Yoga for Pregnant Women

There is no denying the fact that pregnancy is one of those times which bring sheer ecstasy but at times this is accompanied by a huge load of problems also. However, one must not succumb to these problems and there is definitely a way to fight them holistically through yoga Asanas or postures. There are many yoga postures for pregnant women that can be of huge help and they work wonders on the expecting mother’s health as well as on myriad conditions associated with pregnancy.

Yoga postures for pregnant women have a lot of benefits because these postures can gently stretch all parts of the body to ensure that the practitioner is supple and active. These postures have a remarkable effect on the practitioner and ensure that she experiences a smooth pregnancy and natural childbirth. Practicing yoga after the pregnancy is over is essential too because it can help to restore the body’s equilibrium after childbirth.

Since one is carrying an extra weight around the belly area therefore it is only natural that one would experience stiffness and pain in the neck, shoulder and backbone region. Hence it is advisable to try out a couple of yoga postures for pregnant women that are directly targeted towards the neck, shoulder and spine.

In this regard there are two poses which are very effective for relaxing and improving the flexibility in these regions. What is interesting is that while one of the poses requires you to lie down, the other requires you to get on all fours. Thus, when you practice these two poses together, you will be allowing the two poses to work their magic on the targeted areas from all angles.

The cat pose or Bidalasana is a great pose which teaches the practitioner to start the movement from the center of the body and to co-ordinate his/her movement with his/her breathing pattern. This pose would loosen the back as well as spine region while stretching the front and back torso and freeing the shoulders and neck.

This pose calls for a tilt which elongates the back muscles and contracts the muscles in the abdominal region. The cat pose is particularly beneficial for one’s body because it stimulates the digestive tract and spinal fluid, which in turn improves the circulation of blood in the core region. An added advantage is that this pose is also a great stress buster.

Fish pose or Matsyasana is another pose which stretches the upper spine and the neck, thus relieving one of stiffness in the neck and shoulder area. It is advisable to hold this pose if you want to tone the nerves located in the back and neck region. By doing the shoulder stand, i.e. by holding this pose, you will be able to ensure that your parathyroid and thyroid glands get maximum benefits.

One of the comparatively unknown benefits of this pose is that it can increase the practitioner’s lung capacity, meaning you will be able to engage in deep breathing better by performing this pose. Also, this pose helps to expand the rib cage completely.