A Guide to Prenatal Yoga

Pregnant women are often told to keep fit during their pregnancies, although many doctors advice against too much strenuous exercise. A great way to keep fit without hurting yourself is by practicing prenatal yoga. Prenatal yoga is a perfect way for pregnant women to stay in shape while also helping them to learn deep breathing and techniques on how to relax. As anyone who has given birth knows, deep breathing and staying relaxed definitely comes in handy while in labor. Ujayi is the main breathing technique that is taught during prenatal yoga. You must breathe through your nose slowly to fill your lungs, and then completely exhale to compress your stomach. This helps to get you ready for labor by training you to keep calm when things get stressful.

Prenatal yoga techniques can be broken down into three categories, which contain tips for each trimester. During the first trimester you won’t have as many restrictions as you will once your pregnancy progresses. Yet it is important to start following safety guidelines early on in order to protect your baby's health. The first trimester is the time to find an instructor who is trained specifically for prenatal yoga. If you are unable to find one in your area, make sure to find an instructor who knows that you are expecting and can work with you to ensure you aren’t doing any strenuous moves.