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Prenatal Yoga Blog 9

used-6-14-16-9-9-10-12-11-22-12-29-prenatal-yogaYoga During Pregnancy

Yoga benefits during pregnancy overlap somewhat with the general benefits of yoga, notably with respect to stress management, improved strength and flexibility, and mood enhancement.

Scientific research on the physical benefits of yoga during pregnancy suggest that yoga can help to ease labor and back pain, preeclampsia and minimize complications during pregnancy and labor (Mindful Yoga for Psychological and Physical Distress). Anecdotally, prenatal yoga may also be helpful for relieving tension in the shoulders and neck, tightness in the hips, as well as to build stamina and strength to support pregnant women in carrying the additional weight from the growing fetus.
Physiological benefits of prenatal yoga are evidenced in breathwork, which calms the mind and nervous system through the activation of the parasympathetic nervous system (PSNS), otherwise known as the relaxation response. The practice of deep belly breathing also helps expectant mamas to prepare for labor and childbirth. Through deep breathing and subsequent activation of the PSNS, digestion, sleep and the immune system are supported.

Bryan Kest

Home4Birth clients, pick up a free prenatal yoga pass at our office for Source Yoga’s Sunday 1:30 p.m. classes. After that first free class, Home4Birth will pay for 1/2 of the first three class bundle. You pay just $12.50 (reg drop in rate is $15). So, it’s like getting another two classes for free! Postnatal clients are encouraged to attend! Class taught by Lauren Windle, Certified Yoga Instructor, (317) 809-5993, barefootgirl@comcast.net.

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Prenatal Yoga Blog 8

Happy New Year, yoga mamas!

I wanted to share a few thoughts on savasana (pronounced “sha-vah-sana,” and meaning “corpse pose” in ancient Sanskrit.)

It’s the last pose we do in our prenatal yoga practice, and arguably, the most important one. So how is that possible, since it is simply lying still and breathing deeply?

I didn’t get this at all when I first started practicing yoga. In fact, I actually walked out of class before savasana started.

Twice.

I mean, why lie down for 5-10 minutes? I skipped it the first time I did prenatal yoga. I’ll rest at home, is what I told myself.

So next time, my instructor specifically asked me to try to stay for savasana. Her words: “It can be really hard to lie still with your thoughts. But you might be surprised about how much you’ll gain from it.”

I love a challenge, so I stayed, albeit somewhat reluctantly. And found that she was right. Sometimes savasana IS the hardest part of class. And it’s ALWAYS the most important part. Here’s why:

Savasana helps you absorb and “set” the physical benefits of every pose you just moved through. Physically, your body has a chance to reflect on all the beneficial postures it has just moved through before moving on to movement that’s a little more mindless, like walking or typing.

Mentally, those five minutes help you absorb both the energizing and relaxing benefits of your practice.

On top of sealing the benefits of your practice, savasana also ranks high on the list of great things you can do for your overall health and well-being. According to research, savasana has a stress-relieving effect on the body and brain. It may also help treat mild depression and insomnia, raise energy levels, get rid of headaches, and even lower blood pressure.

That means it’s good for you and your baby. You know what else?

Savasana is a fantastic way to kick-start the yogic idea of “letting stuff go,” or “let it be.” Just letting your thoughts ebb and flow without judging, shorting or scolding is great therapy.

So consider savasana a mini meditation for your overworked body; very calming and soothing; cathartic after the mental chaos of the day. Stick with it. Chances are good it will become the highlight of your class.

Namaste~

Lauren

Home4Birth clients, pick up a free prenatal yoga pass at our office for Source Yoga’s Saturday noon classes. After that first free class, Home4Birth will pay for 1/2 of the first three class bundle. You pay just $12.50 (reg drop in rate is $15). So, it’s like getting another two classes for free! Postnatal clients are encouraged to attend! Class taught by Lauren Windle, Certified Yoga Instructor, (317) 809-5993, barefootgirl@comcast.net.

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Prenatal Yoga Blog 7

Advantages of Prenatal Yoga for Beginners and Pregnant Yoginis

Benefits-Prenatal-Yoga

Pregnancy is a significant transition for women on many different levels. It is a time of major hormonal fluctuation that can be associated with shifts in mood, appetite, and sleep just to name a few. In addition, expectant mamas can experience uncertainty towards pregnancy and what life will look like post-childbirth.

While being healthy both mentally and physically is important to many individuals, pregnant women in particular may feel increased pressure to lead an uber clean and healthy lifestyle (if not already) given the potential for unhealthy habits to negatively impact the growing fetus. And, every pregnant woman has a unique experience that ranges from completely blissful with little to no complications, to stressful and difficult with significant pregnancy-related symptoms and complications. For these reasons, it is important for pregnant yoginis to have access to information on ways to nurture herself, and to cultivate self-love and compassion. Armed with this valuable information, women can then make informed decisions about how to best support mind and body during this pivotal time. – Information and photo by Bryan Kest

Home4Birth clients, pick up a free prenatal yoga pass at our office for Source Yoga’s Thursday night classes, held from 7 to 8 p.m. After that first free class, purchase the next three class bundle for just $12.50 (reg drop in rate is $15). So, it’s like getting another two classes for free! Postnatal clients are encouraged to attend! Class taught by Lauren Windle, Certified Yoga Instructor, (317) 809-5993, barefootgirl@comcast.net.

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Prenatal Yoga Blog 6

yoga-photo-used-10-6-16-11-17-12-23

Joseph Campbell said, “People say that what we’re all

seeking is a meaning for life. I don’t think that’s what we’re

really seeking. What we’re seeking is an experience of being

alive.”

That quote set me so free! Suddenly, the trappings of what

we should or shouldn’t do fell away, and now there was

permission to just be happy and free.

All of us seek freedom and independence from external

forces. That kind of freedom comes from experiencing

oneself as whole and complete.

Yoga practice brings us to the realization that everything we

need is already within us.

— Alanna Kaivalya

Embracing the changes of pregnancy through prenatal yoga

In yoga as in life, change is an ongoing process. This is especially true when you are pregnant when it seems your body is changing at warp speed.

Gradually, through yoga practice, we can change your body in a healthy way. Perhaps gaining looser hips and spine, longer hamstrings, and better balance.

What you may not consider is that yoga can change your outlook, too. And this is also exceptionally important when you are pregnant, emotions are running high and stressing about things can really affect your body AND your baby.

Yoga unites the mind, body and spirit, and — it can unite our mind with the deeper parts of ourselves.

At the beginning of yoga classes, we often set an intention for practice. The intention can be awareness of the breath,

an intention to be open, or something more personal.

Setting an intention before practice galvanizes our inner resources and aligns them with the energy of change.

Consider setting an intention to be more open – to all things – perhaps all beings, places or opportunities you normally wouldn’t be open to. Set an intention to release stress, let

go of what you cannot control, and in general, be more positive, less reactive, and more forgiving of yourself. That last one is huge.

Think about guiding your intentions toward that intentional, positive change and weave that throughout your yoga practice. Then take it off the mat & into the world!

Home4Birth clients, pick up a free prenatal yoga pass at our office for Source Yoga’s Thursday night classes, held from 7 to 8 p.m. After that first free class, purchase the next three class bundle for just $12.50 (reg drop in rate is $15). So, it’s like getting another two classes for free! Postnatal clients are encouraged to attend! Class taught by Lauren Windle, Certified Yoga Instructor, (317) 809-5993, barefootgirl@comcast.net.