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Yoga For Pregnancy
Yoga is a form of exercise that originated in India eras ago, but has gained popularity in the nation only in recent times, after it has been popularized in the western world. This is a sad but true fact, that anything to be accepted in India needs to be popular in the west. But all the same, thankfully an increasing number of people are adopting prenatal yoga a healthy way of taking care of oneself through the pregnancy tenure, thereby ensuring the healthy growth and development of the fetus. There are trained experts, who conduct pre-natal classes in India. These teachers are essentially trained in the various asanas, or postures to help one through the pregnancy, as well as to go through a rather less strenuous labor during childbirth. Apart from the postures one is taught various breathing techniques to relax the mind under all circumstances. This is important because pregnancy can be rather stressful for the mind and body. Because of the irregular hormonal patterns, women complain of mood swings and to add to that is the regular day-to-day stress and tension. This can do a lot of harm not only to the mother, but also the fetus.
This is why yoga and meditation is encouraged, along with some minimum cardio vascular exercise in the form of walking. While it is advised for one to attend classes, yet if it is inconvenient for one to travel to the class, there is the option of the prenatal yoga dvd. Such dvds are produced by a yoga expert, who demonstrates all the postures and breathing techniques to be followed. Usually the dvds are divided into three sections first trimester, second trimester, third trimester. Apart from the well shot demonstrations and explanations, the experts also speak about the dos and don’ts during pregnancy. This is no doubt a better option than not practicing yoga at all, but yet one should make an attempt to attend a class at least once or twice a week no matter how inconvenient it can be to ensure that they are not making any mistakes while breathing or doing the postures. As mistake here and there can affect the development of the fetus. The dvds make up for the need of daily at-home practice.
The happiest moment in a woman's life comes when she gives birth to a child. It is said that a woman becomes complete when she attains motherhood. But to attain motherhood, she has to go though pregnancy which is perhaps the most difficult journey in a woman's life. Pregnancy is a very delicate phase for the expectant mother as this is the time she goes through a lot of emotional ups and downs. The mind of a pregnant woman is clouded with apprehensions and fear, the moment their pregnancy is confirmed. It is a well- known fact that the growing baby in the womb is capable of feeling the effects of tension and stress in the mother. Therefore, it is of vital importance for the expectant mother to feel relaxed at all times.It is during such times that yoga proves to be a blessing in disguise. Yoga assists in promoting a tranquil state of mind, which is very important for the health of the mother and the baby. Yoga exercises are very useful to the pregnant woman as they prepare her physically, mentally and emotionally for giving birth and becoming a mother. Besides, they alleviate some of the associated discomforts of pregnancy.The prenatal yoga poses helps the expectant mother to get rid of the common backache problem which they tend to suffer throughout the period. Yoga exercises relieve edema (fluid retention) and cramping which can be quite common in the last months. Most importantly, yoga influences the position of the baby and turns it in advance if needed. Yoga exercises restore the uterus, abdomen and the pelvic floor, and relieve upper back tension and breast discomfort. They also strengthen the abdomen, which helps to stimulate bowel action and appetite.
A mother's experience :-
Heather Elliot had already tried a few yoga classes before she decided to start a family. But when she became pregnant with her first child, nearly 18 months ago, she decided to take up yoga regularly.'I had done yoga before, but a long time ago. So it felt like it was my first time - and I really enjoyed it!' she said.Heather says she had no problems starting yoga when pregnant. She started yoga classes when she was 13 weeks pregnant and, at first, she felt things were a bit slow: 'I was expecting more movement in the beginning, but there were lots of respiration exercises,' she said.For her, the best thing about practising yoga while pregnant was that it made her feel mentally prepared for the birth. She also stresses the strengthening of pelvic muscles as a benefit.
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