YOGA AND PREGNANCY

Practicing yoga during pregnancy is one of the healthiest ways to nurture yourself and your baby. You will learn to become more patient and gentle with yourself and gain confidence in the beautiful mother that you are becoming. Marvel at the miracle of your baby and what your incredible body and spirit are capable of creating.

During your pregnancy, you and your baby are changing and growing every day. More than ever before, your yoga practice will change and grow from day to day. You will be faced with new challenges physically, emotionally, and spiritually. For example, physical balance may become more difficult but your flexibility will increase. Regarding the heat be cautious, but not afraid. It is still healthy for your body to sweat allowing your muscles to loosen and relax. The heat also helps toxins in the body to be released. Ask the teacher where the coolest part of the room is, and don't be afraid to sit out any poses your body (or your baby) tells you to.

Yoga means union. May yoga unite you with yourself, your breath, your body and the new life you are creating.

Your health and the health of your baby is of the utmost importance. We advise our expectant moms to consult with their physician prior to practicing Bikram Yoga during pregnancy. It is important that you tell your instructors as soon as possible so we can educate and assist you during your pregnancy.

If you have been doing yoga regularly just prior to your pregnancy, then you may continue with the yoga postures in Bikram's Beginning Yoga class until your third month, or up until the time you are no longer able to lie on your abdomen. Then you should use the pregnancy series as taught in Rajashree's Yoga for Pregnancy DVD.

If you are new to yoga or have not been doing Yoga just prior to your pregnancy, you should wait three months until you start. At that time you should use the Rajashree's pregnancy yoga DVD for your home practice.

	Rajashree's Pregnancy Yoga is a unique and complete learning experience. It includes both a DVD and an audio CD. The DVD allows you to see the entire series of postures practiced by Rajashree and students at different stages of pregnancy. Through Rajashree's commentary, you learn about the postures and how to perform them correctly. It's like being in a class led by Rajashree herself.
Rajashree's pregnancy DVD is available to purchase at Yogagoove.

BIKRAM YOGA PREGNANCY SERIES
(updates coming soon)

Yogagroove is searching for someone to model the Bikram series for new website photos. The appropriate candidate should be in her 2nd or 3rd trimester and have practiced Bikram Yoga for at least 9 months. Please speak with a teacher to express your interest.

Standing Deep Breathing (Pranayama)
· after 4 months, separate feet slightly
Half Moon
· move feet farther apart to make room for the baby
· as tummy grows, widen stance especially on forward bend, grab sides of feet - not heels
· never compress
· support yourself sufficiently in and out of forward bending as you grow
Back Bending
Hands to Feet
Akward (1st Part)
· same as non pregnancy, later on in 3rd part, don't press knees together if you feel too much pressure going down
Akward (2nd Part)
Akward (3rd Part)
Eagle (Side View)
· same as non-pregnancy, but may have more difficulty hooking leg all the way around
Eagle (Front View)
Standing Head to Knee
Standing Bow Pulling (Set-Up)
Standing Bow Pulling
Standing Separate Leg Stretching 1
Standing Separate Leg Stretching 2
Balancing Stick
Triangle
Standing Separate Leg Head to Knee
Tree Pose
Toe Stand
Savasana
Wind Removing (Right Leg)
Wind Removing (Both Legs Side View)
Wind Removing (Both Legs Front View)
Fish (Instead of Cobra)
Locust
Bridge (Instead of Bow)
Fixed Firm
Half Tortoise (Side View)
Half Tortoise (Front View)
Camel 1
Camel 2
Bound Angle (Instead of Rabit)
Head to Knee
Spinal Twist
Final Breathing