Pregnancy yoga

[Emden27]

Hi everyone

What do you think about pregnancy yoga? I've never done yoga in my life but for some reason, just have an urge to do it now I'm pregnant! Does it help with any aches & pains? X

You shouldn't really start a new exercise once pregnant is the advice from midwives. You are ok to continue an existing exercise though. You could give it a go but take it really slow and ensure the instructor is aware you've never done yoga before. Pre pregnancy i started yoga and after 4 lessons hurt my knee and have never been back so thats why i say be careful starting something new when you're also pregnant and your body is changing anyway.

A proper pregnancy yoga class, just for pregnant women and with a properly trained instructor, should be fine. I did one from about 20 weeks last pregnancy and will do it again this time. It wasn't really what I would call "exercise" though, more stretching and breathing and relaxing! It was a nice way to meet other expectant mums and we then went to baby yoga classes together afterwards.

My midwife recommended a special pregnancy yoga class - maybe there is something specifically for mums to be in your area.

In terms of exercise it isn't very demanding because it's obviously tailored towards pregnant ladies who need to take things a bit easier, but I have learnt stretches that have helped with the aches and pains. I've also learnt lots about childbirth which I'm hoping will help during labour (she says, naively during her first pregnancy!).

Agree with fanaticalfox though in some respects though, so maybe stick to something designed for during pregnancy to protect yourself and your baby.

I started doing pregnancy yoga never having done yoga in my life and I love it. It's made me so so much more mentally prepared for labour, I've learned lots about positions and breathing and it's really very not taxing so I don't think it's the same as taking up other kinds of exercise in pregnancy that you've not done before. As long as it's actual pregnancy yoga as people above said

I loved my pregnancy yoga classes during my last pregnancy and am looking forward to doing them again this time around...go for it.

I started pregnancy yoga around 14 weeks, I look forward to it all week! I've had insomnia my whole pregnancy and it's often the one night I sleep well. I'd recommend it

I've only ever done yoga in pregnancy and recently started again in my 3rd pregnancy. I used all the breathing and positions to get me through my long and uncomplicated labour and really recommend it. None of the classes I went to were like tiring exercise and the teacher always advised to only do what you can do. So worth finding a specific pregnancy class.

Err ignore the first comment! I had never done yoga in my life before I got pregnant (but was a regular gym goer). Nausea, aches and pains etc quickly put paid to the gym but I took up pregnancy yoga around 16 weeks and continued through the pregnancy. It was great! Made me feel I was doing something for my body, was relaxing, and I met some other lovely local mums - if you can find a local class aimed specifically at pregnant women, go for it!

I agree, ignore the first comment, if you go to a proper pregnancy yoga class it is designed for pregnant women regardless of whether they have done yoga. I've never done yoga and. It is great for teaching you stretches to deal with common complaints in pregnancy such as cramp, back ache, hip ache etc. If I hadn't done it I wouldn't have been able to get rid of some of my aches and pains without resorting to paracetamol. They also offer some useful positions to use during labour and for strengthening pelvic floor muscles.