Pre Natal Yoga

[evgreen]

Andrea, I'm a bit shocked at your experience with the above mentioned yoga instructor. Can't believe she would try pushing you into doing something you weren't comfortable with!

I think there are really mixed views on what's appropriate and inappropriate during pregnancy. As long as you listen to your body, the risk of something going wrong is extremely low. Some people say yoga is ok during first trimester, while others don't. It's very important to know your body's limits. I practiced yoga before my pregnancy so I felt very comfortable with shoulder stands and light twisting positions in my 2nd trimester. I'm now in my 3rd trimester (29 weeks) and baby is growing perfectly fine and already head down.

If I ever got tired in a certain asana, I'd take a breather and come out of it. However, with my third trimester, I'll probably be doing less strenuous poses and focusing on asanas that widen and strengthen my pelvic floor instead.

 

[Gracey]

Andrea -- No shoulder stands! Please don't go back to this teacher -- she will hurt you.
And do listen to your body. I'm following a very simple prenatal yoga DVD, and I have done yoga before. Still, there is one move that just feels wrong to me, so I don't do it.
No good yoga teacher would push a student into a painful or uncomfortable pose, even if that person wasn't pregnant.

 

[pepe]

better quit it and go swimming. Swimming is quite a good way for pregnant woman to execise

 

[AndreaSB]

Definitely best to listen to my own body and baby. Have found some classes I'm happy with and look forward to class as I need the stretch! Have also tried swimming but it feels really awkward.

 

[RileyC]

I've been doing pre-natal yoga since my first trimester (after my morning sickness subsided) and I have found it a great way to relax and ease a lot of the stiffness in my hips and lower back. I definitely sleep a lot better after a yoga class. Provided that your instructor is well qualified and knows how to teach yoga for pregnant women, you'll find that yoga is a very good low-impact exercise. The instructors at PURE will also guide you through the all important pelvic floor exercises, which can help you during labour and prevent urinary incontinence. I also believe that the focus on breathing will eventually help me during delivery. I practised yoga very regularly before I got pregnant, so if you will be doing yoga for the very first time as a pregnant woman, just remember to take things slowly and listen to your body. If you're not sure about a certain pose, a pose feels uncomfortable in any way or you just don't understand what is going on, my best advice would be to skip that pose and perhaps ask the instructor for some guidance after the class.

As for yoga studio recommendations, I recommend PURE. They may not be the cheapest in town, but I strongly believe that you often get what you pay for.

 

[Tartan]

I am indeed that mum whose water broke in yoga class! I did yoga throughout my first pregnancy and really found it so beneficial for both my health and also during labour with all the breathing exercises etc (although i did have epidural). I am continuing to do it through my 2nd pregnancy although who knows if my waters will break again in yoga class! I am doing it at Pure Yoga in the Centrium which is good although the class size is big and so it's not that good if you are new to yoga and need lots of adjustments or even if you want a social class to make friends. I have friends who went to the Yoga Room in Sheung Wan and that was much more social and friendly