Many expectant mothers have concerns about maintaining their fitness routines while pregnant. While there are some options, one of the more popular ones is prenatal yoga. But what does this type of exercise do to your body when you are pregnant? Today, we are providing you with some information on prenatal yoga and the pregnant body.

Benefits

In 2012, the University of Michigan did a study on links between emotions associated with pregnancy and mindfulness yoga which showed a measurable reduction in depression. Additionally, there have been studies that found there is a relationship between prenatal yoga and reduction of risk of hypertension-related complications as well as improving fetal outcomes.  Some of the other benefits that come along with prenatal yoga include (but are not limited to): lowered risk of intrauterine growth restriction, decreased carpal tunnel syndrome, improved sleep, reduced stress, decreased nausea, decreased headaches, reduced risk of preterm labor, increased strength, flexibility and endurance which translates into decreased lower back pain.

Concerns

While Yoga does have a number of benefits, it is important to remember that there are some guidelines you should follow to make sure you and your baby are safe during the exercise. One of the biggest safety concerns for prenatal yoga is not to overexert yourself by limiting your routine to 30 minutes and not trying new moves you’ve never attempted before. It is also important that you never practice yoga that requires a hot environment because it isn’t safe or healthy for expecting mother.

Where to Go

There are many studios that offer classes specifically for pregnant women, so it is worthwhile to call some of the local yoga studios or check out their websites to see what kind of classes they offer. Even if you have been very active before pregnancy, it is advisable to avoid advanced classes as they can be exceptionally strenuous. You can also ask friends for recommendations of places to take prenatal yoga classes.

Click the links below for more information on the benefits and concerns of prenatal yoga.

http://www.parents.com/pregnancy/my-body/fitness/prenatal-yoga-benefits/

https://www.fitpregnancy.com/exercise/prenatal-workouts/10-benefits-of-prenatal-yoga

http://americanpregnancy.org/pregnancy-health/prenatal-yoga/

http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-20728/prenatal-no-nos-a-complete-yoga-guide-to-a-healthy-safe-pregnancy.html