Inversions During Pregnancy?
For many, inversions (turning yourself upside down) are a favourite part of their yoga practice. One that has many benefits including improving blood flow, calming the nervous system and balancing hormones.
Gentle inversions like legs up the wall and Supported Bridge are usually a standard inclusion in Prenatal yoga classes, and help to relieve tired, aching legs and swollen feet caused by the extra weight of pregnancy and circulation changes. Advanced inversions during pregnancy, however, are an entirely different issue.
While there is no definitive answer as to whether you should include inversions in your yoga practice while pregnant, there are some key ideas that most yogis (and specifically those with prenatal experience) would agree on.
Pregnancy is not the time to be challenging your body to try anything new (It’s already creating life! That’s amazing enough!)
Pregnancy is a time to tune in to your body, which is why many women are naturally drawn to yoga at this time, as this is one of the main principles of the practice.
The risk of injury is greater during pregnancy due to hormones which are working to relax ligaments and tendons to create room for the growing baby and in preparation for birth.
Ultimately, it is up to the individual mother to decide what is right for her and her baby on the yoga mat. After all, it is this practice of tuning in to your own intuition which will serve you best during pregnancy, birth and motherhood.
In this video, I have demonstrated few stretches and one preparatory postures for each inversion.
1. Preparatory pose for Shoulderstand – Bridge Pose
2. Shoulderstand
3. Preparatory pose for Headstand – Dolphin Pose
4. Headstand
5. Preparatory pose for Scorpion pose – Chakrasana
6. Scorpion Pose
7. Handstand
**DO NOT TRY ANY OF THESE POSTURES AT HOME WITHOUT ANY PRIOR EXPERIENCE/PROPER GUIDANCE.**
Hope this video was helpful.
Stay Happy and Healthy!
Happy Pregnancy and Safe Delivery 🙂
Namaste!
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