Yoga helps the body prepare for childbirth

Many women practice yoga during their pregnancy, indeed many find and experience yoga for the first time during this period. Yoga has an amazing ability to calm the mind and strengthen and stabilize the body. It also has the affect of opening the joints and muscles, something that fits perfectly with what lays ahead for pregnant women, birth.

This practice of breathing and stretching need not be too ardous during pregnancy. The body is already slowly getting itself ready through the process of releasing relaxin into the body. The hormone that starts to lessen the tightness of the muscles, joints and ligaments. It is this relaxin that actually makes it imperative to not over stretch the muscles. Doing so at this point can overstretch them and it can be difficult for them to keep the spine aligned and the torso supported.

The awareness that can be gained through attending pregnancy yoga classes is invaluable though. Aside from the bonding with other women going through a similar experience, women can learn the art of breathing and controlling the mind, something that will help them very much during birth.

Hip opening postures need not be excessive and painful but learnt with the breath and grace, women can progress through all the stages of pregnancy slowly and surely opening their body and preparing it for birth.

Badha Konasana is one posture that will work for most women in this time. Whatever their fitness or yogic experience may be. Opening the hips and learning to breathe are the basic requirements for a healthy mama and an opening body. This posture is particularly good for pregnancy. Women can work it as much or as little as they need to. Connecting with their baby and feeling good by harnessing their own power.

One thing that practicing yoga will bring to most women is a sense of empowerment, taking their own lead in this process. Absolutely. Using and awakening the strength within is a powerful and accessible process for all women. It is up to us how far we go with it.

See for yourself, find a local class and give it a go. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed attending pregnancy classes with my two children. I developed friendships that have endured to this day. My children play and love other children that the mamas and I met at class. My teachers also handed out valuable information for the first time mother. I was nervous and scared and their teachings helped me to calm my mind and stop the panicking I was getting involved with.

During both of my births I heard my teacher “successful birth is within me”. I was surprised that I was able to draw so much strength from this and her but I was able. I have since passed on this vital information to other friends and family and it has been my pleasure to hear from these women after their births that my words helped them to continue. In fact, gave them a source of power.

Pregnancy yoga is fun and gentle but more importantly it is a meeting place for women to help each other. Our tribal days are gone now but pregnancy is nothing if not a tribal process. Go to the fire circle, meet the other women and see how you feel. It is good and fun and ultimately very powerful.