The 5 Benefits of Pregnancy Yoga
1. Helps the mum’s body
A universal benefit of yoga whether it is in pregnancy or not is that it gently stretches and tones muscles. The beauty of the slow and focused yoga postures help to increases flexibility in the body while also generating great strength. This also helps calm the body’s nervous system and improves circulation. Practising yoga weekly, or ideally daily, in pregnancy can also help to reduce back pain experienced by many women in the later months of pregnancy, and is also really beneficial in aiding the treatment and of and ways to cope with Pelvic Girdle Pain – sadly a very common problem in pregnancy caused by the pelvic ligaments and muscles not being able to properly support the torso.There are also a wide variety of other pregnancy-related symptoms that can be eased and improved through regular yoga practice, such as sciatica, restless legs, fatigue, indigestion and heartburn, carpel tunnel syndrome, headaches, cramp and constipation and swollen ankles.The combination of yoga postures, deep breathing and relaxation in a pregnancy yoga class can help foster better quality sleep, and reduce insomnia – both things often experienced by women torward the end of their pregnancies.Perhaps the greatest benefit is to help bring balance to the body, allowing it to return to a more neutral, stress-free state.2. Helps the mum’s mind

3. Helps mum & baby bonding
Pregnant women, particularly in the first 4 months, can sometimes find it hard to register that they have a baby growing inside them. If their bump is quite small, or if they have not started feeling any movements, it can be difficult to feel a sense of connection with the unborn baby. Yoga starts this conversation with their baby through bringing awareness of their body, and allowing their focus to be directed in towards their baby.Babies also love many breathing exercises or relaxation and respond by moving around or kicking more, helping women to realise their baby is experiencing what they are experiencing.A weekly pregnancy yoga class also offers mums a safe place to send their focus inwards with no distractions, creating a special mum and baby bonding time – something that can be hard to do in your own home as part of your busy life.The reduction in anxiety mentioned above also has been shown to have a positive impact on the baby as well. As well as this if a mother has a good bond with her baby before birth, then the chances are it will be easier to bond after birth, reducing the possibility of postnatal depression.5. Helps mums prepare for parenthood
It goes beyond the classroom
So although I have mentioned “just” 5 benefits of pregnancy yoga, these benefits stretch well outside of the classroom and into the daily bodies and minds of the mums who come.You are never too stiff, or too inflexible, or too heavy, or too inexperienced to enjoy all of the benefits of pregnancy yoga can bring. So what is stopping you finding a class?Birthzang runs weekly pregnancy yoga classes in Reading. For more information click here.References
https://www.fitpregnancy.com/exercise/prenatal-workouts/10-benefits-prenatal-yogahttps://www.yogajournal.com/article/parenting-motherhood/labor-love/https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/09/prenatal-yoga_n_3038138.htmlhttps://www.bellybelly.com.au/pregnancy/pre-natal-yoga/https://www.digitaljournal.com/science/mother-s-can-pass-on-stress-to-infants/article/418018?hc_location=ufihttps://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD007559.pub2/abstracthttps://news.brown.edu/articles/2015/03/pregnanthttps://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD009514/abstract?hc_location=ufi
What’s the point in writing a birth plan?
There is lots of talk in pregnancy around writing a birth plan and it stirs up lots of debate. On the one hand, some people feel it is most important to just "go with the flow" and be as flexible as possible and therefore feel that creating a birth plan is...

Could birthing alone be a good thing?
The recent Coronavirus outbreak has had a huge impact on maternity services and expectant parents around the world. Routine pregnancy appointment and scans have been cancelled or limited to the mother attending alone meaning she is having to leave her birth partner at...
Best Clary Sage Oil brands for labour
Clary sage oil (or to use its Latin name Salvea Sclarea) is a popular choice for people hoping to kick-start labour, or enhance it once it has begun. I have written previously about how you can use clary sage oil safely in labour. Using this sweet-smelling essential...

Natural Ways to Induce Labour – your guide to myths and facts about childbirth induction without drugs
So many women feel fed-up at the end of their pregnancy. On the one hand, you feel as if you have been pregnant for 6 million years and frankly another day is too much! On the other hand, you feel really sure that you want to let things happen as naturally as...