Ashtanga Yoga Practice by Pregnant Women

Ashtanga Yoga has to be practiced under the keen supervision a qualified Ashtanga Yoga teacher. It is more important if a pregnant woman is practicing Ashtanga Yoga. It is a myth that yoga is harmful during pregnancy. Of course over exertion is not recommended, but Yoga always debars excessive exercise even for normal healthy people.

An Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga practice during pregnancy helps the mother keep healthy and also inhibits the healthy growth of the child inside her. The practices are modified to protect the fetus and strengthen the muscles of the abdomen. The practice should be stopped if fetus moves excessively, in case of bleeding or if you are experiencing cramps. If you are new to Ashtanga Yoga you should first enroll in prenatal Yoga classes to understand how yoga is practiced during pregnancy.

The practice should be started only after 4th month to get good results as by the 4th month fetus stabilizes. Drinking small amounts of water is recommended in these yoga sessions to avoid dehydration which can cause uterus contractions. The Vinyasa practices have to be modified too. Jumping or rolling routines have to be skipped till birth of the child.

Practicing regular modified Ashtanga Yoga routines improves stamina which helps in labor and delivery. The breathing routines help in pain management during delivery. The senses are also fully aware of the contraction when the delivery happens.

Post birth you should wait for 3 months for the body to recover from delivery before starting Yoga. Deepen the forward bending poses in order to get rid of excess belly fat that accumulates during and after delivery.