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You can start practicing prenatal yoga from the day you discover that you are pregnant. Quite contrary to what many people believe, there is no specified time frame to practice prenatal yoga. You can practice it from the first to the last week of your pregnancy if you feel comfortable with it.
While there is no such ideal time to start prenatal yoga, it is advised that you begin with the first few weeks of pregnancy. This is because it will only be more difficult to start with yoga in later stages of pregnancy.
Common prenatal yoga poses
Prenatal yoga is slightly different from normal yoga. It encompasses yoga poses that are specifically meant to suit the body of a pregnant woman. Let us take a look at some of the commonly practiced poses in prenatal yoga.
* Pigeon pose- This yoga pose helps open up the chest and shoulders. It also stretches the thighs, back and the groin.
* Warrior II pose- It helps stretch your arms and legs. It also tones the abdomen and opens your chest.
* Triangle pose- This yoga pose strengthens your legs. It also stretches your hamstrings, groins and hips.
* Half moon pose- Also known as ardha chandrasana, this yoga pose improves your overall balance. It also strengthens your ankles and thighs.
* Cobbler's pose- This yoga pose is also known as bandh konasana and helps open up the hips and the groin.
* Knee to ankle pose- This yoga asana opens up the hips. It is also known as agnisthambasana.
Include meditation in prenatal yoga
Pregnancy is a period where you need to be not just physically fit but also mentally fit. While the above mentioned prenatal yoga poses will train your mind, you need to include meditation in your yoga practice to work on your mind too. Meditation helps you keep more calm and relaxed. It also eases out the worries of giving birth to a child. Besides, meditation also enhances your endurance, which is a must at the time of delivery.
Use yoga accessories to make prenatal yoga easier
Since yoga accessories are meant to make your yoga session more comfortable, they are more apt for prenatal yoga than compared to any other yoga form. You can use yoga accessories such as yoga bolsters and yoga cushions that can provide you the desired support and help you perform yoga in a much comfortable manner. Besides, you can also use yoga accessories like fruit cases that will store your fruits so you will have something healthy to eat after a yoga session.
Prenatal yoga is a great thing for any pregnant woman. It not just trains you physically but also prepares you mentally to give birth to a new life. So, go ahead and start prenatal yoga as soon as you wish to and enjoy the benefits.
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