Why Practice Yoga During Pregnancy and Postpartum?
Written By: Erin Schifferli, MS RDN, Prenatal Yoga Certified E-RYT and Birth Doula
There are many benefits to incorporating regular movement into daily, or weekly, life during pregnancy and beyond. According to Penny Simkin, renowned birth doula and author of the National Bestseller, The Birth Partner, pregnant people “might want to begin some strength training, particularly for your core, arms, and legs.” She discusses this as a valuable way to prepare for the demands of labor and birth. Prenatal and Postpartum yoga practices combine strength training, flexibly and range of motion stretches, and breathing and relaxation techniques. In this way, a balanced yoga practice offers a supportive approach to both the pregnant person and the baby’s overall physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing during pregnancy, postpartum, and beyond.
Specifically, keeping the pelvic bowl open and fluid can support a healthy birth. Spinning Babies® — a physiological approach to preparing for and caring for birth — recommends pregnant persons “lengthen muscles and increase range of motion in your pregnant body to make space for baby’s best birth position,” on their daily activities page of their website. As a Spinning Babies trained and certified Prenatal Yoga Teacher, Erin often offers time in classes for students to practice stretching hips, lower back, legs, including all the connective tissues and areas around the pelvic bowl. She also prioritizes sharing various labor and birthing positions in preparation for baby’s birthday.
After birth, the breathing techniques can be a helpful and nourishing aspect as the body heals, the uterus contracts, and families are adjusting to having a newborn. Also important are re-stabalizing the abdominal muscles, hips, pelvic bowl and perineum. A well designed yoga practice can provide that just right combination of gentle strengthening positions to assist in this process.
Ready to learn more or have questions? Check out the below resources and feel free to email Erin Schifferli, MS RDN, Prenatal Yoga Certified E-RYT and Birth Doula to learn more about the upcoming Prenatal and Postpartum Yoga at Serenity Yoga and Wellness.