Exercise may be one of the very last things on your mind if you’re pregnant, especially if you’re having to cope with morning sickness or other first trimester complaints. However, keeping fit and active may help you to feel good during your pregnancy and after your baby is born.
Yoga is renowned for its mind-body benefits. It’s no surprise why there are tonnes of prenatal yoga classes at gyms – as well as studios – across the country. In addition, there are also prenatal yoga videos online. That being said, experts generally don’t recommend hot yoga during pregnancy.
Hot yoga is a more active form of yoga. It involves standard yoga postures in rooms which are heated to 37 – 40 degrees Celsius. Sometimes the room will have a humidity of 40%. This type of yoga involves Bikram-style, as well as any vinyasa or “flow” class which takes place in a heated room.
Heat And Pregnancy Could Be Dangerous
Heat and pregnancy may be a dangerous combination, particularly in the early weeks when your baby is just forming. In addition, the added heat may affect your body differently with all the changes which you’re experiencing, such as increased blood flow as well as hormones).
That said, there could be some exceptions, particularly if you’re used to this form of exercise and have practised it for years. Nevertheless, it’s a question to bring up with your obstetrician to ensure you’re on the same page when it comes down to the definition of “hot” (as well as any other health concerns you may have).
Don’t Do Hot Yoga If You’ve Never Done It Before
This is an exceptionally important rule of thumb for expecting mothers when it comes to any type of fitness. When you’re pregnant, make sure that you stick to what you know and avoid including any new, vigorous formats of exercise.
Let’s say that you are a consistent runner and you find out that you are ten weeks pregnant. Perhaps you may choose to add in prenatal yoga or – alternatively – more daily walks.
However, you almost certainly wouldn’t sign up for a CrossFit class series or include sprint intervals in each run? Common sense says yes, and your body does, too. The same is very true for hot yoga. If you’ve never taken a hot yoga class, save it for after your give birth.
What Are The Benefits Of Being Physically Fit During Your Pregnancy?
There are numerous benefits to exercise during your pregnancy. Along with keeping your overall fitness and assisting with promoting a healthy weight during pregnancy, being active may assist you shed the kilograms faster after your baby is born.
Other benefits are that it:
- Helps with aches and pains, such as back pain,
- Promotes good digestion and eases constipation,
- Reduces the risk of potential health issues, including preeclampsia as well as gestational diabetes,
- Reduces your chances of delivering via caesarean section (which is also known as a C-section). Although, note that sometimes this is not avoidable, and
- Makes sure that your cardiovascular system (heart and blood vessels) is kept strong.
Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy
If you want to become a yoga instructor, then you need to do our Yoga Instructor Course. Follow this link in order to find out more and to register.