Om for Mom Prenatal Yoga sessions are designed to give expectant moms a place to relax and enjoy working out, to build strength and focus, and to connect for one a hour a day with themselves, baby, and their changing bodies. While prenatal yoga has long been recognized as an effective way to ease pregnancy discomforts, I find that it practicing prenatal yoga alongside other expectant mothers offers equally powerful intangible benefits that you won't get with a prenatal yoga DVD or alone at the gym.
Comfort in Numbers
Late into my pregnancy, I clearly recall garnering stares and gawks from passerby's and fellow gym goers. Some were a positive "you go, girl". Others were more along the lines of "what a crazy psychopath." At any rate, it made me feel uncomfortable. When you're pregnant, whether you relish the attention or not, perfect strangers feel like it's perfectly acceptable to comment on your size, shape and anything else that comes to mind. Om for Mom prenatal yoga surrounds you with other expectant moms (and a teacher who has been there!) Take comfort in the fact that during Om for Mom class, no one is judging you, or your body.
Appreciate yourself
Along those same lines, prenatal yoga is a great time to be forgiving of yourself in pregnancy. Particularly if you worked out before getting pregnant, it's easy to beat yourself up mentally as you lose your ability to do what you once could when your body expands. Yoga is all about appreciating the moment for the here and now, and letting go of judgments--especially within yourself. Take an hour and appreciate that your body is doing an incredible job for nine months--on top of that, it's allowing you to exercise it and build strength and flexibility. Go with the moment and appreciate everyday your body is up for an hour (or even ten minutes) or prenatal yoga.
Find support
One the most amazing things about Om for Mom prenatal yoga is that if you plan to stay in the Columbus, OH area for the long haul, you might see these women for the rest of your life! Your kids could very well attend the same daycares and schools. Take some time to introduce yourself to your prenatal yoga "mat neighbor"--you'll appreciate knowing someone who is literally, walking in your shoes, at the same times in life.
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Comfort in Numbers
Late into my pregnancy, I clearly recall garnering stares and gawks from passerby's and fellow gym goers. Some were a positive "you go, girl". Others were more along the lines of "what a crazy psychopath." At any rate, it made me feel uncomfortable. When you're pregnant, whether you relish the attention or not, perfect strangers feel like it's perfectly acceptable to comment on your size, shape and anything else that comes to mind. Om for Mom prenatal yoga surrounds you with other expectant moms (and a teacher who has been there!) Take comfort in the fact that during Om for Mom class, no one is judging you, or your body.
Appreciate yourself
Along those same lines, prenatal yoga is a great time to be forgiving of yourself in pregnancy. Particularly if you worked out before getting pregnant, it's easy to beat yourself up mentally as you lose your ability to do what you once could when your body expands. Yoga is all about appreciating the moment for the here and now, and letting go of judgments--especially within yourself. Take an hour and appreciate that your body is doing an incredible job for nine months--on top of that, it's allowing you to exercise it and build strength and flexibility. Go with the moment and appreciate everyday your body is up for an hour (or even ten minutes) or prenatal yoga.
Find support
One the most amazing things about Om for Mom prenatal yoga is that if you plan to stay in the Columbus, OH area for the long haul, you might see these women for the rest of your life! Your kids could very well attend the same daycares and schools. Take some time to introduce yourself to your prenatal yoga "mat neighbor"--you'll appreciate knowing someone who is literally, walking in your shoes, at the same times in life.
RELATED ARTICLES
Prenatal Yoga and Walking Routine for Non-Gym Rats
Prenatal Yoga and Heartburn
