Benefits of Yoga and Meditation For Expecting Mothers

By- Elizabeth Howard

Pregnancy yogaShould a mom adopt a yoga practice, her body will benefit in myriad ways. It's more than just a boost to their morning routine, and the benefits are palpable from the moment you start. That's why moms should pick up a regular yoga practice if they're expecting another baby.

  • Lowered Stress Levels and Boosted Resilience -
    No matter what, having a baby puts a lot on you, and it can feel overwhelming at times. Yet, a regular yoga practice relieves much of the stress experienced during pregnancy. As a result of this relief, your emotional resilience may improve, making you stronger.
    Yoga and meditation both impact cortisol production, a type of stress response. So, you'll feel more resilient if you've practiced them often, and things won't bother you as much, either.

  • Improved Mobility and Range of Motion -
    Pregnancy tends to limit mobility and restrict your range of motion. But, you can prevent it from doing that to you by practicing yoga. Since you must stretch intensely during each session, it'll preserve your mobility. That way, you aren't stuck with a restricted range of motion after delivery.
    It doesn't need to be a difficult activity if you've never done yoga before. Simply performing a few stretches in the morning may be enough to make a difference. So, don't feel stressed if there's not enough time in the day for a serious session.
  • Enhanced Nutrition and Wellness -
    A ton of online yoga classes also feature health and wellness modules. Ayurvedic medicine and nutrition are prominent parts of modern yogic practice. Since this tends to improve on western diets, you'll notice an improvement right away.
    For example, ashwagandha has been shown to reduce cortisol production as well. It has made a mark on Indian history, thanks to its strong effects, too. Today's yogis are emphasizing its health benefits by recommending it to their students.
  • Fewer Headaches and Back Pains -
    One of the most common complaints made during pregnancy is all the pain you experience. Since the fetus puts a ton of pressure on the body, it's not uncommon to feel discomfort. Still, minimizing this pain is as simple as adopting a regular yoga practice and doing it often.
    Since yoga deepens the mind-body connection, you'll experience fewer aches and pains. Plus, your head won't hurt much if you're meditating regularly. That would decrease stress levels, lowering the odds of a headache in the first place.
  • Presence of Mind -
    Sometimes, stressful things happen, and there's not much you can do about them. Yet, the way you react to life's stressors has a massive impact on how they affect you.
    That's why meditation can make such a difference in your daily life if you practice it often. If you're confronted by something stressful, you won't overreact if you've been meditating. As such, things won't feel as tough as they used to before meditating.
  • Better Weight Management -
    Gaining a ton of weight during pregnancy isn't uncommon, but that doesn't mean it's fun. Thankfully, yoga may reduce weight gain during pregnancy by increasing daily activity levels.
    Since you burn calories during the practice, you won't gain as much as you would have otherwise. Thus, your waistline won't expand too much, and your old pants should still fit fine. Also, stress is less triggering if you've been doing yoga often, so binge eating won't be a thing.
  • Say Goodbye to Restless Nights -
    Going to sleep when your belly is carrying a small life isn't always easy. However, if you've done a lot of yoga during the day, drifting off won't be hard. Your head will hit the pillow, and you'll be in dreamland before you realize it.
    Plus, regular cardiovascular exercise can decrease the likelihood of mid-night disruptions. In other words, you'll make it through the whole night without waking up as much. That's what's made it so popular among expecting mothers with sleep issues.

Why Expectant Mothers Should Practice Yoga -
When you practice yoga, you're deepening the connection you share with the body. So, if something happens, you'll notice the impacts immediately. Not only will you feel better afterward, but you'll also experience fewer issues, to begin with. Yoga and meditation transform expectant mothers' lives and make them feel better.

Related Article:

  • What is special about Pregnancy Yoga?