mother's well being as a whole ' mind and body. Thus, allowing them to surrender to the changes that accompany pregnancy and delight in them, indeed passing on the good feelings to their unborn children.

By working, stretching and strengthening the muscles used in birth, you can make the birthing experience easier. The muscles being prepared by the yoga can then do their work during labour with less stress. Many women who practice yoga during their pregnancy find that the recovery time is shorter and their mental health is better from the focus brought about by the yoga postures.

Yogic breathing and the control of Prana (energy) are extremely important during pregnancy. Just as a mother chooses to eat well during pregnancy, she should also consider the quality of the oxygen and the prana from the air she breathes for her unborn child. Pranayama (breathing techniques) are a fantastic way for a pregnant woman to provide a better life force for her child. These breathing techniques also help to alleviate emotional tension during labour and the chances of post-natal depression are reduced.

Meditation is also another incredible gift women can give themselves during pregnancy. This will help to put the pregnant mother in tune with her body and learn to listen to her body. Meditation can help to control deep neuroses, fears and worries which can play a big part in some women's pregnancy.

Find a DVD or video tape for pregnancy yoga or alternatively, find a pre-natal class in your town. These are great in that they give the expectant mother the chance to meet and bond with other women in the same situation as herself. Often, these friendships may last an incredibly long time as both children and mothers are experiencing very similar situations and can discuss and empathise with each other.