If you follow me on social media at all, you've probably seen me practically beg you to take up a simple yoga practice while pregnant.
Why do I think yoga is so beneficial for your pregnancy, labor, and birth experience?
1. You don't need to be attempting complex balance or twisting postures (unless that's already your practice, then more power to ya!). Simple stretches and postures can help open your hips and strengthen your legs and core for the physical process of birth. Remember, squatting is one of the most beneficial postures to call on during labor and birth as it adds space to your pelvis - more space means easier passage for baby!
2. Yoga requires a different utilization of your pelvic floor than most high energy or high impact exercises. Those high energy or impact work outs can lead to a pelvic floor that is especially good at tightening, but not so great at relaxing for baby to come through. Don't hear me saying you should quit those; if that's your jam, you just need to be cognizant of developing a well-balanced pelvic floor. Yoga and a pelvic floor PT can help!
3. The slow, steady pace of many yoga flows challenges you to hold poses for an extended time. This process can help train your mind with endurance for embracing the sensations of labor while still relaxing your body and mind.
4. Yoga, especially when guided by an instructor (even just finding one on YouTube!), promotes conscious breathing and harnessing your breathe for strength. I don't think I need to tell you how powerful your breathe can be in the labor process!
Those are the 4 primary benefits to taking up yoga during your prenatal journey. There are many other physical, emotional, and psychological pros to practicing yoga that can also benefit you during this season in your life.
Like having a doula present for your birth, this is one of those rare instances in which the benefits are GREAT and the risks are basically NIL. Want a smoother pregnancy and an easier birth? Yoga is a great place to start.
Stay tuned next week when we talk more about yoga stretches to benefit your pregnancy and labor!