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The earliest written reference to Yoga comes from the Sanskrit hymns of the Aryan people, known as the Vedas from around 3000 BC. The word Yoga comes from the Sanskrit word Yug which literally means to yoke, unite or join.
Yoga is the science of living, a system of physical, emotional and mental training which works at all levels to unite body, mind, and spirit and serves to develop the full potential within every human being.
Yoga is an ancient, holistic system of harmonising body mind heart and spirit, providing a means to improved health emotional balance and enhanced mental clarity.
According to Desikachar "India's great gift to humanity is an accessible, practical approach to an enduring state of happiness. This is the gift of Yoga. It is a gift offered to individuals of all beliefs, denied to none who wish to receive it"
( T.K.V. Desikachar, 'Health Healing and Beyond' 1998, p197 ).
Our physical body is meant to move and exercise. If our lifestyle does not provide natural motion of muscles and joints then disease and discomfort will ensue with time.
Yoga postures (Asanas) work systematically on all parts of the body encouraging relaxation, flexibility and strength in a completely gentle and non strenuous way. Asanas help to bring the body in to balance by improving posture and helping to release some of the accumulated tension and stiffness in the muscles and joints.
The physical benefits of yoga postures can transform a woman's experience of pregnancy from a time of weakness, discomfort and indisposition to one in which she feels healthy and strong. Problems such as tiredness, back pain, anxiety and many other common complaints of pregnancy may be eased by practicing yoga and often they may disappear altogether.
Yoga breathing techniques are important not only for supplying the body with fresh oxygen and strengthening the lungs but they also have a direct affect on the brain and emotions, balancing the nervous system and enhancing our awareness of the more subtle energies and aspects of our being.
In yoga we have a saying, "where the breath goes, the mind will follow." The breath is the key to focusing the mind cultivating positive breathing patterns during pregnancy will increase the body's vitality, boost the immune system and create inner calm. With proper breathing Pranayama women can learn to control anxiety, insomnia and lethargy.
Awareness of the breath and its natural flow and rhythm is a valuable tool for women during pregnancy and childbirth. With breath awareness in the Yoga postures a pregnant woman will learn to let go and release the sensations of stiffness as their muscles lengthen and stretch. Awareness of breath during childbirth helps women to feel centred and for many this is a deeply effective way to stay calm and grounded through the most stormy and turbulent contraction.
A deep yoga relaxation releases physical, mental and emotional tensions resting the whole system. This will often leave you feeling as refreshed and revitalised as you would after a few hours sleep. With practice this will be carried over into all your activities teaching you to conserve your energy and let go of worries or fears.
Deeply relaxing all the muscle in the body fully rejuvenates the nervous system and leads to a deep sense of inner peace.
Relaxation should be practiced regularly during pregnancy to help a woman cope well with the extra demands upon her body, mind and emotions during this transition from womanhood to motherhood. If a woman has learned how to relax during pregnancy then she will instinctively use these techniques during childbirth and beyond.
Besides being responsible for building our physical body, the foods we eat profoundly affect our minds. Eating a healthy balanced diet during pregnancy will ensure the baby receives all the body building requirements needed for a good start in life without draining the mother. It will also help the mother’s body deal with all the hormonal and physical changes of pregnancy.
A proper diet is one that is nourishing and well balanced based on natural foods. This keeps the body light and supple and the mind calm, giving a high resistance to disease.
According to the Bhagavad Gita, "Men who are pure like food which is pure: which gives health, mental power, strength and long life; which has taste, is soothing and nourishing, and which makes glad the heart of man" ( Bhagavad Gita,1962, p76 ).
Pregnancy can enhance sensitivity, awareness, self knowledge and intuition, all of which are developed through Yoga to become valuable tools in preparing for meditation. The mother to be has the opportunity to deeply bond with her baby during the still quiet times of meditation practice.
Yoga gives us the inner strength to help us to cope well with the constant challenges and changes that life throws our way. Yoga encourages us to live in the present moment, to go with the flow of life accepting and even welcoming challengers to our maps of reality.
Cultivating positive and creative thoughts will contribute to vibrant health and a peaceful joyful mind.
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