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EARLY PREGNANCY
The action of yoga on our physiology is primarily through breathing
and awareness. Without them, poses and movements remain just
exercises. Whatever your experience of being pregnant, your
awareness of your natural breathing rhythm can help link your
emotions and thoughts to physical sensations. In a state of calm
awareness, breathing becomes a powerful tool of transformation.
BREATH & AWARENESS
BENEFITS
These simple practices are effective
techniques to link body and spirit through
a combination of breathing and expressive
gestures. In pregnancy, they are particularly
useful for:
Centering yourself and accessing
your inner strength.
Calming yourself instantly using
deep breathing.
Developing your awareness of good
alignment. Breathing, mudras, and
meditation are most effective if
your spine is well aligned.
Nurturing yourself and your baby.
Increasing your awareness of involuntary
tensions and your ability
to relax your pelvic floor muscles.
Helping you discover the power of intent
expressed in your gestures.
Introducing you to the refreshing
power of meditation.
BREATHING
ALTERNATE NOSTRIL
BREATHING Close your eyes and
place the index and middle fingers of
one hand between your eyebrows.
Close one nostril with your thumb
and inhale through the open nostril.
Close this nostril with your third
finger, release your thumb, and
exhale through the freed nostril.
Repeat several times.
PRANA
In this slow movement, you expand your inahle to
take in prana (universal energy) and direct it to yourself and
your baby. Sit on the floor with your back supported and
your legs crossed or straight. Inhale, spread your arms in a
wide embrace with your palms open, exhale, and cross your
hands over your chest. Inhale, and rest your hands on your
abdomen as you exhale. Repeat, deepening and calming
your breathing with a slightly extended exhalation.
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