Postpartum yoga is a great way to reconnect with your body. It’s one of the easiest exercises you can do to feel better and regain strength and stability.
If you feel like your muscles are no longer as strong, but prefer a simple workout, postpartum yoga can do wonders for your body and overall health. You’re just starting to learn about your new, postpartum body and all the wonderful things it can do.
With these tips and exercises, you’ll be on the right path to feel in touch with your body again.
It’s recommended that you wait at least 6 weeks postpartum before starting your exercise routine. At 6 weeks postpartum, you’ll most likely be seen by your doctor or gynecologist and assessed.
During this exam, your doctor will either clear you for working out or recommend you wait a bit longer to be safe.
The type of pregnancy and delivery you had are the major determinants for deciding on when you can start being active, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).
In general, if you had a healthy pregnancy and delivery, you can begin exercising as soon as 6 weeks postpartum.
If you had a cesarean section or other issues like diastasis recti or severe vaginal tears, you’ll need to consult with your doctor to figure out when it’s safe to resume exercising. Usually, you’ll have to wait a few weeks more before starting an exercise routine again, so take advantage of some guilt-free rest, rehabilitation, and relaxation.
Postpartum yoga has immense benefits not only for your body but also for your mind. A combination of slow, calm exercises and breathing techniques can help you feel more in touch with your new body.
Yoga is well-known for its stress-relieving and relaxing properties. Multiple studies have indicated that it can reduce cortisol, the key stress hormone, release
One research followed 24 women who described themselves as emotionally upset to see how effective yoga is in reducing stress. After a 3-month long yoga program, they had significantly reduced levels of cortisol, a stress hormone, and felt calmer, less anxious, and overall better.
To increase flexibility and balance, many people incorporate yoga into their workout programs.
This effect is backed up by a lot of research, which shows that it can improve performance by using certain postures that emphasize flexibility and balance, and might also help improve your balance and mobility, according to a 2013 study.
For individuals trying to improve their performance by developing flexibility and balance, doing 15–30 minutes of yoga per day might make a major impact.
In patients with lower back discomfort, yoga is just as effective as basic stretching at relieving pain and increasing mobility. It is recommended as first-line therapy for persistent low back pain by the American College of Physicians and can also benefit new moms after birth.
During pregnancy, your abdominal muscles stretch to accommodate the growing uterus and the baby.
After birth, it’s not uncommon to feel as if your abs are no longer holding in your body as they did.
This can be due to their inactivity during pregnancy, or a condition called diastasis recti which means the muscles have separated in the middle. Postpartum yoga can help you strengthen these muscles in a gentle way that is safe and enjoyable.
Practicing postpartum yoga regularly can be of great help in reducing your stress levels, which, as a result, contributes to heart health. Yoga can also help with some of the conditions that have an effect on heart diseases, including high blood pressure and excess weight.
When starting your postpartum yoga routine, it’s important to know what you’ll need.
Make sure to use comfortable, non-restricting clothes when working out. This can help prevent chafing and irritation caused by friction from the seams. This is very important if you had a caesarian section as you should always protect the wound.
Choose whatever you feel the most comfortable in and enjoy!
A yoga mat is one thing you cannot practice without. Besides being pretty, a yoga mat is here to ensure you don’t slip while practicing yoga, and provide comfort and cushioning where you need it most—your wrists, ankles, and knees.
Staying hydrated is one of the most important things you need to do after birth, but especially when exercising. Having a good water bottle is a great step to ensuring you’re drinking enough during the day, and while practicing yoga.
If you have diastasis recti or have had a c-section, you should avoid it.
Even though this exercise can help strengthen your lower back, it may also put excessive stress on the abdomen, and the incision, exacerbating any discomfort you may be experiencing and preventing the scar from healing properly.
If you have diastasis recti or have had a c-section, you should avoid it.
Twisting stretches exert strain on the stomach and internal organs. They should be avoided until your incision and diastasis recti have healed fully.
