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As I have repeatedly
mentioned the use of Yoga Nidra for pregnant women earlier,
you may be wondering what it is and how does it help.
Yoga Nidra
is a deeply transcendental form of relaxation, somewhat like
a lying down meditation and is equivalent to any sitting meditation.
If practiced properly, it has the potential to remove tensions
and worries embedded deep in the mind.
The practice
of Yoga Nidra yields invaluable benefits during the entire
pregnancy.
For instance,
in the 1st trimester - when you feel tired, physically
as well as emotionally, Yoga Nidra is really helpful. One
hour of Yoga Nidra is said to be equal to 4 hours of normal
sleep, so one 30-minute session a day will benefit you for
more than just a few naps or an extra hour of sleep.
In fact women
who have a tendency for miscarriage, spotting, nausea etc.
can get the much needed physical and mental relaxation by
the practice of Yoga Nidra several times a day.
In the 2nd
trimester, when a first time mother-to-be feels lots of
new changes in her body, it is important that you develop
more of an "inside feel" for your muscles and joints,
breathing mechanisms, circulation, womb, bones, bladder. All
this can be achieved when you detach from the distractions
outside and start listening more to your body. This again
can be achieved by the practice of Yoga Nidra. By the 2nd
trimester, you may start feeling uncomfortable lying on your
back, so a sideways, half sleeping position is best for this.
Matsya Kridasana
(Flapping Fish Pose) can be adopted for Yoga Nidra. This pose
will be more stable as the body weight presses you down.
The practice
of Yoga Nidra continued till the 3rd trimester will help the
mother to be better prepared, mentally, for the new baby.
Since, during
the 3rd trimester, birthing fears and unwanted thoughts
may arise - Yoga Nidra helps relax the mind and resolve the
anxieties. Yoga Nidra enables one to witness the anxieties
as an unattached, uninvolved observer as the mind becomes
idle.
Physically, Yoga Nidra may help in cases of mild oedema
and cope with the increasing tiredness of the last
months of pregnancy. It enables the mother to build a reservoir
of energy, for the months ahead when then baby comes. No athlete
would wear themselves out in the weeks before a big race.
Two sessions a day of Yoga Nidra are recommended.
Incorporation
of Yoga Nidra in your daily routine will make it easier to
carry it on after the baby is born. Postnatally,
Yoga Nidra is of great help to get relaxation and even cover
up for all the sleepless nights with the newborn baby. Also,
it will help you manage stress and postnatal depression -
a hindrance to a good breast milk's supply for the baby.
These then,
are the benefits of Yoga Nidra. Now let us see briefly how
you can practice it. It is better if you take the assistance
of Yoga Nidra Cds or tapes to guide you through the session.
Remember
- Yoga Nidra is NOT sleeping.
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