More on Prenatal Yoga

I can never write anything and be one hundred percent satisfied with it. I always feel unfulfilled and unfinished, and think about whether or not I said what I wanted to say in the way that I wanted to say it. I was reflecting on this yesterday after I wrote my two entries. I feel like I did write what I wanted to about the benefits of prenatal yoga, and I genuinely believe in it as a great tool to deal with pregnancy and prepare for labor. I also want to be careful about building it up too much, and making it sound like a magical cure for all things pregnancy and birth related.

I absolutely love yoga, and I practice it because it gives me strength, helps me feel calm, and quiets some of the chatter in my mind. I have met a lot of grounded, amazing people in the "yoga world" but there is definitely some pretention and holier-than-thou stuff going on. It can turn people off and also intimidate newcomers. I have read some things that claim yoga can do things that it just cannot. For example, I read in a prenatal yoga book that if you practice yoga during pregnancy you will not get stretchmarks because your skin will be used to stretching from the poses. WHAT?!? I think that is completely irresponsible to tell women. Instead, why not tell them, hey, you will most likely be covered in stretchmarks and your body will probably not look the same after giving birth, but if you are active and tuning into your body and treating it well, you may not care about the stretchies and other changes as much. You just might learn to love and accept your body for what it is and the amazing things it can do.

The bottom line is-pregnancy and childbirth are HARD. They are supposed to be hard. It is a sacred and primal rite of passage and if it wasn't hard it wouldn't be as meaningful. Women are incredibly strong and powerful and I honestly believe yoga during pregnancy is a great tool for harnessing that strength, and also gaining the presence of mind to get through the experience. Pregnancy is still going to be uncomfortable and labor will most likely be exruciating. Things will most definitely not go as planned, but hopefully we can develop some skills to get through all of that, ease some of the discomfort, and focus on the amazing task at hand-bringing this incredible little creature into the world.

Yoga can be practiced by anyone. You do not have to be a twenty year old vegan who can twist herself into a pretzel. Anyone can benefit, no matter what your experience level may be. I want to make it more accessible to people, and to create an un-intimidating space where we can all be real and feel free to be ourselves.

At the risk of turning this post into a novel, I will not keep going on and on. I just wanted to keep it real. Practicing yoga during pregnancy (and in general) has some undeniable benefits, both physically and emotionally. Other things during pregnancy can be great as well. Taking a walk with a friend, going on a date with your partner, eating the occasional big bowl of ice cream, or whatever else makes you feel whole, healthy, and happy. You are doing an incredible thing, and you deserve to take some time for yourself and treat yourself very well.

Here's to enjoying the pregnancy journey.