Preparation to bring a new soul into the world

Yoga for Pregnant Women 
by
Kamini

Pregnancy presents manifold problems for women today especially working women. However, Yoga can help the woman to stay fit physically, mentally and spiritually during and pre-and-post pregnancy.

Bringing a new soul into the world is looked upon differently by different people. For some it is to keep up the progeny of the family, someone to care of in their old age, for some it is just an unthinking natural social-cultural fallout of marriage.
However, the birth of every child holds the seeds of germination of the future of the world. The parents and society are the soil in which the child grows to be stunted, full bloom, loving, peaceful, violent, or whatever nourishment it gets from its environment.
Therefore, given the enormous significance of the coming of a new soul into the world, it is the responsibility of the parents to do everything to see that they are healthy in mind, body and soul before they assume the important role of parenthood. This has become more important today when life styles of men , women have changed by dramatically.

On the positive side is that women are educated and aware. They have greater control over their lives. Also, men are more open to participating in parenthood and fatherhood. Therefore, it is today possible for men & women to take guidance for parenthood.
But on the flip side most women are burdened with the dual responsibility of home and career. They  are in a bad shape physically, mentally and emotional to bear children. Most jobs being sedentary in nature, women suffer from total lack of physical exercise. Their life-style are fraught with unhealthy diet, erratic hours, pressures of travel and work. 

For all these maladies a daily routine of asana, pranayama, shavasana, yognidra will  take care of the problems of the new age mother-to-be. Such a yoga routine will automatically provide the best physical, mental and emotional state for both child and mother. If the father too joins in then it will make for a family healthy in body, mind and spirit.

However, it is advisable to consult your doctor about any exercise routine you undertake during pregnancy.

Pre-pregnancy care:At the physical level special attention must be paid for the mother-to-be on the stomach muscles, spine, back, pelvis, reproductive organs. Before conception the woman must incorporate a routine of at least 45 minutes to an hour of Yoga for 3 to 4 days a week.

Pawanmukta asana series is simple set of asanas but very beneficial for a woman right from pre-to-post conception period. These simple practices exercise all joints, free blockages in blood flow and keep the muscles toned as well as relaxed. These limbering up asanas keep the lady in good shape to take the increasing weight of the body. It also frees the hip joint, shoulder joint  and  neck area, where stress and tension tend to accumulate.

Some simple asanas for the stomach muscles and back are also necessary to keep these two vital areas of the body fit for carryng the extra weight and also to help the mother during labour.

 Pranayama, moola bandha practiced throughout pregnancy will greatly enhance the health, well being of both the mother and the child.

Here are some simple set of practices a pregnant lady may undertake at the various stages of her pregnancy.

In the first four months of pregnancy:

1.     Pawanmuktasana series ( Please refer to article on Body Limbering up Asanas in this blog for details on how to do them )

2.     Vayu nishkasana:

3.     Uthanasana

4.     Marjari asana

5.     Kandharasana

6.     Shavasna

Pranayama Practice:

7.     Nadi shodan

8.     Anulom-Vilom

9.     sheetali

10.  sheetkari

Moolabandha may be practiced after Pranayama.

 ( A combination 3-4 pranayama may be done everyday).

It is recommended that pranayama be done in padmasana, ardha padmasana, sukhasana. These take care of circulation problems in the legs and swelling of legs in later months which happens from long periods of sitting on chairs.

Pranayama has immense value both for the mother and child. In the first three months the developing child has no pranic supply of its own. At the end of the third month, the panchpranas ( prana, apana, udyana, samana and vyana) all start in the child’s body and it is therefore endowed by his own pranic resources.

From fifth month onward:

All the exercises from one to six mentioned for the first four months of pregnancy can be continued. Pranayama must also be continued to keep up the flow of vital prana and energy. Also, as the pregnancy advances, the uterus pushes against the abdomen and finally the diaphragm, causing a sensation of shortness of breath. Hence, Pranayama and especially yogic breathing must be practiced regularly.

With advancing pregnancy one can easily keep up the pawanmukta asana series and Pranayama. All other asanas may be done only under the supervision of a Master.

A healthy body is conducive to a healthy mind. The mental and emotional state of a mother has direct impact on the child in the womb. For the health of the world at large, it is imperative that every parent-to-be undertakes the responsibility to get themselves into a Yoga regime.

For those who are wanting to design a child as an intelligent, spiritual, Rajasic ( like Sports etc) must be lucky to have the guidance of a Spiritual Master who can give an entire programme of mantra, yoga, dhyan, herbs etc. The Scriptures and  Spiritual history of India is full of stories and instances of Spiritual Masters willing a soul as they wish it to be by guiding the couple through it all.
It is up to the parents how much of themselves they are willing to give to the process of bringing a new soul into the world.