Can You Do Yoga During Pregnancy?
I think many expectant mothers who have never done yoga before falling pregnant wonder whether yoga is really safe during pregnancy. After all, when we think of yoga, we think of complex headstands, and contorted lotus positions. Regular yoga isn’t done during pregnancy, but modified positions are, and it is very safe - and great for both baby and Mom, as Neelima Reddy’s yoga article highlights.
It can really help open up the hips so that delivery is easier. And the gentle stretches also relieve some of the pain and tension that women can feel in their back, legs, and ankles during pregnancy. Most yoga helps strengthen the internal muscles, especially the pelvic floor muscles - which can be a real advantage during labor. It can certainly help you ’spring’ back into shape more quickly after the birth.
But you don’t have to wait until you fall pregnant to go to yoga classes. If you’re trying to conceive, yoga can help move things along. It’s even better if your partner goes to yoga too.