Namaste

Welcome to the best thing to ever happen to pregnancy.

Hands down the best money spent thus far has been my prenatal yoga classes. I started these when I was about 18 weeks pregnant and have been going to class twice a week, every week. What a difference it makes if I miss a class! I hate it! I feel like I am more tight and achy when I don't go. What I am saying is, if you are pregnant, do your body good and get yourself a yoga membership or go to classes at your gym or buy some dvds. OR if you're lucky and have a friend who teaches yoga, have them show you some good moves and do them in the comfort of your own home. I do have to say, half the fun of going to the class for me is chatting with all the other pregnant women who are experiencing the same pregnancy woes that you are. Everyone just gets each other and its like a little community of pregnant women. I seriously love it. There are a few moves though that you could definitely do on your own if your not up to spending the $$$. Here's a few:

Modified downward dog: Stand with feet under hips and arms stretched out in front of you, holding  on to the back of a sturdy chair (couch, counter, wall) Slowly bring your torso down until your upper body is in a line from your head to your hips, parallel to the floor. With feet firmly on floor, extend hips slightly away from the chair to increase stretch.

Hamstring relaxer: Turn to face chair, and put right heel on seat. Bend your body forward as far as you can comfortably go, reaching hands as far down your leg as you can. Be sure to keep your back flat. After 5 to 8 breaths, switch sides.

Modified pigeon pose: Sit in chair, and place right foot over left knee so that your right shin is parallel to floor. With one hand on your knee and one hand on your ankle, lean forward as far as you can comfortably go while keeping your back flat. After 5 to 8 breaths, switch sides.

Squats: Either sit in a squat with legs spread or (if you're feeling mobile) do reps of 10 squats with a break in between. This helps lower back pain and it is said to help with labor.

Child's pose: with knees spread apart and toes touching, bring yourself into child's pose leaving room for the belly and elevating your upper body with stacked blankets. This so relaxing and one of my favorites.

**Have at least 3 blankets available for you to use when you need some comfort or help holding up your leg, upper body, etc. Also, drink lotsssss of water. And stay close to a bathroom...you know how us pregnant women get;)