Upper-body twists, for example, the twisted triangle position, can place a lot of strain on your abdominal wall and pelvic floor, which are already sensitive. As a result, the separation of the abdominal muscles may deepen.
If you experienced any vaginal tearing, you should avoid it.
If your wound isn’t entirely healed, the splits are a no-no since they might reopen the wound. They also lengthen the lower body and target the hip flexors and hamstrings. These muscle groups are unaffected by a c-section or a tear, but your body is still recuperating after birth, so wait for the split and do sitting leg stretches instead.
Child’s Pose is a gentle stretch for the back, hips, thighs, and ankles. It can help relieve back pain from crouching to change your baby’s diaper, breastfeeding, or even from carrying the baby!
Hold this pose for 60 seconds, be mindful of your breathing, and continue to the next.
The goal of the chest breath is to extend the rib cage to the sides, front, and back. This action directs air into the lungs’ middle lobes, making it easier to breathe. Proper breathing technique can help alleviate the headaches and make you feel more awake.
Take 10 to 15 breaths and proceed to the next pose.
This pose gently stretches your upper abdomen and strengthens the back and legs. Be gentle when doing this exercise and stop if you feel any discomfort.
Hold this pose for 60 seconds, be mindful of your breathing, and continue to the next.
The goal of this pose is to promote mobility in the chest and abdomen area and reduce the feeling of tightness. This is very beneficial for all moms who spend a lot of time crouched as it can reduce the tension.
Hold this pose for 60 seconds, be mindful of your breathing, and continue to the next.
Begin on your hands and knees. Knees are just below your hips and hands below your shoulders. Exhale pushing your back upwards, stretching the entire spine below the shoulders, head tucked to your chest. Inhale lowering your back and pushing your stomach towards the floor, your head is facing straight in front of you.
Hold each pose for a few moments. Repeat 10 times
Warrior Position is a standing yoga pose that improves concentration, strength, and stability. This fundamental posture stretches the front side of the body and is beneficial for leg, core, and back strength. You’ll soon see how holding and carrying your baby will get easier!
Hold this pose for 60 seconds, be mindful of your breathing, and continue to the next.
This postpartum yoga pose improves posture, strengthens your core and glutes, and teaches you how to keep your shoulders stable. There are many variants of this exercise, but they all start with the same fundamental stance: lying on your back with your feet flat on the mat, knees bent, and pelvis raised.
Hold this pose for 60 seconds, be mindful of your breathing, and continue to the next.
The Happy Baby Pose stretches the inner thighs, hamstrings, and groin while also releasing the hips and back, increasing flexibility and mobility. This will help you release the stiffness from sitting and carrying your baby.
Hold this pose for 60 seconds, be mindful of your breathing, and continue to the next.
This pose helps reduce the tension in your neck, shoulders, and upper back. It’s especially beneficial for breastfeeding moms as they usually spend more time in a crouched position.
Hold each side for 60 seconds and continue to the next.
A final relaxation pose is a must at the end of every yoga practice.
Corpse Stance is a resting pose, however, it isn’t the same as sleeping. During the five to ten minutes you spend in ultimate relaxation, strive to be present and attentive.
Breathing is one of the most important parts of yoga. Proper breathing will help you relax and perform each pose. Breathing properly in yoga can actually help you avoid injury by keeping your core stable and reduce diastasis.
No progress happens overnight. Make sure to do each exercise slowly and take your time to enjoy it. If you feel any discomfort or pain, stop immediately and rest.
When you’re a new mom, it can be hard to focus on yourself and remember to drink enough water. Remember to take this time and focus on proper water intake and always keep a water bottle on your side, it will remind you to take a sip, even when you forget!
Postpartum yoga is a great way to reconnect with your body. If you feel like your muscles are no longer as strong, but prefer a simple workout, postpartum yoga can do wonders for your body and overall health.
Practicing postpartum yoga regularly can be of great help in reducing your stress levels, which, as a result, contributes to heart health.
In case you had a cesarean section or other issues like diastasis recti or severe vaginal tears, you’ll need to consult with your doctor to figure out when it’s safe to resume exercising
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