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Other Notes about my Pregnancy and Delivery
Me doing camel pose at 38 weeks
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Almost every pregnacy book I read and every medical professional
I spoke to recommended that I discontinue my practice and
teaching in the heated room.
I knew how much the yoga had given to me pre-pregnancy,
and I was excited and looking forward to all the benefits
it would provide me during my pregnancy, so I decided to
not listen to their recommendations and to follow my heart.
Anyone that has ever been pregnant knows that a lot of
people will have advice for you. Being a teacher as well
as a practitioner, many students would approach me and ask
me questions about the yoga and pregnancy. I would occasionally
hear comments about how they thought I should stop. Even
my midwife was concerned about the heat. There were times
when I was second-guessing myself after hearing these comments.
But I noticed that the times that I felt uneasy occured
outside of the room, outside of my practice.In other words,
when my mind - my ego - was involved.
Every time I was in the room practicing the yoga, I felt
amazing. My mind felt at ease, my body stretching and opening
with every day and every pose. I decided to listen to my
body and heart and to continue to practice Bikram Yoga throughout
my pregnancy.
My pregnancy ended on December 27 when our baby boy was
born! We arrived at the hospital at 3:15am and he was born
at 7:45am. The labour was strong, intense, but quick and
total pushing time was 45 minutes. He was born 11 lbs, 3
oz and 23 1/4 inches long.
I truly believe that I was able to give birth naturally
and without medication to such a big boy from the help of
my experience practicing yoga before and throughout my pregnancy.
During labour, my body and mind were pushed beyond limits
they had never seen before. In between contractions (which
didn't seem like much time at all!) I was able to fully
let go and relax much like the Savasanas between postures.
At one point during contractions and especially during the
pushing stage, I actually visualized myself in Danny's class
with him commanding us to "push and push and push and
puuuuuuush"!
It helped becuse it reminded me to let go of my mind and
let my body do the work - it knows what to do! I am sure
the yoga helped to increase the flexibility in my hips and
pelvis and helped to maintain my abdominal strength which
all would help during the birthing process.
Familiarize yourself with the pregnancy modifications from
Rajashree's Pregnancy Yoga DVD.
Listen to your heart, and trust yourself. Enjoy the miracle
of pregnancy and all of the benefits that practicing Bikram
Yoga during this time will offer you. What is good for mom
is good for baby :)
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