Yoga is a practice, a lifestyle. The word Yoga means unite and this is exactly the goal of its practitioners: to find harmony, the union between body, mind and spirit. And during pregnancy, one of the most special moments in the life of any woman, the practice can make all the difference.
The Blog Sport & Health talked with a Vinyasa Yoga and Yoga for Pregnant Women Teacher, Sá Souza, who is now a reference when it comes to yoga and pregnancy.
“During pregnancy, a woman’s body is in a constant change, and Yoga has help in these continuous adjustments. We focus a lot on breathing, which plays a crucial role in labor, whatever kind it may be. Not to mention the connection between a mother and her child. It is a world of change and feelings, which no one else can enter,” Sá Souza explains.
10 reasons for a pregnant woman practicing yoga!
1 – It improves sleep.
2 – It reduces stress and anxiety.
3 – It decreases back pain, nausea, headaches, shortness of breath and carpal tunnel syndrome (which can lead to numbness, tingling, and numbness in the hands and fingers).
4 – It helps reduce body swelling.
5 – It relieves constipation.
6 – It increases the strength, flexibility and endurance of the muscles needed for
childbirth.
7 – It decreases the risk of premature birth, pregnancy-induced hypertension and restriction of intrauterine growth retardation (a condition that slows the growth of a baby).
8 – It allows pregnant women to meet each other during practice and exchange experiences of this new phase.
9 – It improves communication between mother and baby.
10 – It stimulates stretching, mental centralization and focus on breathing (believe me, the day of delivery you will certainly thank for learning these techniques).
To start practicing, the ideal thing is to wait until after the first three months and, with the doctor releasing, perform a frequency of twice a week.
Teacher Souza does not advise pregnant women to practice Yoga alone. It is important to be in the presence of an instructor with Yoga training for pregnant women.
Can it be done after the baby was born?
“Yoga Postpartum is amazing. Again, it connects you with all the changes that have been happening to your body. Usually, in postnatal classes, the first 20 minutes are for the babies, with positions for them, and only after that we focus on the mother. But pay attention: the time to resume physical activity is different from a natural birth to a C- section. You need to check with your doctor.”
What pregnant women should avoid during practice?
– Twist
– Lying belly down
– Strong contraction of the abdomen
– Holding the air
You should never forget this: respect the limits of your body, breathe properly, try the postures with awareness and always with guidance. Do not forget the medical monitoring.
We wish that Yoga may give you the balance, as well as the peace and quiet for that magical moment to be healthier and happier!
Any questions? Contact Teacher Sá Souza at www.sasouza.com
And be sure to attend online yoga classes, in real time, at Yoginapp.com, everyThursday at 3:30 PM.
Have a good lesson and a good pregnancy!
Kisses
