Yoga sense

Yoga has its roots in ancient Indian culture, from purists who used it as a holistic approach to simply “being”. Practised correctly yoga is seen as a force that aligns and makes whole a person’s mind and body. History books date yoga back at least 5 000 years and the name translates as “to join or unite” mind, body and soul.

What yoga entails

The practice consists of different poses called asanas that are to be held steady in time with your breathing. Breathing in itself is key to yoga. The different techniques are called pranayamas while each asana has its own benefits and targets different areas.

Practicing yoga while pregnant

Pregnancy yoga practitioner Theoni Papoutis says that yoga, unlike other activity can be practised right up until birth.

“It’s also true that yoga is a great inducer of natural birth, regular yoga postures specific for pregnancy help to relieve body fatigue, release tension, increase flexibility and promote strength, by the gentle stretching of muscles, extending of limbs, rotation of joints and mobilising the spine. These practices also significantly benefit the internal function of the body’s organs thereby aiding circulation, digestion, respiration, heart function, as well as regulating the nervous system.”

The benefits of yoga during pregnancy

And when you’re pregnant and not much in the mood for moving, yoga might just be the thing to get you ready for labour and birth.

Daily practise is important, the more you exercise, the more centred you will be, as yoga helps the mother’s body become comfortably balanced and prepared for an active birth. As pregnancy progresses and the weight of the baby places pressure on the spine, yoga will support these changes by helping to improve a woman’s posture.

Also the practice of yoga can encourage the baby into an optimal birthing position. There are many anecdotes of babies turning into optimum position with the help of some yoga postures and in the same way, birthing mothers frequently use certain yoga postures during labour.

Taking a prenatal yoga class is also a great way to meet other moms-to-be and embark on this journey together.

Go to page 2 to see some yoga positions to try at home, such as spinal flexes, modified child pose and support squats