Are you pregnant and thinking about taking prenatal yoga classes?
Pregnancy is an exciting time in a woman’s life as you begin to feel your body change preparing for the little blessing that’s on its way. As exciting as this time can be, it can also cause a lot of worry and uncertainty.
One of the most common concerns that pregnant women have is whether or not they should participate in exercises or yoga classes. In this post, we’ll cover what you need to know before you commit to enrolling in a yoga class before your due date.
So, What’s The Deal With Yoga During Pregnancy?
Prenatal yoga is one of the most effective forms of exercise, especially when done in classes guided by a trained professional. Yoga has been proven to help balance hormones, reduce stress and relieve back and neck pain during pregnancy. It is an excellent way for expecting mothers to get in shape, maintain well-being, and prepare for childbirth. In fact, prenatal yoga exercises also help promote healthy fetal development.
But it’s also important to remember that:
1. You should feel comfortable with the instructor and their teaching style
You’ll need to feel relaxed and free of judgment when you’re learning about different poses or exercises for your pregnant body. The poses should suit the stage of pregnancy and ensure the comfort of both you and your child.
The person leading your class should have prior experience with expectant mothers. They may not be a certified childbirth instructor, but they should know about the stages of labor, breathing techniques, exercise, and massage points, and how to help moms with labor pain.
2. You should not feel strained during yoga
Classes should be safe for pregnant women, particularly if they’re in their first trimester of pregnancy. Some poses may be too strenuous for certain women, so check with a doctor or midwife before enrolling in a class if you have any medical conditions that might affect your ability to try certain poses or exercises during pregnancy.
Also, remember that some poses are off the limits at all times! Most prenatal yoga classes will not involve deep twists, inversions such as handstands, or poses that require lying on your back, especially after the first trimester, as they can be potentially dangerous.
3. Consider taking a class with another pregnant woman
If possible, try to find a prenatal yoga class with at least one other mom-to-be in it. Having someone else going through the same thing as you can help ease any nervousness or anxiety you might have.
4. Wait until the second trimester
It’s best to wait until the second trimester of a pregnancy before beginning any sort of exercise program. This helps reduce the risk of losing your balance, which is a common problem during the first trimester when your center of gravity shifts as your baby grows.
5. You should not expect all classes to be the same
Some classes focus more on stretching, while others will focus more on cardio. So, ensure that you sign up for a class after finding out what it entails so you can pick what you feel will benefit you the most.
If you want to get enrolled in prenatal yoga classes and benefit from pelvic floor exercises, special pregnancy massage services, and breathing techniques, contact us at 5 Star Clinic Ltd. We are an experienced pain therapy clinic in Preston, Lancashire. Our team of professional massage therapists and exercise specialists cares for you and your child. We help relieve back and neck pain during pregnancy and offer other physio services for pain management near Preston.