Yoga

Honor where your body is  today. 
Practice  compassion for yourself and baby.
Prenatal yoga is one of the best gifts you can give to  yourself, as well as your growing baby.

1. Develops endurance and strength
As baby grows within our body, more stamina and strength is needed to be able to carry the weight.  Yoga postures strengthen our hips, back, arms and legs.

2. Balance
Our equilibrium is challenged physically as the fetus grows within our body. Emotionally we can be drained due to the increases in progesterone and estrogen. As we  focus on engaging and breathing through each yoga pose, we are able to  tune our balance, physically and emotionally.

3. Releases tension of lower back, hips, chest, upper back, neck and shoulders
As baby grows, more stress is put upon these specific muscle groups in our bodies.  We tend to have more of a lower back curve due to the increased size of our bellies. Our hips get tighter due to the added pressure of baby’s weight in our bellies. As our breasts increase in size, our upper back and chest have more tension, along with our neck and shoulders.

4. Calms the nervous system
Through deeper breathing, the nervous system goes into parasympathetic mode, which is responsible for relaxation.  When our bodies are in that mode, our digestion operates properly, we tend to sleep better, and our immune system is at its best.

5. Labor Preparation 
You are working with conscious breathing during each yoga posture, which may  be challenging. This  can mirror the time of labor, allowing one to practice being “comfortable with the uncomfortable” through breathwork.  As you inhale, you recognize the tension that is felt.  As you exhale deeply , you release it more and more with each breath.

6.  Connection with baby
A  yoga practice allows us to slow down and focus attention on what is going on within our bodies. Through working with our breath and doing each posture, you become more aware of what is going on within.

7. Stimulates circulation
Circulation is increased  within our joints and our muscles lengthen during practice.  Upon this enhanced circulation of the blood within our bodies, swelling can be  decreased and our immunity is enhanced, creating a healthy environment for a thriving baby.

8. Breathwork 
This is a great tool for labor during contractions.  If we are breathing with awareness, our blood pressure and heart rate is regulated keeping us in parasympathetic/relaxation mode.  Calm mama = calm baby.

9. Nurturing time
This time allows us to pause and slow down from our busy days.  Through yoga, you are setting your  intention on caring for not only yourself, but of baby.