Easy Breathing: Yoga Classes in Pregnancy

I first became aware of pregnancy yoga classes a few years back when I saw a picture of a very pregnant Julia Roberts heading to yoga class. It was both odd and interesting at the same time.

Yoga is said to be a great way to prepare for the impending birth of your child. I think it really has something to do with the yoga breathing exercises taught in classes. It’s somehow like attending Lamaze classes, isn’t it? Breathing is at the core of every yoga practice, and many women have said that these have made childbirth more pleasant.

Another benefit that pregnant women get from doing yoga has something to do with maintaining a proper posture to lessen the strain on the spine. More often than not, the weight of the baby pressing on various part of their body causes have caused many pregnant women to complain of back pain and strain. Surely yoga can help with that.

Doctors also strongly recommend that pregnant women continue to get exercise any way they can. Only in very rare and extreme cases would they recommend complete bed rest, but for the rest of you pregnant folk, being pregnant is no excuse to stay in bed all day eating some weird concoctions. Yoga is low impact, and most yoga studios have modified poses for their pregnant students.

Yoga is also a good way to keep the mother healthy and happy. When a mother is happy, the baby is able to grow in a calm and nurturing environment. When the baby comes out, it may be in a better disposition because it has been nurtured in a steadier environment. For many mothers, this is important. From the looks of it, yoga during pregnancy is a good idea indeed.