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Keywords: Prenatal Yoga (June 2003)

ORIGINAL QUESTION :

From: Hanna Spengler, AYTT Winter 2003, Ananda Assisi, Italy

I'm in the joy of being pregnant (6th week) and am getting confused about what Yoga Postures to do and what not. Someone told me, not to do inverted poses at all. During AYTT we learned not to do them after the first trimester. What could be the reason for not doing them at all from the first moment?

I am very happy, if you want to share your experiences, knowledge, suggestions, articles, etc with me.

Thank you!


ANSWERS:

From Gyandev:

Some people counsel against inversions in the first trimester because that is the period when the placenta is attaching to the uterine wall. They feel that inversions could possibly interfere with that process. Others disagree with that opinion.


From Blaz Bertoncelj, Slovenia:

My reply about yoga in pregnancy:

Dear Hanna,

traditional yoga teachers usually give answer on this issue: do not do inversions after your third month of pregnancy. Why not? It could be dangerous for developing baby, because human body was not developed to be upside down. To do yoga asanas with "normal circumstances" differ from doing it when the yogi is ill or pregnant. Ananda on AYTT gave very sound advice about this. Bliss of Ananda yoga beside emphasis on strong spiritual approach on classical hatha yoga is also because on AYTT you get the basic knowledge what is still safe to do with your body. I remember big discussion about this topic in Yoga International - I remember the story from one yoga teacher and her explanation that she done inversions even when she was 8 months in pregnancy and she did not have any problems. And beside that she thinks that had easy birth because of doing Sarvangasana. So you can get many explanations for "pro and contra" but for me is usually save and sound advice but basic principle or you can call it LAW is: listen to your body because every body has its own intelligence. Be careful but still open for massages from your body cells who are also part and outer expression of Divine. As meditation is ART OF LISTENING, so is practicing yoga asanas. One day is good to do inversions, but who say that the next day your body and mind will like it? After some deep practice and experience you develop the inner feeling what is right for your body (in your case also for your little baby) and what not.

My experience is this - probably from past life, when I was in woman body :)

Give more emphasis on yoga nidra (conscious relaxation) and pranayamas, especially with those you can develop more harmonious nervous system (like Nadi shodhanam pranayama - alternate nostril breathing) and do not do so much stimulated pranayamas (like kapalabhati pranayama). Of course after third month do not lay on your stomach, because your baby will be upset. Do exercises and preparations for asanas with whom you will open the hips (like butterfly or baddha konasana - which is passive butterfly - just stay is sitting position with knees down where it is appropriate and give the emphasis on exhalation so you can release the tensions there).

And what I think is good idea: begin as soon as possible to work with small muscles in your pelvic area (they are very deep in the pelvis, some of them form pelvic diaphragm) because they will help you in preparing your body for birth and also this kind of exercises are very good for every woman, because they work as prevention for incontinence (when you can not control your urination). Women's incontinence is very big TABOO theme all over the world. Do it 3 times per day, even when you sit or waiting for sth. tense and relax those deep muscles (many of them are sphincters - of anus and sexual organs).  Yogic exercise which is very similar is mula bandha (root lock).

If you want some info more you can get me on blazbertoncelj@yahoo.com

Namaste. Blaz, AYT, summer 2000
check or studion in Europe, Slovenia, on www.jogacenter-namaste.com


Keywords: Prenatal Yoga (October 2002)

ORIGINAL QUESTION:

From Rosa, England, AYTT spring 2002

I would like to thank Jodi Boone (please excuse me if I have the name wrong) for encouraging me to start a pre-natal yoga class. I have decide to do so. However, if anyone has any advice or tips to hand over, I would be grateful!

Blessings to everyone, Rosa


ANSWERS:

From Johanna Siskar, Capistrano Beach, CA, YTT 1999

I do agree with Susan and Mary when it comes to beginner Yoga students, they need a special class. On the other hand, when it comes to more advance Yoga students, I welcome them to my regular classes. My only request for these students is to come to a private yoga session where we can go over the modified versions of the postures (then again this are the few exceptions) .

Yoga during pregnancy gives you a special connection to your baby, nobody should miss out on that.

Namaste

Johanna Siskar