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Surya Namaskar during pregnancy

Last post 12-11-2008 3:24 PM by Pippa P. 2 replies.
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  • 11-30-2008 4:21 PM

    Surya Namaskar during pregnancy

    Hi

    I'd be interested to hear people's opinions about practising Surya Namaskar during 2nd and 3rd trimester.  My BWY Foundation teacher has set us SN for our home practice this month, which I am very keen to follow.   However, whilst reading the Bihar School of Yoga's book on SN I see that they recommend that SN is only practised to the start of the 12th week of pregnancy and is then stopped until 40 days after childbirth.

    * Does anyone have any opinions about this?

    * Where can I find out more information about whether SN is advisable to do in pregnancy?

    * Does anyone know of any modifications that make SN safe for 2nd trimester?

    * Does anyone have any favourite books on yoga in pregnancy they would like to recommend?

    I really look forward to reading any advice anyone may have!

    Thanks & Oms!

    Pippa

  • 12-02-2008 3:38 AM In reply to

    • Liz Brown
    • Top 50 Contributor
    • Joined on 01-05-2008
    • Buckinghamshire

    Re: Surya Namaskar during pregnancy

    Hi Pippa

    What a wonderful opportunity to look at SN from this perspective! 

    I can tell you what I think based on my experience as a yoga teacher, a pregnant woman and a perinatal yoga teacher (in that order)!

    Firstly, practically speaking, you'd want to modify SN to make it possible/comfortable/safe for women in mid/late pregnancy.  The strong initial back extension could overarch the lower back which is already under strain, so you might want to lift 'up' rather than 'back'.  Uttanasana would not be possible without the legs apart to allow for the bump.  Ditto for the step back/lunge, so you'd want the upper body more upright.  Plank and dog would be okay for a woman who had done yoga before.  However despite inversions such as dog being okay for women who have done them before, I'd ask why late in pregnancy you'd want to encourage the baby away from being head down in the pelvis, unless of course the baby was breech and you were hoping to turn it. 

    Secondly, are you trying to apply the sequence to the pregnant lady, or are you trying to find movements which are most helpful to a woman during pregnancy?  What I'm saying is that there might be more beneficial movements such as various movements from table top position which give optimum foetal positioning for baby and takes the pressure off the woman's spine, or pelvic floor exercises to give both strength and flexibility to the pelvic floor for pregnancy, birthing and post natally.  There are many yoga practices that are particuarly useful for a pregnant lady, which you'd have to apply based upon that individuals needs at that time.

    So, taking into consideration; previous yoga practice, stage of pregnancy, needs as a pregnant woman and needs as an individual, you could decide whether to modify SN or do something else entirely. 

    Here's a link to a modified SN, which would be suitable if you had previous yoga experience:  http://www.shaktiyoga.ca/YogaPoses/PrenatalSunSalutation.aspx

    Birthlight teachers have a very gentle SN sequence suitable for all pregnant ladies which involves an initial stretch up, coming to all fours safely with the weight in both feet/hands, cat rolls, one foot up opening circles and coming back to standing safely with the weight in both feet.  However there might be a lot of other things I could do with a pregnant lady which might be more beneficial. 

    I hope this helps!

    Shanti

    Liz.

  • 12-11-2008 3:24 PM In reply to

    Re: Surya Namaskar during pregnancy

     Hi Liz

    Thanks so much for your really interesting reply.  

    Initially I am trying to fit the sequence to a pregnant lady, so that I can share in the class experience (SN was set as 'homework' for my Foundation class).  However, as you suggest, I am now also trying to learn more about how yoga can help with the pregnancy and birth - so that I can try to develop a practice that respects my Foundation course and also help me at the same time!

    Thanks once again 

    Oms

    Pippa 

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