Why Yoga? « Back to Group Discussions

[Just1More]

I was reading the fitness thread, and didn't want to totally derail it.

Why is yoga so great?  What will it do for me?  Why should I do it? 

[forestmushroom]

Well, I think with all the changes going on with my body through pregnancy, yoga is a good way to keep the blood circulating, stretch muscles and tendons, and relax!  Your muscles do such radically different things, and you body and easily become pulled in different ways... so yoga kind of resets and balances by body.  Also, the stretching and improve certain muscle groups and prepare you for labor.

Certain muscles can ache and stretching makes the pain go away.  And the relaxation is really beneficial.

I guess my best advice is to get a prenatal yoga video from the rental place.  Or check it out on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xukpu9Ls3As and just try it and see how you feel.  I think going to the classes can be very beneficial because you can connect with other people having the same experience of pregnancy as you.... but a video at home can be great, too!

Edited by forestmushroom - 9/19/11 at 7:56pm

[lindsayjean]

so much to say on this!! <3  

Yoga helps mind and body!!  It helps us to mentally own our birth, feel our power, be able to breathe and be calm during challenging poses (GOOD practice for birth!) and the poses and movements help baby to find a good position for birth.  My pregnancy/birth without it and my pregnancy birth/with it... night and day!!  Truly AMAZING what yoga can do for your pregnancy and birth.  A woman told me after leaving one of my classes that week that it was the BEST hour of her pregnancy so far- she just felt so peaceful and calm, better than she'd felt in a long time  <3 <3

[BubbleMa]

I want to start doing yoga, but I don't think we can take on the expense of a class right now (maybe down the road).  Can you ladies recommend a good DVD?

[lightheartedmom]

Why yoga? I think every mom has a differen answer to that question...I like yoga especially during pregnancy because it is gentle and meditative and practicing it gives me times to just be still and empty my mind...to enjoy connecting with the baby growing inside me; to meditate on the work my body has to do in the coming months, to embrace that work and prepare myself physically, spiritually and mentally. The focus on breathing is fantastic for labor - it's good to start early practicing being mindful of your breathing. And the gnetle stretching is great for labor too. The DVD I use - from Gaiam yoga (<$20 on amazon) - has three or four different sections that can be done separately or altogether. It's rejuvenating and relaxing - all pregnant ladies need that, right?

Ive taken yoga classes before and love the class environment, but yoga classes can be monstrously expensive ($20/class in some places around here!!!) and hello, there's a recession on. A DVD and some closely guarded quiet time works quite well. Turn Down the lights and warn your family it's mommy meditation time.

I didn't do it consistently enough during my pregnancy with DD2 but even what I did do made an immense difference to me in labor when it came to my sense of faith in the process, my control over my breathing and emotions...big difference.

If you're on the fence, at least give it a try! Look in your local library for DVDs or try YouTube (that's where I found out about the Gaiam DVD) if you aren't ready to buy yet.

[forestmushroom]

I love the Gaiam DVD, too!  Check netflix, too they have a ton of different videos.  I have taken a ton of classes and prefer the video at home at this point. I like the privacy, and being able to start and stop throughout the day.

[lindsayjean]

I highly recommend the Blooma prenatal DVD. Sarah Longacre is an amazing doula, yoga instructor, and person! I couldn't find any good DVDs with my first... So glad this is out now!

[Just1More]

Interesting.  :)  Thanks for the replies.  I am considering checking it out.

If I were to do an at home dvd, what's the time committment?

[hollyann]

When do you ladies plan to start prenatal yoga? Is it silly to start so early?

I want to exercise, but I haven't done yoga in months, so I thought this could be a good option.  However, I also want to be careful and not do anything that could contribute to an early miscarriage

[poppyseed2012]

Originally Posted by hollyann 

When do you ladies plan to start prenatal yoga? Is it silly to start so early?

I want to exercise, but I haven't done yoga in months, so I thought this could be a good option.  However, I also want to be careful and not do anything that could contribute to an early miscarriage

It's never too early to start yoga! My mom is a yoga instructor and the minute she found out I was pregnant, she started planning a prenatal series for me. I've been doing regular yoga on and off for years. The great thing about yoga is that you can tailor it to suit you. So you can make it as gentle as you want, even though it's pretty low impact to start with. Have fun!

[Kamiro]

Amira's Belly Dance & Yoga For Pregnancy Prenatal Exercise

I bought this video on amazon. It had good reviews and was inexpensive and had over 3 hours of instruction on it. I did bellydance for years before having children and really can't say enough about it for fertility/birth work. It has yoga too which is good, because I would like to give that a try.

Anyways, I'll review it once I get it - but so far it looks promising.