Yoga in pregnancy - why and how?

My guest for this blog is yoga teacher Rebecca Wilson from Yoga Will Save the World. We worked together when Rebs was leading the yoga class and the meditation session in the new Ready Steady Mums pregnancy exercise DVD -"Proper Exercise in Pregnancy".



Who would have thought a day of filming at 26 weeks pregnant could be relaxing and fun? With Rebs it was. She's the best yoga teacher I have ever had, and especially amazing at prenatal yoga. 

Rebecca was born and brought up in Hong Kong, she started yoga there in 1999 at the age of 19, in 2002 she began teaching at a studio in Paris, in 2009 she received her 500 hour Yoga Alliance certificate. She has taught in Paris, Crete, Australia and now is teaching in SW London. She also runs an online yoga gift shop.

Katy: Why do you love yoga so much?
Rebs: It makes me feel strong and light in my body and it makes me feel happy.

What got you into yoga?
Depression. My mum suggested yoga. I was very flexible but very weak when I started. When you start to find strength in your yoga practice you begin to find strength in your mind.

What are the benefits of yoga in pregnancy?
There are so many benefits. It is wonderful to practice yoga when you are pregnant and so connected to your body. Yoga helps to calm the mind, strengthen the body and release any lower back pains. The style of yoga I practice is a moving meditation, you move from one pose to another synchronising movement with breath. Your body and mind feel great afterwards.

How does yoga complement other forms of exercise?
Yoga works to develop deep core muscles. The muscles that mean you can sit and stand gracefully and with ease. Cardiovascular exercises help to strengthen your movement muscles. The ones that make you walk, swim and skip. Have a balance of the two is a great way to keep the body healthy. Yoga is also know to help regulate your metabolism and while it connects body and mind you feel you want to eat the right things and the right quantities.

Which yoga poses and moves are best for new mums and why?
After giving birth yoga is best used to regain strength in both core and posture. When you spend a lot of time holding and breast feeding yoga is also great at giving some release to sore and rounded shoulders.

What is the role of meditation in yoga and how can it help stay calm as a new mum?
During a yoga practice you are working to connect your mind with both body and breath. You are trying to arrive in the moment. We spend a lot of time thinking about the past and the future. We rarely sit and be present. Life is hectic as a mother. It is important to find this mental peace and space for your sanity every now and again. You don't have to practice yoga, just sitting and focusing on your breath is enough.

How can you set up for a good yoga session at home?
The most difficult part of yoga is following up the intention to actually do it. Find a time in your day and protect it. It may help to find a friend to do a practice with, it may help you feel more committed. All you need is a space. It is impossible to find a space that is completely silent, try to let noises fade to the background and keep drawing the focus back to the breath if you are easily distracted.


Last words…
I hear so many people saying that they are too inflexible to do yoga, it’s like saying you’re too dirty to take a bath. Yoga is also not only about flexibility, pre and post-natal yoga is very much about feeling and finding strength too.

When you practice yoga listen to your body, you are your best teacher, if anything feels wrong then stop. Find the poses your body loves or that challenge you and you will develop a great practice.
Rebecca Wilson
www.yogawillsavetheworld.com