Yoga and childbirth

2024 Author: James Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 14:00

Anyone who can overcome their laziness will achieve success in yoga.

It doesn't matter if he is young or old, sick, weak or even decrepit.

If only his practice was persistent.

Swatamarama Hatha Yoga Pradipika Chapter 1

I was 25 years old when an elderly aunt-doctor in the district clinic christened me "old-born." She long and thoroughly instilled in me that if I do not give birth in the near future, then it will be extremely difficult to do later, because "a healthy child can be born with ease only up to 25". Children were not part of my plans at the time. I had an interesting job, I wanted to visit many more places, and my addiction to dancing in nightclubs on Sunday evenings did not fit with diapers and baby screams.

But the continuous suggestion did the trick. I thought about how to keep myself in physical shape so that at the moment when I am about to give birth, the term "old-born" could not scare me.

I'm naturally lazy. Do not think wrong, I have always loved to run, jump and swim, but only on a hunt, not to lose weight and not to systematically maintain health. The strained optimism of aerobics coaches made me idiosyncratic, and exercise bikes and other equipment just scared me, what if something would fall on my leg? That is, classes, during which you need to sweat for a long time and thoroughly from overvoltage, did not suit me.

In addition, I wanted my body, which was "not aged" by the time the baby was born, to correspond to my young soul. That's it, no more, no less. I remembered Madonna, who easily gave birth at the age of 40 and prefers yoga to all classes, and decided to follow her example.

According to yogis, each person is inextricably linked with the cosmos and is himself a kind of universe, organically combining the physical, mental and spiritual principles. Yoga is the art of achieving balance between body, mind and soul. It differs from ordinary physical exercises, which require great efforts and are usually performed on "automatism". Yoga teaches, first of all, to breathe correctly, to proportionally combine tension and relaxation of muscles, to consciously perform each exercise. To master the art of yoga, you need to awaken in yourself the kundalini - the mysterious force of life - and combine it with prana - the life-giving force of breath. Then a person will acquire supernatural energy and achieve mental and physical harmony. It was for this harmony that I went to the Yoga Center.

Of course, we European women are different from Indian women. In India, asanas - this is how the fixed postures taken in yoga are called - are absorbed with mother's milk, and Indian women during pregnancy do yoga exercises painlessly and fearlessly because from generation to generation these exercises were done by their progenitors, and everything was in order with them. …

But for us yoga, if we approach the process correctly and carefully, is useful, and even necessary for many. I went to classes until the day of birth (and including it, since I gave birth later than the appointed time). And that's why:

-, they improve blood circulation in the pelvic organs, strengthen the spine and muscles directly involved in childbirth, which is of great importance for a favorable course of childbirth and the postpartum period.

- which, as a result, leads to an improvement in the general condition of the body.

-, give self-confidence, relieve stress and fatigue. It's no secret that expecting a child is a time when a woman is especially prone to fears, worries, doubts, when her mental state is unstable, and her mood constantly fluctuates from plus to minus. Therefore, the expectant mother simply needs relaxation - at least during yoga classes - to make it easier to endure the pregnancy.

- which is undoubtedly important for the childbirth process. Breathing exercises are a kind of test for women preparing for childbirth. The technique of correct breathing in yoga and during childbirth is identical - that is why it is necessary to master it by the time the baby is born.

-, which makes thoughts clear, the soul - calm, and the muscles - strong. Waiting for a baby is a time when harmony between these three components is especially needed.

What specific exercises can help a future woman in labor? First of all, these are relaxation exercises. Mom will need the ability to relax when the contractions are strong and prolonged.

For a couple of minutes between contractions, mom should be able to get a good rest. These are exercises such as forward bend or baby pose. In this case, Mom sits on her heels and, bending forward, places her belly between her knees. From experience I can say that for me this position was a real salvation.

The following exercises are, of course, breathing exercises. If a woman performs breathing exercises between contractions, she is insured against the weakness of labor, and the child from hypoxia. I gave birth for 36 hours, and proper breathing was especially important for me.

A very important dynamic exercise is Surya Namaskar. If a woman performs this exercise between contractions, she significantly speeds up labor. To be honest, I remembered this asana quite late, when the contractions became prolonged. And it is possible that if this thought had come to me earlier, then it would not have taken so long to give birth.

And of course, we must not forget about inverted poses, such as Shirshasana (headstand) and Salamba Sarvangasana (in the common people "birch" or shoulderstand). If it seems to you that it is unrealistic to do this with a big belly, I advise you to attend at least one yoga class for pregnant women.

You will be amazed at the ease with which moms with big bellies perform these poses. Of course, the help of an instructor and special devices are important here. For pregnant women, these asanas are of particular importance, as they contribute to the establishment of the correct position of the child.

I gave birth at 30. She gave birth to a large (3840 g and 54 cm) girl herself, without breaks. Today, when I look at my eight-month-old daughter, I mentally praise myself for the fact that my laziness 5 years ago sent me to yoga classes. Pregnancy preparation classes offer different types of gymnastics, and, of course, you need to choose in accordance with your physical condition and the condition of the baby. My advice is that yoga is worth trying even for those who did not practice it before pregnancy, but only in specialized centers and with a teacher who is certified for classes with pregnant women. Gentle static exercises, proper breathing and relaxation skills will benefit any mommy. An easy delivery and a quick recovery of a figure, even when nursing, will be your reward for your perseverance. Or, as me, for my laziness.