For a woman who is pregnant, bonding with your unborn baby is imperative.  It can help lay the foundation for the relationship you will have with your child.  Of course, there are many ways to go about it.  Bonding can be as easy as talking and singing.  Another way to connect – prenatal yoga.

Yoga is an ancient form of exercise.  The practice works to connect the body, mind and spirit.  Prenatal yoga can be a great way to bond with your baby, prepare for birth and stay in shape.  Mom-to-be, Marie Santos, says that is why she signed up for a class.  “Someone told me that when you take yoga you get in tune with your breath and your baby and also get you prepared for labor.  So, I want to do that!”

Deborah Eacock of Ginkgo Tree Yoga teaches prenatal yoga classes at Mommy Matters in Fresno.  “It’s very good for their flexibility, strengthening, for their balance.  Because their center of gravity changes very frequently during pregnancy.”

Deborah says postures are modified for the pregnant body.  “Twists for example.  Obviously you can’t twist the abdomen too much with baby there.  So, twists are usually more gentle and more open, moving out from the body rather than bringing things in toward the body.”

It can help new moms learn to breathe deeply, relax and connect with their unborn child.  Deborah says, “When mommy is relaxed and happy, baby is relaxed and happy.  So as mom relaxes and oxygenates better, baby is getting more oxygen, more nutrients, baby is relaxed and growing better.”

Yoga can help a woman find focus, which can be very beneficial for baby as mom takes her journey through pregnancy.  Marie describes how it has helped her.  “How to be present in the moment of it.  Take time to realize what’s going on, reflect on what’s going on and be with yourself and your baby.  We just get to spend time together.  I’m not doing dishes or working or anything like that.”

It can also help a woman improve her concentration as she prepares to deliver her baby.
Marie says, “In labor, I can focus on what’s going on right now.  Not thinking about how long I’ve been in labor, or how long I’m going to be in labor.  But the breath right now and what I’m doing right now.”

Marie says the poses, or asanas, learned in prenatal yoga classes are helpful in alleviating the discomforts of pregnancy.  “Especially in areas that help with the baby right now.  My legs were sore before and being able to find the diff positions to relieve some of the pain.”

Another bonus?  Deborah says prenatal yoga can strengthen the muscles needed for birth.  “Especially the standing postures really help strengthen the legs and the hip, lower back so you need that strength during labor if you are going to be up moving around.  You need the Strength for pushing.”

Deborah points out, yoga can be a good way for pregnant women to stay in shape.  “Just the whole thing of being upright and postures, finding your balance.  Working with your breath.  It strengthens the whole respiratory system, it strengthens the core muscles.  It’s really a fairly decent workout for women who are pregnant.”

Prenatal yoga classes also provide a time for mommies to get in contact with other pregnant women.  Deborah says, “Prenatal Yoga is so wonderful for mommies.  It’s a time for them to destress, time to relax get contact with their baby and other mommies who are also pregnant.  So, it’s a nice community.”

No experience is necessary for most pre-natal yoga classes.  And Deborah tells us a mom to be can participate at any time from her first trimester up until she delivers the baby.  Just remember, your routine will require change as time goes on and your belly grows.

As with any exercise program, you are encouraged to check with a doctor before signing up.