Feeling overwhelmed during pregnancy? Here are 5 reasons why you should join prenatal yoga today!
Pregnancy is an amazing and transitional time in a woman’s life. The body of a mom-to-be is going through lots of hormonal, physical, and mental changes. And it will keep changing as the baby grows. These changes may cause sickness, tiredness, stress, anxiety, etc.…
Studies have proven that practicing prenatal yoga can help facilitate more comfort during labor, specifically manageable and shorter births, less medical interventions, and faster recoveries.
Here are 5 reasons why prenatal yoga is great for you:
CONNECTION BETWEEN MOVEMENTS AND BREATHE
INCREASES STAMINA
RELEASES ENDORPHINS AND CALMS THE NERVOUS SYSTEM
RELIEVES TENSION
NURTURING TIME
1. CONNECTION BETWEEN MOVEMENTS AND BREATHE
Typically, we hold our breath during a time of fear, anxiety, panic… This may appear during pregnancy or labor. Prenatal yoga can teach moms-to-be how to control their breath with movements. The focus and connection with their breath allows a woman to get into the rhythm of their bodies and work with it, instead of fighting against it. This can release fear and pain.
2. INCREASES STAMINA
Women who practice prenatal yoga tend to have more stamina. During the second trimester, the focus of the lesson is to build strength and stamina to be ready for labor. Yoga poses help to strengthen the hips, back, arms, and shoulders. It stabilizes muscles and joints, as well as promoting good posture, coordination, and alignment. Also, mothers-to-be who have joined prenatal yoga classes typically have a stronger pain tolerance.
3. RELEASES ENDORPHINS AND CALMS THE NERVOUS SYSTEM
Prenatal yoga releases endorphins. The same hormones are released during labor, making it easier to recognize for women who have been practicing prenatal yoga.
Through deep breathing, the nervous system goes into the parasympathetic mode that is responsible for relaxation. When our bodies are in that mode, digestion operates properly, mothers tend to sleep better, and the immune system operates at its optimal.
4. RELIEVES TENSION
Prenatal yoga helps to relieve tension of neck, shoulders, chest, upper back, lower back, and hips. As the baby grows, more stress is put on these specific muscle groups in the mother's body. Women develop more of a lower back curve due to the increased size of the belly. The hips also get tighter due to the added pressure of the baby’s weight. As breasts increase in size, the upper back and chest will have more tension, along with the neck and shoulders.
5. NURTURING TIME
Even though this might be one of the most beautiful and exceptional times in a woman's life, it is not always easy. Finding time for herself to relax and meditate is super important for the mother as well as the baby! Joining a yoga class might be the only time for a mom-to-be to stop and slow down from their busy schedules.
Prenatal yoga helps to unify the physical, emotional, and spiritual growth between the mother and developing child. It can help future mothers become more resilient during and after pregnancy. Joining a group of women who understand each other and what they are going through can help them enjoy every step of this new chapter of their lives.