8 Powerful Benefits of Prenatal Yoga

Yoga, with its numerous benefits and advantages for both our body and mind, is the perfect exercise for pregnant women. As every pregnancy is different, it is important to get a go-ahead from your doctor before you begin any kind of exercise during this period. Once you do, look for a prenatal yoga class, which is basically specialized yoga for pregnant women. At a prenatal yoga class, the exercises are tailored for pregnant Moms, making sure you and your baby are well cared-for during this crucial period. Here are our top 8 reasons why you should practice prenatal yoga.

1. Helps build your stamina, strengthens & tones muscles that are important during childbirth

As you are aware, labour requires lots of stamina, endurance and flexibility, thus it’s important to be physically prepared for it. Yoga includes gentle yet powerful exercises that help you build your stamina and improve flexibility and physical endurance, thus preparing you for childbirth.
It also helps you to work on all the right muscles, including your abdominal, pelvic and hip muscles, which help strengthen and support your body while it undergoes all kinds of changes.

2. Improves your breathing; helps you stay calm and focused

Yoga teaches you conscious breathing techniques that not only help your body relax, but also calm your mind and keep you focused and centered. Breathing correctly can also help keep you relaxed and mitigate some of the pain during childbirth.

3. Helps reduce anxiety and stress

The best thing you can do for both your baby and yourself during pregnancy is to remain calm and relaxed. Of course, this is easier said than done. Muddled hormone levels and anxiety can leave you feeling quite nervous and/or restless. Yoga can help greatly with keeping your stress levels in check and clearing your mind of unnecessary thoughts, leaving you in a state of pregnancy bliss.

4. Helps you sleep better

Sleeplessness during pregnancy is a problem faced by many. Yoga can definitely help provide a solution to this. Practicing yoga regularly can help regulate your sleep rhythm and relieve tension on your body, helping you fall asleep easily and comfortably.

5. Regulates your digestive system and reduces nausea

A high number of pregnant women experience nausea, indigestion and heartburn. Yoga exercises help alleviate these symptoms by stimulating digestion, reducing bloating and relieving stress.

6. Relieves strain on muscles

During pregnancy, the changes in your body can put added pressure and strain on certain parts such as your lower back, neck, shoulders, chest and hips. A regular yoga practice can relieve the tension on these parts, helping you feel lighter and more supple.

7. Helps increase blood circulation, thereby reducing swellings

Yoga exercises help improve blood flow circulation, that can reduce inflammation, aches and pains, thus leaving you feeling more comfortable. It also helps strengthen your immunity.

8. Allows you to understand your body better and helps you connect with your baby

Yoga can truly help you become more aware of your body and the changes that it is going through. This heightened state of awareness also lets you connect and bond with the baby inside of you on a deeper level.

Yoga is a great postnatal exercise as well. However, it is important to consult your doctor before starting an exercise routine post-delivery. Do you/did you practice yoga during your pregnancy? Can you share some of the ways in which you benefited from practicing yoga regularly?