The Benefits of Prenatal Yoga

"This was my first time doing yoga, and I have truly enjoyed it. The yoga exercises make me feel so much better. The "circle time" has been helpful, and I've learned a lot from the other women's experiences. " ~ Kim Fishman

Prenatal yoga helps you during birth but even more so before and after birth. The breathing and body awareness help you stay connected to your changing body. The gentle stretches and poses develop strength and readiness for giving birth as well as improving your current physical health. And the relaxation is so needed in our harried and stressful world.

Although I haven't found "hard" research specifically about prenatal yoga, there is plenty of research about the affects of maternal anxiety and depression in the prenatal and post-partum period on the infant and growing child. Anything you can do to help reduce anxiety and/or depression will benefit your child years down the road. My hope is that prenatal yoga helps you do just that.

So many changes are taking place in your body during pregnancy. Prenatal yoga is a time to slow down and connect with the baby growing inside you. Yoga encourages you to be fully present and in the moment, a skill you will need as a parent as well .

Prenatal yoga also encourages you to tune into your body and really listen to what's going on, to accept the changes as positive growth. It helps to be surrounded by other women also going through pregnancy, to learn and to share with them.

"Lamaze schlamaze.... I managed my labor with Bonet's yoga breathing."  
~ Ellika Shilling

Why did Ellika say that? 

During the birth process, many women use their prenatal yoga breathing to help them stay focused as well as to release when needed. In our classes, we practice several different types of breathing - traditional yoga breath, a more open mouth breathing, and some of the HypnoBirthing visualization and breathing. You can use them at various stages of labor to manage and reduce pain.

After you have given birth, yoga remains a gentle exercise that is also beneficial for calming your mind. Practicing the poses you learned in prenatal yoga helps you gain back muscle tone and flexibility. Additionally, doing yoga post-partum keeps you in tune with your body as it once again goes through some radical changes. 

Even if you're planning a cesarean, prenatal yoga can help you connect with your baby, keep muscle tone, and manage pain during recovery from major abdominal surgery. I had two unplanned cesareans, but was very grateful for my prenatal yoga. It allowed me to access muscles and move in ways that minimized pain and quickened the healing process.

Read more Prenatal Yoga Quotes and see what women are saying about how our classes helped them before, during, and after birth.