5 Reasons to Start a Yoga Practice While Prenatal or Postpartum.
One question I get asked all the time is why should I practice yoga while I am pregnant or postpartum? What are the benefits, and can’t I just do videos at home? The answers explained below:
- Specialty Trained Teachers
As far as safety is concerned, the level of training is a major factor in why it is beneficial to establish a yoga practice before or after baby. The average yoga teacher has 200- hours of training to teach a typical person (not pregnant or postpartum.) However, a prenatal teacher has another 85 hours of extensive training that provides them with to guide a pregnant person safely though a practice. A postpartum teacher has an additional 20 hours of training that focused on the postpartum body and mind.
2. Breath and Awareness
If you have an established yoga practice before either one of these periods you will know the importance of finding your breath in practice and how to transition off the mat into life. There is no better way to apply this practice than in a birth setting and it life as a Mom/parent.
3. Connection to Pelvic Floor
If you are saying …what the hell is my pelvic floor, then you were just like me before I had my kids and went through my prenatal training. The PF is located at the base of your pelvis and those muscles are responsible for the connection to so many party of the mind and body. Most pre and postpartum teachers at least have some idea of how to connect to it and will likely give you space during class to find out more.
4. Ground in and Slowdown
The average vinyasa class is fast moving, loud and sweaty, which is great for those that come in prepared to rise and MOVE. The fact is, that prenatal and postpartum bodies (and minds) have different needs than just getting a good workout. Often, we really need a work in. These teachers come to class prepared to give students time to connect to their breath, body and baby which is a space your typical class just doesn’t have.
5. Connection
Most important, as new, and upcoming Mama’s and parents what we need and crave more than anything is connection. Connection to like-minded people that share our thoughts and experience’s, a change to talk if we want or to hold space for a neighbor. This is my favorite part of being a yoga teacher is the connection I see my students making with their breath, body, baby, and neighbor.