Maintaining oxygen capacity during pregnancy
Many women fear that pregnancy means a reduction in oxygen capacity as they struggle to find exercises suited to their changing shapes.
However, yoga instructor Lisa Sanfililppo believes yoga can be beneficial for mums-to-be as it balances their mind and body, as well as sculpting their shape.
She said: "Yoga can be an essential part of the picture for mums-to-be that want to look and feel great.
"Yoga combined with some cardiovascular exercises like swimming - or whatever an expectant mum enjoys doing - is a great way to stay in shape."
The expert argued that the strengthening classes can help women adapt to the ever-changing state of their bodies as it encourages them to listen to its needs and helps with aches and pains caused by pregnancy.
Stretching, breathing and strengthening are all integral to yoga and they help keep the circulation moving, so pregnant women feel healthy.
When it comes to weight management, the combination of yoga and swimming will ensure your body is prepared for resuming its usual gym regime after birth, so you can lose those extra inches quickly.
Ms Sanfilippo said: "[Yoga] can be really empowering to women as a way to move through all the changes in the body and mental state, keeping a sense of balance and calm."
Celebrity mum Sienna Miller recently revealed she likes to indulge in some yoga as gym workouts are not really her thing.
The 30-year-old actress told Marie Claire magazine that her mother began one of the first yoga schools in London in the 70s.
She added: "I should probably use her expertise as I have a really bad posture. But I think I'd probably kill her if she tried to tell me to sit up straight!"
After birth, women can re-strengthen their core through pelvic floor muscles that will help tone the abdominals.
Posted by Jenny Richards
29/05/2012 14:00:22
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