Pregnancy is a beautiful phase of life, a new soul comes into your own womb. And you bring it into this World. Women are the ones who experience it. While a new life is growing inside you, it is important to prepare your body, mind, and soul for motherhood through yoga. There is a great importance of yoga during pregnancy.
Yoga during pregnancy
Approximately these 275 days, a woman needs all that care, comfort, and support (CCS). Fleeting through various phases and changes – physically and physiologically. This journey begins when that one thought comes to the couple’s mind to have a Baby. Stress imprisoning couples with a lot of worries and fears as pregnancy is accompanied by various physical and psychological demands.
The wonderful science of yoga can be directed at expectant mothers and their unborn. Yoga has empowered all those tools to prepare a woman for her upcoming role as a Mother. This tool lifts you up with profuse stamina and allows you to use your energy wisely along with the growing life inside you. From managing stress to relieving pain, yoga and meditation are revered by many for their benefits.
Couple Yoga
Pregnancy revolves around logistics, planning, worrying, and strategizing. The endless to-do lists of regular life with the added projects of preparing for a baby. Practicing couple yoga before and during pregnancy is a way to slow down and honor this huge shift in life Prenatal partner yoga classes involve true partner poses – where couples are doing the same pose together or alternating in supporting each other.
Yoga can help with increased body awareness – for both mom and partner. Labor is hard work, and all moms need support! It can be a chance for you and your partner to work together as you might in labor. Couples should be guided in the gentle practice of yoga postures. Postures that are beneficial during pregnancy, with an emphasis on working in pairs. Learn relaxation, breathing, movements, positions, and massage for pregnancy, and for use in labor. The best part is to enjoy bonding meditation with your baby.
Ayurveda
Ayurveda, sister of yoga has also mentioned care (physical body, Mental Body, diet, dincharya, ritucharya, ahar, vihar, achar, and vichar, etc) during pregnancy of the mother and baby.
The Ayurveda Department of Kashi Hindu University has taken a unique initiative i.e., Garbha Sanskar Therapy. Spiritual music therapy, Veda therapy, meditation therapy, and worship therapy will nurture pregnant women.
Garbhsanskar is extremely important in the present generation. The word “Garbha” is a Sanskrit word that means “fetus in the Womb” and the word “Sanskar” means “education of the mind”. The knowledge of Garbh Sanskar dates back to ancient scriptures, and it is included in the Ayurveda. The practice has been a part of Hindu tradition since time immemorial – it is evidenced by stories of how Garbh Sanskar had a very positive effect on mythological characters like Abhimanyu and Prahlad, who were enlightened in their mothers’ wombs.
Modern studies have proved that a fetus can respond to external stimuli. In fact, the hormonal secretions activated by the mother’s thoughts can also impact the baby in her womb. Garbh Sanskar covers pre-pregnancy, pregnancy as well as the breastfeeding phase, guiding parents until the child is about 2 years old.
It’s all about the mother maintaining a sound state of mind, not only mentally, but physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Ayurvedic Garbh Sanskar suggests certain guidelines that pregnant women can keep in mind for themselves and the unborn baby. Garbh Sanskar helps develop that eternal bond between the mother and her unborn child.
Ayurvedic Garbha Sanskar suggests certain guidelines that a woman can keep in mind during pre-pregnancy, pregnancy, and post-pregnancy duration. These include:
Proper Nutrition through Healthy eating habits: A balanced diet full of vitamins and minerals is recommended for this. Yoga texts say a diet should be “mitahara”. Eating a Sattvic diet (as per Ayurveda) mindfully in moderation. Sattvik food refers to freshly prepared, nutrient-rich food that includes all five tastes – sweet, salty, pungent, bitter, and sour.
Ayurveda recommends the consumption of Panchamrut, which is beneficial for boosting potency and immunity. It is made with one spoon curd, honey, sugar, and two spoons of ghee or clarified butter mixed with eight spoons of milk. At the same time, addictive substances should be avoided.
Practicing Yogic therapy: First Trimester is all about to create that permanency of pregnancy (PP) and to nurture the embryo in the womb. Suksham Vyayam, Sectional Breathing helps to calm and relax the body while preparing you for breath control during childbirth.
The second trimester is all about strengthening the uterine muscles and enhancing the nourishment of the embryo. The practice of Marjariasana, Bitilasana Helps to increase flexibility, improve blood circulation, and reduces backache during pregnancy.
The third trimester is all about creating that path while giving all comfort for the baby. And, to get ready for labor. Malasana, Shavasana (sideward), Vishnu asana boosts the mother’s chances of having a full-term normal delivery with minimal labor pain.
Yoga minimizes the discomfort and complications faced during pregnancy. It improves the circulation of blood, which really helps in dealing with different functional changes occurring in the body.
Guided Meditation
Meditation is an important aspect of the Garbha Sanskar. It is beneficial for the body, as it de-stresses the mind. It involves getting into ‘the zero state of mind’, which can help bring peace and tranquillity and enhance concentration. 
Positive affirmation/Visualization
Science says that a baby’s brain develops up to 60 percent while in the womb. An unborn baby can respond to outside influences. A fetus can hear the mother’s voice when in the womb. If the mother communicates positive things to the baby, it will affect their mental and physical development as well. Visualizing good things about the baby while you meditate is also a great way to bond. When you think positively, it can help both you and the baby.
Communication with the baby is ‘garbhasamwaad’ that contributes to the mental growth of the baby and helps to build a strong bond with the mother. retaining a happy atmosphere around you is useful for the health and personality development of an unborn child.
Prayer
Chanting of specific mantras such as Om Mantra, Gayatri Mantra blesses the baby with good health and moral values. Prayers are one of the ways to instill spiritual beliefs into a baby’s mind. Ancient scriptures contain mantras and shlokas which are beneficial for unborn babies.
Music therapy
Ancient literature says that a baby starts hearing and responding to its surroundings from the seventh month of pregnancy. Therefore, the mother should listen to melodious music which has a calming and soothing effect on her. Singing, reciting, or listening to soft, spiritual songs, mantras and shlokas are beneficial for both the mother and the child.
The nearest sound for the baby is the mother’s heartbeat. That is why when holding a crying baby close to the chest, can calm your baby. As the child hears something familiar, it can bring about a sense of calmness.
Benefits a Mother can receive through Garbh Sanskar Therapy
Practicing Yoga makes labor and Childbirth easier.
No more Postpartum disorders facing!!
Postpartum Weight – Loss fastest post-delivery
Natural Pregnancy Glow
Ease all those aches and pains
Connect with your Baby
Visualize yourself and Baby – healthy!
Acclimatize Body and its changes with Grace
Better Mental Health.
Yoga therapy provides asana for a healthy reproductive system. Yoga has relaxation techniques that help to overcome stress disorders, self-soothing techniques for worries and fears. It helps to boost fertility.
Wishing all pregnant mothers a healthier and happier journey. Enjoy your motherhood with yogic practices.
