Yoga & SPD/PGP

[rainand]

Hi,

Have been looking for Pilates classes locally as I have SPD but there's nothing in my area. There are pregnancy yoga classes. Would I be ok going to the pregnancy yoga classes or should I avoid them?

preg yoga really aggravated my spd/pgp, but others on here have said it helped. So, I guess you could try one class and see how it feels after. Make sure you tell the teacher you have spd/pgp (and be wary if they don't know what you're talking about) and avoid anything that involves spreading legs too wide, or anything else that you find aggravates yours (for me it's weight-bearing on one leg, excessive twisting, etc).

CityDweller, thanks! I'll try out one class and see how it goes ...

Hi I had pgp too and also found that pregnancy yoga really aggravated it, even though the yoga teacher knew of my condition and tried to modify things for me. My physiotherapist said that pilates would have been much better. If you can't find a pregnancy pilates class, maybe you could buy a DVD and do it at home? I bought one called 10 minute solutions prenatal pilates off Amazon. I would say however, that the breathing techniques you learn in a yoga class is useful to get through labour...

Nothing to do with yoga, but have you been to see an osteopath? I had pelvic pain that was worsening, then disappeared completely with one session with an osteopath.

Panzee, thanks, yes I have been and I think it has done the trick. I just want to do some yoga/Pilates to keep fit!

Great news.

Yoga aggravated my SPD. I'd advise you to avoid it.

Hi.

You can try it and see how you go. I had PGP last pregnancy and learnt what aggravated mine and avoided it.

For me personally I could not do lunge type moves/ positions (as in the warrior poses). But was alright in triangle poses, forward bends and even squats (which aggravate some people).

Also really really bad was anything where I crossed one leg over the other ( like in pigeon pose) - ironically the Tara Lee pregnancy yoga told me to avoid wide leg poses (ie squats) and encouraged crossed leg poses (ie pigeon) which was absolutely the worst thing for me!

This is a good list of do's and don't from manufacturers of good support belt (I fortunately didn't need to get) www.serola.net/Serola-Theory/dr-serolas-dos-and-donts.html

Especially useful (for me at least) to learn was for putting on socks or doing up shoes - sit down and let knee of foot you're lifting fall out to the side instead of drawing it up in front of you. Same for putting on pants/trousers.

Me too twitchy

Yoga made me much worse, doctor said to avoid it bu I do know of others who have benefited. I had very flexible joints before pregnany so mine just went nuts. Have you been referred to a physio? If so they should be able to advise on good Pilates exercises you can do from home. I was also told that swimming was a good way to keep fit but to not put too much strain on joints etc.

My physiotherapist strongly advised me against yoga. I suffered from spd. I didnt do anything. She did however advise me to do pilates one to kne or in a small group. I just saw an osteopath. Wore an spd belt. And mine got so much better towards the end

IMO yoga can definitely help. However I would recommend finding a teacher who is properly trained in pre-natal yoga as is therefore aware of SPD. I was taught that you should avoid uneven poses (e.g. lunging / standing on one leg) but there are lots of other lovely poses that can help with aches and pains.

It depends which yoga poses. The cat pose can help and was recommended to me by my physio. My SPD returned when my youngest children were about six, and the only thing that really helps me now is Pilates.