Best time to do prenatal yoga/pilates

[Dozeyland]

i would like to start asap at 23weeks, when do you benefit most?

still struggling to find classes in the daytime in oxfordshire

Hey Dozeyland, I'd say you benefit from yoga throughout your pregnancy. My first pregnancy I started at 17 weeks and went to my last class when I was 41 weeks! It really helped me, especially with practicing breathing techniques and just having a quiet spot during the week. I did classes run by the NCT, I think they're called Stretch and Breath (I don't think you have to be a member...)? I'm not sure where you are so couldn't do a search...but they were great as the teacher is also a qualified antenatal tutor.

This time round, I'm having twins and again started early, say 15 weeks and am still doing it now at 30 weeks. I'm massive this time round and having issues walking, but yoga has been brilliant. It's important to get a good teacher who understands antenatal issues - SPD, breech babies etc etc. Then you know you'll have a safe practice.

You actually shouldn't do antenatal yoga too early (before about 10 weeks) due to blood pressure and other issues, but I was doing it right up until the birth of my first child. As you progress further in your pregnancy you do it a little less or take it a bit easier and may have to modify a few positions, but as long as you have an antenatal qualified teacher you can take part in a normal yoga class. I went to one at my gym and had two DVDs (Yoga for Pregnancy and Pregnancy Health Yoga) for when I couldn't get there. Home DVDs are great as long as you have the time/space to do them and have done some yoga/pilates before so you know roughly what you're doing.