Yoga After Pregnancy | Post Natal Yoga

Exercise after Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a trying time for any mother. Your body swells to twice its normal size, you experience strange cravings and urges, you become susceptible to a number of strange infections, and of course, not to mention the pain that you have to bear. All of this still seems to be a small price to pay for the privilege of giving birth to your own child. However, now that your pregnancy is over, it is time to ditch those plus size dresses and concentrate on getting your life and body back to normal. This is where post partum yoga can be of tremendous help.

Why is Yoga the Best Post Pregnancy Workout?

If you’ve had an active lifestyle before your pregnancy, you may be raring to hit the gym with a vengeance. Don’t. Your body has been through a time of tremendous change and it is a good idea to take it slow when you begin to exercise after pregnancy. This is why yoga is such a good option for a post pregnancy workout.

Yoga is an ancient system of exercise and fitness that has been around for thousands of years. It is a slow and gentle form of exercise that relies on static and dynamic stretches and deep breathing to align and balance the body. Due to its gentle nature, it is the ideal choice for post pregnancy exercise.

Practicing yoga allows you to listen to your body and slowly increase your fitness levels at your own pace. The meditation and breathing techniques that are integral to yoga also allow you to deal with the emotional upheaval of pregnancy in a positive manner. There are also specialized post natal yoga classes where you can take your baby with you to further strengthen the bond between mother and child.

How soon can I start Yoga after Pregnancy?

It is recommended that you wait for at least six weeks before taking up yoga after pregnancy. If you have had a cesarean, you should wait a bit longer. It is best to consult your doctor and follow his (or her) advice in this regard.

If you experience any discomfort or pain while performing the post pregnancy yoga poses, take a break, or move on to another exercise. Remember, yoga is not a contest, unlike most other forms of exercise. Talk to your yoga instructor and he (or she) may be able to shed some light on what you are doing wrong, or suggest an alternative pose. If you experience any bleeding as a result of practicing yoga, you should stop at once and consult your doctor.