Although yoga has been around for thousands of years, it only became popular in the United States in the 1960s.
No one knows who invented prenatal yoga, although its popularity can be attributed in large part to the well-known yoga teacher Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa.
It can be practiced by women at any stage of pregnancy, although the exact positions used will depend on how comfortable a woman feels doing a particular exercise and what stage of pregnancy she is in.
How and Why is Prenatal Yoga Popular?
Prenatal yoga is gentle and flowing and there are many reasons why women choose to practice it. However, one of the primary reasons is the fact that it increases flexibility, thus helping the body to deal with its changing shape and the many aches and pains that come along with it.
It also helps to exercise the muscles for labor and delivery, since it reduces the chances of tearing and makes it less likely for the doctor to use forceps.
At the same time prenatal yoga like all other forms of yogA can have a spiritual element ?
It can easily be combined with chanting and meditation. Many pregnant women do prenatal yoga exercises because they appreciate including this spiritual element in their lives.
Sample Poses
Although these yoga exercises are not strenuous, it is important to warm up before starting.
Warm-up by either sitting cross-legged on a mat or sitting in a “warrior position” (sitting on one’s heels with toes flat on the mat). A woman should then breathe in and breathe out ten times.
One popular pose is known as the “cow pose”. It involves getting on all fours with your hands, knees, and toes touching the mat. Once in this position, a woman should arch her back up and down.
This exercise stretches the back and shoulders and strengthens the spine
Yet another good position is the squat. Open your feet from mat distance apart, put your hands in prayer position, push your hips back, and then slowly squat.
The squat position should be held as long as possible before getting up and trying again.
Squats are a particularly good exercise for women in their third trimester of pregnancy, as they open the pelvic floor and reduce swelling in the feet and ankles.
How to Get Started
A woman who is not familiar with how to practice prenatal yoga can join a yoga center for classes, purchase a prenatal yoga DVD, or find various poses online and imitate them. However, the first two options are usually best, as improperly performed exercises can strain the muscles and cause serious discomfort.
It is always a good idea to talk to a doctor before starting a new exercise regimen while pregnant. A doctor can give good advice as to which positions are and are not safe.
A woman who feels any sort of discomfort while doing pre-natal yoga exercises should immediately stop the form of exercise in question.
prenatal yoga is never meant to cause pain
Prenatal yoga has been around for a long time but has just as many benefits as it did thousands of years ago. It increases a pregnant woman’s flexibility, reduces pain, and prepares the body for labor and delivery.
Do prenatal yoga poses do not harm either the mother or the baby. ?
CLICK HERE For More Course Inclusions and Our June Main Event
Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gurmukh_(yoga_teacher)
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/prenatal-yoga/MY01542
