Prenatal yoga is designed specifically for expectant mothers as a form of exercise that improves strength and provides relief from stress. Practicing prenatal yoga is often available through some fitness centers or community classes, but using a DVD at home also offers many of the same benefits. Some women, such as those who may have difficulty attending class or those who want to work at their own pace, find that using prenatal yoga DVDs are an excellent fitness option.
Yoga Journal
Instructor Kristin Eykel promotes safe yoga practices in the "Yoga Journal" DVD that are specifically designed for expecting mothers. Eykel is a Kundalini yoga instructor who implements the practices of meditation, yoga positioning and guided imagery to increase flexibility and to reduce stress and discomfort. This DVD includes additional information about prenatal yoga and Lamaze to help mothers prepare for labor and delivery, as well as post-partum exercises as part of the process of healing after childbirth.
Prenatal Plus
The Prenatal Plus DVD called Yoga for Pregnancy is created by Debra Geymayr, a yoga instructor in Miami who specializes in prenatal training. The DVD was designed to be for use at home for those who cannot attend Geymayr's classes. The DVD works to promote strength for expecting mothers and practices poses to help with some pregnancy discomforts such as leg cramps and back pain. It is designed with different stages, depending on trimester, slowing down some moves for women who are further along in pregnancy. Geymayr also promotes relaxation and positive meditation through the DVD to help mothers mentally prepare for labor and delivery.
A Labour of Love
A Labour of Love is a 65 minute video from Irish yoga instructor Sighle McDonnell. Through the video, McDonnell teaches participants five different specialty areas for yoga practice during pregnancy. Working with another yoga practitioner who is pregnant, McDonnell demonstrates the work of breathing, floor postures, positions for sitting and standing, and relaxation exercises. The DVD also includes written instructions for each posture to ensure the safety of all participants.
Fit by Sara
Sara Holliday, a fitness and yoga instructor specializing in prenatal yoga, offers a pregnancy yoga DVD series called Prenatal Yoga. The series contains three different DVDs -- each one is designed for each trimester. Taking into consideration the body changes that occur during pregnancy, as well as creating modifications for balance, the series works through muscle strengthening exercises to increase tone and flexibility. Participants can improve overall posture and learn the techniques of stress reduction. The imagery techniques promote a bond between the expectant mother and her baby.
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