Pregnancy is a precious time to practice the true essence of yoga; embrace humility, shed the ego, and surrender to what is.
Focus on the beautiful connection with your baby as you immerse in the union with your victorious breath. The more you can connect within, the more you can unite with the magic of the universe. I would like to share my recent experience practicing Hot Yoga while pregnant to lift some of the fog that can hover over Hot Yoga during pregnancy. My advice is built on education and experience as a dedicated and passionate Hot Yoga teacher and student for over fourteen years.
How to approach your Hot Yoga practice while pregnant:
1. Not for beginners. Have an established regular practice prior to pregnancy, so your body is already acclimated to the hot room and the postures. Hot Yoga, along with all other forms of intense exercise, is not recommended to initiate during a pregnancy.
2. Keep the mind quiet and listen to your body. Your body is a vessel of wisdom. For some, the hot room might not feel good and for others, like myself, it felt fantastic.
3. Consider skipping the first trimester. I skipped my first trimester in the hot room due to having had a couple miscarriages already and wanted to play it extra safe. It is a personal choice since it is a sensitive time during your pregnancy. Talk to your doctor and teacher, and implement first trimester prenatal modifications. It is essential to listen to your body during this early stage, as in tip 2, and see if the hot room feels okay. It is a nice time as well to establish a nurturing private home practice if you don’t have one already, which will come in handy when your baby arrives.
4. Use modifications. Stay current with modifications for the different stages of pregnancy. Many of the modifications are common sense, like don’t squash the baby!
5. Extra hydration. Always stay well hydrated before, during and after class. Treat yourself to extra refreshing coconut water to ensure you are soaking in those electrolytes.
6. Don’t overdo it. Make sure your face does not become bright red and your breath laborious. Take as many breaks as you need: stand in stillness or sit down. Be in a cooler area of the room, which is usually by the door, and that way you can open it or leave for a break if needed, without disrupting the rest of the class. Also, be mindful of the impact of hormone level changes, particularly relaxin, which soften the connective tissue, ligaments and tendons, so be careful you do not over stretch.
7. Be informed. When you talk to your teacher, make sure your teacher is well educated with Hot Yoga and has had proper instructions for pregnancy. Seek those who have Hot Yoga as their area of expertise, just as you would with other styles of yoga. I am mentioning this because there is quite a bit of misinformation out there.
8. Do what is right for you. No matter what others advise you, do what you are comfortable with. If Hot Yoga does not feel right, don’t do it.
Why continue your Hot Yoga practice during pregnancy?
1. Physical strength and flexibility. Strengthens the joints, muscles and all systems of the body, including keeping the hips and spine healthy, strong and flexible, and improves the lung capacity and breath control.
2. Blood flow. The heat helps open up any tightness and increases circulation to all areas of the body, by the dilation of the capillaries. It purifies, massages and rejuvenates.
3. Being present. Sharpens the mind and forces one to be very present with the breath.
4. Mental strength. Gain tremendous perseverance and determination.
5. Peace. It provides the ultimate state of calmness for the day.
6. Rest. Improves sleep.
7. Fortitude. Hot Yoga teaches you how to breathe in a stressful or uncomfortable situation as you face postures that might feel challenging. What a great preparation for birth!
8. Acceptance. When you are dripping with sweat, heart rate is up, and simultaneously can maintain a controlled calm breath, then you can truly let go and surrender to what is. Hot Yoga has amazing health benefits for everyone, and it is no different when you are pregnant. In most proper Hot Yoga studios there are good air ventilation systems so your sweat cools you down and your core body temperature does not change. It is different than sitting in a hot tub where you can’t sweat to cool off.
Throughout my pregnancy I was energized, slept well, had no back problems, was able to teach my full yoga schedule, and stay relaxed with the ebb and flow of life. You never know what may happen with your birth. Yoga keeps you strong, determined, calm and accepting for whatever your birth experience may be. Enjoy connecting with your baby as you move through your asanas with your breath on your mat. Yoga is love.
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