Definitely the Forum's Oddest Member

[ScottR]

Well, I think I qualify for this title but I'd like to point out that it's my membership that is unusual and not me as a person

My name is Scott and I'm a Yoga Teacher (and also an Internet addict) in Scotland. Over the past few months I've developed an interest in the applications of Yoga to help through the whole experience of pregnancy, childbirth and thereafter. I feel it really has a lot to offer to make this wonderful experience even more special. My avatar photo is me and my "baby" (Beth - now 9 years old) doing Yoga on the beach (on a sunny day in Scotland would you believe).

I do a lot of research for my private students, and tend to join forums relating to specific aspects of each students' lives to get information first hand from those experiencing similar circumstances. Of course most information comes from the students, but information from others does help me in developing a therapeutic application of Yoga.

I was wondering if you ladies might allow me to hang around in here, making posts when I have questions that I think you can help with. In return, perhaps I can help with queries about Yoga (see there have been a few) and other health issues where I might be able to advise a solution.

Take care,

Scott

 

[lauramumof2]

Hiya Scott,
Ive ust had my 2nd baby and found the breathing we were taught in yoga classes really helped during labour. Because that part of the class had been about shutting off and relaxing I found I was able to carry that through to the labour room. I was not in labour for a while and never epxerienced the real bad pain as I was whisked away for a section 1st time but I just thought I would share with you my experience of yoga and pregnancy.

Im in Scotland too

 

[ScottR]

Hi Laura

That's great, I actually live in Kilmarnock so you're not too far away.

Did you go to a specialist Yoga for Pregnancy class nearby, or were you continuing an existing Yoga practice? I am very interested in hearing all about everyone's experiences with Yoga in pregnancy (and after), what worked, what didn't, and so on...

Cheers,

Scott

 

[Jo]

Hiya Scott and welcome to the forum

I've never done yoga, i did try with a DVD my DD got me but i ended up throwing the remote at the telly

 

[ScottR]

Hi Jo

I would definitely say that Yoga POSTURES are one of those things you should try to pick up by watching a DVD or reading a book as some try. There's a lot to be said for having an experienced teacher there to help you "get it right", especially during pregnancy.

It's quite easy to get "the wrong idea" of what Yoga is all about - some people seem to think it's about getting into body shapes that are the same as those pictured on glossy mags. Yoga isn't really about that, it's only the form that some of the methods take - if you see someone in a perfect posture on a mag or DVD then they are the Yoga equivalent of Olympic athletes as far as how good they are at doing the posture (or Asana as we call them). There are many that I as a Yoga teacher cannot do, but that never stops me from an effective Yoga practice.

Yet, even when someone looks perfect you can never say that they are actually doing Yoga - look at what acrobats and controtionists can do, but that is not Yoga. Yoga is a mental discipline, it just so happens the best way for many people to slow down their minds is to use their body. So we use strange and unusual positions for the body to distract the mind from all its worries, teach it to take a step back and not think or worry so much, and gain an inner connection with how that body is functioning at the same time. We also use breathing and meditative techniques, which can be even more powerful and direct for some people.

So if you ever think to yourself "I can't DO Yoga" then you are absolutely right. You cannot DO it because Yoga isn't about DOing it's about BEing (kind of like DOing pregnancy - you can't, you can only BE pregnant). Does that make sense?

Here's a simple Yoga exercise for you, one that might help if you are wound up (which I believe can happens sometimes during pregnancy ). Find a comfortable seated position, one that you will be happy in for several minutes. Make sure you won't be disturbed, try to find a quiet place for a few minutes.

Close your eyes, which helps bring your attention inside the body. Now, without trying to change your breathing, just begin to follow your breath as it comes into your body and back out again. Follow it as it begins at your nostrils, slightly cooler as it moves through your nose, down your throat and into your lungs, feeling your chest and belly expand with your breath. And again, as you breathe out, just follow your breath as your lungs deflate, feeling the breath move up through your throat and nostrils and out again, noticing the breath is slightly warmer as it leaves the body.

Just continue to follow the breath in and out, watching it without trying ot change it. If you can do this for a few minutes you should notice that you begin to relax, your mind is somewhat clearer and emotions a little less turbulent. Just 'tip of the iceberg' stuff, but this is just as much Yoga as standing on your head with your legs in lotus posture.

Take care,

Scott

 

[rach]

hi scott and welcome xxx

 

[tracey 2]

Hi and welcome great bunch of girls here you will prob have loads of questions. I dont think i could do anything like that dont think its me. x x

 

[lauramumof2]

Hi Scott,
Thats not too far away at all. Do you run classes?
I went to classes on a sunday night for an hour and a half. It was very relaxing in the early pregnancy but I stopped soon after as I ended up falling asleep during the relaxation because I was so tired.

 

[Bagpuss17]

Hi Scott,

I did Yoga during my pregnancy from weeks 14 through to 32 weeks. I would strongly recommend it to anybody, pregnant or not.

I didn't attend a specialist pregnancy class but our instructor gave us (there were 3/4 pregnant women in the class) alternative moves.

The breathing techniques I learnt during Yoga was my saviour during labour. I was in labour for 24 hours and managed to get on top of the pain from the start thanks to my yoga breathing. I felt very in control of the pain from the off with only one weak moment about 12 hours in. My midwives were really impressed with my breathing and repeatedly commented on how calm I was. They kept saying they were going to have a try of Yoga as a result.

I will be resuming classes soon and will definitely be attending classes during my next pregnancy. It helped me have such a positive birth experience.

 

[ScottR]

Hi all, and thanks for the welcomes, it's great to hear such positive experiences with Yoga.

Tracey, if you don't feel like doing it, then don't do it. However one of the things we usually find through doing Yoga is that we all have such a limited view of what "me" really is. People tend to get very much in touch with who they are with Yoga and end up gaining the confidence to do all sorts of things they never did before. It just takes a bit of courage to start that process, go to a class and see what happens.

Laura, I do run classes in Ayrshire, but having already fallen foul of the forum's "no advertising" rules (my first post was deleted because I put in a link to a website listing Pregnancy Yoga classes across the UK which I thought forum members could use to find local classes) I can't post my website address here to give you details.

Your experiences in relaxation are just the norm - I reckon about half the people in any class fall asleep during relaxation. It's not what the purpose of the relaxation period is, however if it happens then the body must need a sleep so it's good that you are getting what your body needs.

The reason this happens is that we run about in our lives not listening to our body's needs, ignoring them in preference for all the things we "need to do". When you come to a Yoga class the movement and breathing slightly quietens this "need to do" and the messages our body sends us (all the time) finally get through. Then when you lie down, close your eyes and your body is saying "go to sleep", and you do. Isn't that amazing? For me it was the thing that hooked me on Yoga in my very first class - that I could fall asleep in a class of 15 total strangers (and waken up feeling so much better after only a few minutes).

Cheers,

Scott