Pregnancy is known as “good news” for a good reason; it’s the sweet surprise anticipated by most couples and those around them. However, those who have travelled the road to procreation know it is not all play. Bringing a new life into the world is quite an exhilarating and transforming experience. From conception to childbirth, the journey is an adventure in itself. Yoga for pregnant women can play a vital role in this journey, providing physical and emotional support. While physical changes and discomforts might be evident to those around, that is not all. The road to motherhood can be emotionally challenging and exhausting. Keeping oneself well informed on how and what of this life-changing experience is a good practice, but it doesn’t prepare you enough. One needs strength that surpasses the physique because it is not only the body but the entire being at work. What better than yoga, the time-tested ancient science for a strong body and a calm mind? Yoga during pregnancy can foster wellness with improved energy levels, better sleep, and reduced stress and anxiety. Improved blood circulation and oxygen also help with the baby’s growth. Sri Sri Yoga’s pre and post-natal care routine includes pranayama, meditation, and specific pregnancy yoga poses, leading to strengthening, flexibility, and a calm-inducing effect on the body and mind. These benefits can help prepare oneself for the overwhelming days to come.
Preconception
The modern lifestyle offers the convenience of everything at our fingertips with a click. This sedentary routine, however, triggers lifestyle disorders and heightened levels of stress. Prolonged exposure to stress can affect the body, including vital functions like reproductivity. A healthy yoga routine, like those offered in pregnancy yoga classes, helps to cleanse the body and detox the mind. The Sri Sri Yoga Program for pre and post-natal care detoxes the body with Shatkriyas, which are deeply cleansing for the body and mind as they help flush out toxins and impurities. A balanced yoga routine invites the body and mind to harmony, aiding optimal functioning and relaxing the mind.
Pregnancy
Pregnancy can mark the beginning of a new phase in a woman’s life, and like all changes, it has its pros and cons. Morning sickness, fatigue, interrupted sleep, and aches are some of the discomforts experienced during pregnancy. These might be due to hormonal changes, increased weight, and shifts in the centre of gravity. Prenatal yoga involves gentle stretching that helps tone muscles, improve blood circulation, and increase oxygenation. This not only helps mothers-to-be deal with fatigue, swelling, and stiffness but is also beneficial for the baby. More blood and oxygen reach the placenta, aiding the baby’s growth and development. Pregnancy yoga poses also support a mother’s health throughout the 40-week journey. Yoga during pregnancy can positively impact the development of the baby, with research suggesting that exercise during pregnancy can increase neurons in the baby’s hippocampus—the learning and memory hub of the brain—by 40%. The program at Sri Sri Yoga offers pregnancy yoga classes that encompass a detailed approach and methods to address each aspect of pregnancy, ensuring a balanced and holistic experience. Yoga is a powerful tool that facilitates the conscious development of the foetus, as well as the health of the mother.
Labor
Yoga can be your superpower to deliver with strength and grace. A prenatal yoga routine involves poses designed to develop flexibility, strength, and stamina, preparing the body for labour. Some pregnancy yoga asanas can even help the baby get into the best position, encouraging a straightforward birth. Conscious breathing through yoga and pranayama can help cope with contractions and relieve pain during labour. Beginning early with a prenatal yoga practice can make a significant difference during childbirth.
Post-Partum
After childbirth, the body goes through a remarkable transformation. Yoga for pregnant women, particularly prenatal yoga, can be a fantastic tool to foster well-being and recover strength, flexibility, balance, and posture after delivery. Studies show that pregnancy yoga can help reduce antenatal anxiety and depression. It assists in healing from postpartum complications and instils the confidence required to embrace motherhood.
Pregnancy is a journey that starts well before conception and extends several months post-natal. What begins with a miraculous possibility of fertilisation in a womb transforms into an adventure of growth and discovery. Yoga can be the guiding light through this journey, providing strength, clarity, and peace.
The Sri Sri Yoga pre and post-natal care program serves as your compass, offering a comprehensive and holistic approach to support you throughout. Learn about the Sri Sri School of Yoga signature 100H Pre and Post-Natal Yoga Teacher Training to delve deeper into the world of yoga for pregnant women and prepare for your journey with ancient wisdom and modern insights. The Sri Sri Yoga pre and post-natal care routine includes pranayama, meditation, and pregnancy yoga classes, designed to support women through all stages of pregnancy. This comprehensive approach helps women deal with the mental and physical challenges of pregnancy while promoting emotional balance. Yoga helps you balance your ‘old’ and ‘new’ life.
One unique aspect of the Sri Sri Yoga approach is the inclusion of Shatkriyas, traditional yogic practices that help detox the body and cleanse the mind. This yoga for immune system health provides a solid foundation for overall well-being, which is essential during pregnancy.
