| From the time I learned that I was pregnant, I knew | | | | more so during exercise. |
| that I wanted to keep up with yoga for as long as I | | | | • Tell your instructor as soon as you learn about |
| could. Yoga is something that I truly enjoy doing | | | | your pregnancy, and he or she will help to ensure you |
| because it offers me the chance to meditate and stay | | | | find the safest poses throughout your pregnancy. |
| fit at the same time, and I wanted to extend these | | | | • During your second and third trimesters, you |
| benefits into my pregnancy. While I knew both my | | | | should not attempt any poses that cause you lie flat |
| growing baby and I would benefit from yoga | | | | on your back. This positioning will decrease blood flow |
| throughout my pregnancy, I also knew that some yoga | | | | to your uterus. |
| positions were not safe during pregnancy. So I did | | | | • Balance will become more of a challenge as your |
| some research online to get more yoga information | | | | pregnancy progresses and your growing belly |
| and found some great information. | | | | expands. Avoid poses that may cause you to lose |
| It is not surprising to learn that some of the most | | | | balance and fall, and always use a chair for support |
| advanced yoga poses may be dangerous for both an | | | | when you feel unsure about a position. |
| expectant mom and her baby, but even some basic | | | | Some of the most common yoga positions that are |
| poses can also pose a risk. There are certainly some | | | | safe for most pregnancies are the cat-cow, the cobra, |
| excellent benefits that yoga provides to you and the | | | | the butterfly stretch, the side-angle pose and more. |
| baby during pregnancy, but exercises can also cause | | | | You can also talk to your instructor about modifying |
| stress, strain and pressure on your growing abdomen | | | | other poses to make them safe for you and the baby. |
| as well. Are you curious which yoga positions are safe | | | | If you have any doubts about a certain pose, be sure |
| during pregnancy? Here is some guidance to help you | | | | to discuss the pose in question with your instructor. |
| make yoga safe and enjoyable during your nine-month | | | | Only perform poses that you know for certain are |
| journey: | | | | safe for you and the baby. |
| • During pregnancy, certain hormones in your body | | | | Yoga can certainly provide you and your baby with |
| make you more prone to exercise injury, so an | | | | many wonderful benefits over the course of your |
| expectant mom should always enjoy exercise in | | | | pregnancy. Be sure to follow the advice of your |
| moderation and avoid overexerting herself. | | | | doctor and instructor to ensure your safety, and avoid |
| • Ensure that the room you are exercising in is cool | | | | any poses you are unsure about. Take some time to |
| with good air circulation. Pregnancy makes you prone | | | | learn more about safe yoga positions for pregnancy |
| to become light-headed and overheated, and this is | | | | through your own research as well. |