Is Prenatal Yoga Safe?

Is Prenatal Yoga Safe?

Yoga has been a part of India’s history for the last 5000 years and finds its roots deep within the philosophical spectrum of the Indian subcontinent. The word Yoga means “Union”, and the philosophy outlines the union between consciousness and the universe. The yogic philosophy is a dualistic philosophy where the two elements are “Prakriti” meaning “World” and “Purush” meaning “Man” or “Consciousness”. It is when both these elements come together that “life” is created. 

Even though this article does not delve into the nitty-gritty of the philosophical aspect, it is important to state the definition so that with every practice one keeps in mind the eventual goal. It is through this union that comes peace and serenity within the life of an individual. 

This particular article is about a small section of this monumental philosophy known as Prenatal Yoga. Much like everything that exists, yoga has also evolved to its contemporary understanding of more of an exercise routine. The asanas that are practised are only a small section of the yogic philosophy. Within the Yogic Sutra called “Sukham, Stiram, Asanam” are a multitude of asanas that help in improving the health and wellbeing of an individual. Prenatal Yoga is one small segment within this Yoga Sutra that has been choreographed in a way that it finds its applications within every trimester of the pregnancy phase. 

What is Prenatal Yoga?

Prenatal Yoga is a specific practice designed for pregnant women. The asanas in this practice are less intense in nature and are an excellent and organic way to prepare the body for childbirth. The asanas are usually practised alongside some intense breathing techniques and meditation making it an all-around wellness indulgence. The asanas help with increasing body flexibility and endurance while the breathing and meditation techniques help induce a sense of relaxation within the body. 

Related Blog: Prenatal Yoga Guide: All You Need To Know

The asanas in this practice have been choreographed to fit each trimester and some of the benefits reaped from these yoga techniques have been briefly discussed below:

• Practising prenatal yoga is a good way to enhance sleep.
• The asanas, breathing techniques, and meditation help in reducing anxiety and stress. 
• Prenatal Yoga improves body flexibility and physical endurance, both of which are essential during birthing. 
• Lower back difficulties, respiratory issues, joint pains, headaches, and nausea can all be helped through the practice of these yogic techniques. 
• Helps in weight loss. 
• Prenatal yoga helps the mother in understanding her changing body which eventually improves the bond between the mother and the child. 
• Prenatal Yoga is extremely beneficial as it prepares the body for the post-partum period. 

The Pregnancy phase is a delicate time in a woman’s life. It must be dealt with very carefully. Any sort of stress may increase the discomfort which not only affects the mother and child but also the rest of the family. It is advisable that you consult your doctor before joining any prenatal yoga class and it is of utmost importance that these asanas are practised under the guidance of professionals. 

There are many new centers that have come up in recent times to teach prenatal yoga to pregnant women so that they can experience a more comfortable pregnancy phase. Under the right guidance these asanas, breathing techniques, and meditation techniques can be highly beneficial in preparing the body for both childbirth and after.

It is vital that any sort of overexertion or fatigue be avoided so as to ensure a comfortable journey through the 3 trimesters. In order to avoid any uncomfortable situations, certain precautions must be taken during this delicate phase. 

• Backbends that are more intense, such as Tiriang Mukhottanasana and Anuvittasana Inverted, place more strain on the core region of the body. The Adho Mukha Svanasana (commonly known as the downward-facing dog position), Chakrasana, and Halasana are among the frequent asanas to avoid in this circumstance. 
• Avoid doing a lot of Kapalabhati (which is a part of the pranayama exercises) 
• Avoid intense sessions like Hot Yoga
• Avoid hopping or jumping.

Is Prenatal Yoga Safe?

Prenatal yoga is just a contemporary term for a well-designed routine. Yoga professionals have taken regular asanas from the Yoga Sutras and designed prenatal yoga courses for women. It is a well-established and recognized routine in today’s contemporary environment. After consulting your gynecologist you can apply for the prenatal yoga session which will be conducted by qualified professionals. Under their guidance, you can hope to reap the most out of the sessions.

Prenatal yoga is absolutely safe and extremely beneficial, but certain limits need to be set so as to avoid overexertion and fatigue.

Summary

In conclusion, prenatal yoga can be described as a pragmatic approach to preparing the body for childbirth. Alleviating stress and inducing a relaxed mind and body is most important during the pregnancy phase. There are a multitude of benefits of this practice and is highly recommended by medical professionals.

The article defines prenatal yoga in great detail and then goes on to outline the benefits that are reaped through its practice. Most of the worries and questions about prenatal yoga are answered in this article, which also provides a short description of the precautions that must be considered while practising this form of yoga. For more information, you can always log onto the official website. 

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