The Benefits of Yoga During Pregnancy

PregnancyYogaprenatalhealthy pregnancyprenatal healthprenatal fitnessprenatal yoga

Jun 3

Written By Guest

Pregnancy is a time when women can switch focus from the busy-ness of life to take more time to care for ourselves -- our bodies and our minds. Life will change significantly when the baby arrives and yoga can provide women with a solid foundation on which to nurture their bodies and minds, and create a pathway to a healthy pregnancy, delivery, and recovery.

Yoga provides many, many benefits, but central to pregnant women, its benefits include: increased muscle tone, improved flexibility, greater physical comfort, and enhanced mental and emotional stability – all helping to create an overall sense of wellness and peace.

Iyengar yoga

Iyengar yoga, focuses on correct alignment, correct action, and support for the body when it is needed. Iyengar teachers teach students how to do the poses so the student is not left confused about what they are supposed to do in each pose.

Iyengar yoga during pregnancy (and beyond)

During pregnancy, we emphasize three main things:

strengthening the body in a healthy way – to enhance ongoing physical stability at a time  when the body is rapidly changing, and to provide the strength needed for delivery and  recovery;  

creating space in the abdominal area – which helps the fetus to move and develop freely,  and creates less discomfort for the mother; and  softening the muscles – so women have an easier time delivering.  

This approach is designed to provide the physical and emotional support expecting mothers need to allow for a feeling of wellness, true relaxation, and a sense of radiant health.

We also work with new mothers to help them return to sufficient strength and stability to rejoin a weekly yoga class. New mothers can return to a modified practice with us 12 weeks after delivery.

Props to support

The founder of Iyengar yoga, B.K.S. Iyengar, developed the use of props to support and to challenge. Props (blankets, bolster, straps, blocks, etc.) are now commonly seen in yoga studios. Iyengar yoga teachers are particularly well-trained to know how to use props to assist and support a pregnant woman during all the stages of her pregnancy. While we do not always use props, when we do, we use them wisely. A supported practice particularly aids the physical and emotional well-being that women need in preparation for and during pregnancy, delivery, and after the baby’s birth.

Classes at The Yoga Space

If you don’t have an existing yoga practice, it is best to wait until the end of the first trimester before starting yoga classes. If you’re interested in classes with The Yoga Space, you can visit our website. Currently, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are offering virtual group classes or virtual one-on-one classes. You can find out about our virtual classes here or email us for private class (email below). We are hoping to return to limited classes sometime this summer, so keep checking our website for updates, feel free to call us (at the number below), or email us any questions you may have. You can also follow us on our social media accounts—Instagram or Facebook.

While for pregnant women we would place a few blankets or a bolster under the hips, here are photos of poses (with notes about the important actions) that are particularly good when expecting: