Yoga Mat..ernity, why pregnancy and Yoga are so suited...!

Yes, this is much on my mind ! I am starting a new Pregnancy Yoga class in Swansea in February. I have had a number of Yoga students who were pregnant in my normal classes in the past but I want to offer them a specialised class with more individual attention now. The potential benefits are so worthwhile, Yoga in pregnancy can tone, stretch, offer breathing techniques and relaxation at a time when they are very welcome ( I am told !) . The holistic approach of Yoga to maternity fits in with Ayurvedic principles developed over the ages; this is in stark contrast to Western medicine which took a contrary view until fairly recently - pregnant women were patients to be processed by the medical system. Thankfully this Western view has changed and mothers to be are rightly at the heart of the decision making process for their  own pregnancy and Yoga is routinely recommended as a positive option. As always though, every case is individual and it is essential, in my opinion, to get the approval of a GP or midwife before starting Yoga or other specific antenatal exercise, particularly if you are new to Yoga.          

Lever-arched-folders... Yoga students , not stationery !

The Yoga Sports Science (TM) course I'm following is covering , amongst other things the correct neutral positions for standing, stitting and lying down and very good stuff it is too ! I always found bio-mechanics fascinating in the context of Yoga practice, teaching and in the wider field of sport. It brings to mind , one of my favourite safety concepts in Yoga which links to levers in physics. In one respect the body is like  a wheelbarrow; in the case of the wheelbarrow, it is a 2nd class lever, the effort is applied by lifting the handles, the load is contained in the hopper and and the pivot is provided by the axle of the wheel. The longer the handles, the more force that is applied through the 'barrow. So , in theory, like the old adage, you could lift the world if your 'barrow handles were long enough!
So how does this apply to the human body? If you imagine someone coming up from a standing forward bend , their hips are like the 'barrow axle , the back muscles provide the effort and the torso is the load. If the arms are extended in front they act like long handles and greatly increase the load on the back muscles. The lower back is vulnerable anyway and this invites trouble ! I would advise sweeping the arms sideways (in line with the chest , or behind it) when coming up; also, bending the legs a little at the knees to share the effort of lifting with the thighs...it's so much easier. "Non- harming" (Ahimsa) is an underlying Yoga principle, be kind to yourself.. you deserve it .