The ancient practice of yoga is an excellent form of exercise for most people. Many pregnant women are also advised to practice yoga, because of the numerous health benefits that are associated with it. Yoga can help -
Before you perform any yoga pose during pregnancy, it is absolutely imperative that you consult your doctor and get an approval. If you have been practicing yoga much before pregnancy, you may need to speak to your instructor about modifying the poses slightly in order to suit your present needs. Also, if you are new to the practice of yoga, please make sure that you learn the poses and exercises from a certified yoga instructor.
Once you are familiar with the right yoga poses for pregnant women and the exact technique to execute them, your instructor may allow you to practice yoga at home. As your pregnancy progresses and you make a few changes to your regular wardrobe, you may need to start thinking about choosing a few maternity yoga clothes too.
Maternity yoga clothes are not very different from regular yoga apparel. A few changes have been made to the line of yoga attire for pregnant women, just to ensure a higher level of comfort. Moreover, for the safety of your baby, you will need to work out wearing styles and fabrics that do not dig into your tummy or restrict the flow of blood. While selecting yoga clothes, look for yoga tops and pants that allow for ease of movement. Moreover, most of the maternity yoga clothes available can be used as regular exercise-wear during pregnancy too.
Most health experts will advise you to buy loose fitting tops while practicing yoga poses and exercises. However, these tops could expose your belly or pregnancy bulge in the middle of a stretch. To avoid this embarrassment, you may want to choose a yoga top that is a little snug. You have the option of tank tops, halter necks, spaghetti straps, T-backs and so on, for adding variety to your yoga attire. While there is no perfect yoga top for pregnant women, you may want to look for a yoga top that has a built-in shelf-bra, ideal for low-impact support. Before buying any yoga top, make sure that the fabric absorbs the moisture from your body.
Many pregnant women wear drawstring pants or track pants while working out, or engaging in yoga. However, in the later stages of pregnancy, it may be best to buy special yoga pants for pregnant women. Maternity yoga pants are different from regular yoga pants in a way that they have a wide elastic panel at the waist. This panel goes over the belly to provide support and comfort in the second trimester. This panel also stretches as the baby grows, which is why you can wear these maternity yoga pants right till the end of the third trimester and perhaps, even after your baby is born. There are some women who prefer to wear yoga pants that roll under the belly. While shopping for yoga pants, you can choose from leggings, cargo style, bell-bottom and capris, to name a few.
During pregnancy, you will probably need to buy maternity under garments, before you make any changes to your wardrobe. Many women choose to wear their regular maternity underwear during a yoga session. While that is acceptable, you may want to think about picking up a few maternity undergarments that are more suitable for yoga and exercise. Make sure that the undergarments you choose are comfortable and provide adequate support to your body. At the same time, they should also allow you to move freely. Like all your other yoga clothes, your underwear should also be loose-fitting and sweat-absorbent.
During a yoga routine, there are several things that you need to be careful about, in addition to your attire, especially if you are pregnant. Make sure that you use the right accessories like mats, cushions, towels and bolsters. Speak to both, your physician and your yoga instructor, about the dos and don’ts you need to follow.
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