Safety first
Our first priority is the health of you and your baby. The following conditions are contraindicated (unsafe) for yoga practice during pregnancy.
• Three or more spontaneous miscarriages
• Multiple gestation — triplets or more
• Lung disease
• Placenta previa
• Toxemia
• Preeclampsia (pregnancy-induced hypertension)
• Membrane rupture
• Pre-term labor in prior or current pregnancy
• Incompetent cervix
• Persistent second- or third-trimester bleeding
• Intrauterine growth retardation
Prenatal students must provide a physician’s release form by the second class of a session.
Specialized practice
The dramatic changes of pregnancy affect every system in the body; thus yoga practice must be modified for the benefit and safety of mother and child.
Our classes emphasize expectant mothers’ strengths and abilities, but it’s important for women, especially experienced yoginis, to know which practices are unsafe. This list may not be comprehensive, as each pregnancy and every mother is unique.
Contraindicated postures in pregnancy:
• Backbends
• Balancing without props or support
• Breath retention
• Abdominal strengtheners
• Forward bends without props or major modification
• Prone postures (on belly)
• Supine postures (on back)
• Spinal twists (deep)
• Jumping, quick transitions (no traditional sun salutations)
• Full inversions
For a printable guide to basic prenatal practice, visit MamasteYoga.com.
Why is a hot practice inappropriate for most women during pregnancy? Click here.
* More information on the specifics of prenatal practice coming soon. Please call 321.7676 or email us if you have questions.
