Mindful Mum: Pregnancy Yoga

Mindful Mum: Pregnancy Yoga

---

I asked Naomi from ‘yogababe’ to guest blog on my website about mindful mum pregnancy yoga. I wanted to give some mindful support from an expert for ‘mums to be’ and ‘new mums’.

---

The only definite thing about being a mother motherhood is that nothing is definite – all there is is change and transition!

None more so than in the last few months. So maybe we should stop the typical thinking about getting ‘back to normal’ or to our former selves or other peoples’ sense of normal? Normal what anyway? Our lives constantly evolve, our bodies, our minds change and our values may totally shift. Maybe we need to cultivate more leeway and put more effort into finding our current selves instead?

When you become a mother you invariably have to hit the road running, conjuring up the ability to cope with the huge life transition, caring for a little person, whilst navigating relationships and jobs – we often forget ourselves. Amazing as it is, it is rarely easy! 

“Be kind to yourself and try to understand and meet your needs right now. Do you know what you need?”  

As your sense of normal changes, what if you cut yourself some slack and stopped trying to return to an old set of ‘normal’ values? Stop setting impossible goals and pressuring yourself. You are still most definitely You. Be curious. Be kind to yourself and try to understand and meet your needs right now. Do you know what you need?  

Yoga tips for a Mindful Mum

---

1. Padma mudra with Golden Thread Breath
   This mothering lotus gesture connects in with the heart and the universal Mother, whilst the Golden Thread Breath helps release anxieties & fear and bring focus to the mind. Sit comfortably, relax shoulders/neck. Become aware of the breath. Hold hands together at heart height, open up fingers like the petals of the lotus flower, connecting little fingers, thumbs, base. Gaze into the hands. Then, separate & soften lips a fraction. Inhale gently through your nose, exhale, blow your breath out gently through the lips so that each out breath breath lengthens. ‘Let go’ on your out-breath. Feel the support of womankind around you.
2. Baddha konasana – bound ankle posture (butterfly)
   This is great for the pelvic muscles, bringing energy and fresh blood to pelvis & organs. Try sitting on a cushion if you have a low back ache. Don’t do this one if you have/had SPD. Put cushions under your knees if it pulls in the groin. Try the feet further away. Try with them close in – note the difference. Try making pelvic circles. Try a forward bend.
3. Cakki chalasana
   Energising and stimulating. Sit on a cushion if you wish. Stretch legs wide, spread toes, interlace fingers. Inhale and sit tall, exhale to circle arms clockwise 9 times. Interlace fingers other way, inhale and sit tall, exhale to circle arms anti-clockwise 9 times.
4. Supreme goddess
   Constructive rest – a most delicious posture that allows everything to release. Build a cushion mountain behind your back and under knees, support arms too if you wish. Focus on each out-breath and let go of tension (you could gently blow out through the lips if you wish) Remain for at least 5 minutes!
5. Ahimsa
   this Yogic practice often translates as non-violence, but its more about cultivating kindness & compassion for all living things, starting with yourself. Notice your thoughts, think before you speak and do. Kindness & compassion starts to have a rippling effect just like The Pig of Happiness (if you have ever read that) and then ahimsa becomes one big loving hug.

---

---