Benefits Of Yoga For Expecting Mothers

Posted on: Nov 12, 2020 | | Written by:

Benefits Of Yoga For Expecting Mothers

Open Doors to Your Own Grand Awesomeness

Last week, we shared the first blog post in our #YogaforAll series. In today’s post, the topic focuses on benefits of yoga for women, especially the expecting mothers.

A recent report outlines, nearly four in 10 women (38%), have a chronic condition that requires ongoing medical attention, compared to 30% of men.

Yoga For Expecting Mothers

No wonder, from cardio-vascular diseases, heart-ailments, breast cancer, fertility problems to osteoporosis; potential health risks in women have increased manifold in the recent years. So how do women remain calm and composed amidst all the rush and urgency to perform and excel in life?

Well, the simple answer is YOGA.

Two years ago, while making a strong pitch in the UN to observe an International Yoga Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also created a ministry-AYUSH. This step itself, stresses upon the importance of yoga and physical activity in our day to day life.

Benefits of YOGA for women

Ensures complete Body workout: Yogic asanas give a complete workout to the entire human system by encouraging the right state of mind, body and soul, which is not possible from any other type of exercise. Yoga enhances the internal organs by promoting the movement of sufficient oxygen to different cells of the body.

Enhances Endocrinal System: Endocrinal system controls secretion of hormones in the body, making it the most important system in the body. Practicing yoga enhances and promotes the right work mechanism of the endocrine system.

Safety measures must be taken especially by the women suffering from ailments like asthma. They mustn't practice pranayams/asanas that require one to hold or suspend breath.

Benefits of yoga for expecting mothers

Prenatal yoga can help women prepare for childbirth. Certain yoga exercises help during subsequent recovery of postpartum depression. Undoubtedly, practicing yoga provides natural relaxation to the body as it stimulates all the body organs.

Prenatal yoga takes a multifaceted approach to exercise and encourages stretching, mental centering and focused breathing amongst benefits like-
Improving sleep and increasing strength and flexibility of the muscles
Reducing stress and anxiety
Improving endurance of muscles required for childbirth
Decreasing lower back pain, nausea, carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms, headaches and shortness of breath
Avoid these yoga asanas and poses during pregnancy.
One must also ensure that yoga is practiced in guidance of a qualified yoga instructor or opt for a prenatal yoga class in the absence of one.

Some safety tips women and expectant mothers must adhere to before they begin practicing Yoga:

Based on the pregnancy trimesters, certain exercises/poses cannot be carried throughout all pregnancy months.

Avoid forward bending asanas, inverted poses and exercises that may put pressure on the abdomen
Strictly avoid asanas that require lying down on the weight of stomach.

So if you know an expecting mother, don’t forget to let her know the benefits of pre-natal yoga. Just as Yoga works as food for well-being of the soul; health insurance plans work for the well-being of the person. HDFC ERGO Health ERGO Health Insurance plan has Ayush benefit that covers medical expenses for in-patient treatments under Ayurveda, Unani, Sidha and Homeopathy and also provides maternity benefits.

So are you ready for Yoga on 2nd World yoga day?

Boast your immunity with yoga this International Yoga Day

6 Ways Yoga Can Help You Deal With Stress Of The Corporate Life

International Day of Yoga - Significance, History, Health Benefits

Why is a maternity insurance plan a good idea?

5 Things to Know About Maternity Insurance in India