Yoga during pregnancy: How is it beneficial?

Your gynaecologist will mostly ask you to practise yoga all through your pregnancy and also, a little after you have delivered your baby. It is because yoga can do wonders for you and your baby that is growing in your womb. So, expectant mothers, we suggest you bring on your yoga mat now.

For a woman who is pregnant, exercising could be very tiresome. There will be days when she wouldn't be able to get up at all, owing to the fatigue, or there may be other days when she is extremely energetic. That is why this phase is known as the most difficult one in a woman's life.

Her body undergoes huge number of changes- both on the outside as well as inside. These changes create different challenges for her- physically and emotionally too. Therefore, most doctors recommend that pregnant women must practise yoga in their pregnancy.

"Practising yoga during pregnancy is an intricate physical, psychological, emotional and intellectual homework done by a woman to answer the challenges faced by her. These challenges are revealed by the state of happiness and stress while yoga is a dexterity to calm down the mind," said Dr Meghana Jetty Reddy, Consultant, OBG, Columbia Asia Hospital, Whitefield. "Prenatal yoga helps you in slowing down to connect with your baby and the transformation you are experiencing. One can always enjoy the many benefits of yoga even if you or a beginner in yoga or an experienced practitioner," she added.

Benefits of yoga:

1. Agility: Practising yoga regularly improves blood circulation thereby keeping one s body agile and fit.
2. Reduces stress in different parts of the body: The right asanas can relieve the strain and tautness around the cervix by relaxing and loosening the pelvic region. It also aids in reducing morning sickness, cramps, and constipation.
3. Helps you to calm down: Yoga and pranayamas can drill an individual to breathe deeply and unwind and calm down consciously. These can immensely help the expecting mother during her labour throes.
4. Facilitates post-partum recuperation: Yoga asanas also facilitate faster post-partum recuperation. Yoga asanas like Marjariasana(cat stretch pose), Konasana (standing, sideways bending, both arms), Veerbhadrasasna(warriorpose), Trikonasana(trianglepose), Badhakonasana (butterfly pose), Viparita karani(legs up the wall pose),Shavasana(corpse pose), Yogic Nidra(yogic sleep) are extremely beneficial for to-be-mommies. Hot yogas, though, should be avoided after the first trimester.
5. Prepares you for labour: When you practise yoga, you are working towards improving your breathing pattern consciously. This can help you while in labor as it allows you to be comfortable in your breathing framework. As you inhale, you might understand the tension felt within your body and as you exhale, you will let go of the stress with each breath.