working yourself by playing “Supermum” due to a sense of ego-driven achievement or “who’ll-do-it-if-I-don’t” martyrdom.
   Manipura chakra, representing the fire ele-ment, affects the baby like the proverbial bun in the oven, slowly “cooking” him until he is done just right. Not too much heat, nor too little is best. A mother’s predominant adrenal and solar energy can leave very definite effects upon a child. Constant over-stimulation of Manipura can produce an over-heated, restless, over-achieving child, one who will always instinctively fight rather than take flight. On the other hand, under-stimulation can produce an overly lunar, introverted, low self-esteemed child who may end up becoming everybody’s door mat.
   Two of the best techniques to balance Ma-nipura are Surya Bheda Pranayama (if solar energy is too low) and Shashankasana 1 (if it is too high).

Anahata
   Anahata relates to the circulatory and respira-tory systems, relationships, love and the sense of touch and the skin. Many women enjoy massage immensely during pregnancy as the skin becomes more sensitive and more supple. Massage can relieve a lot of physical aches and pains as well as satisfying the requirements of the metaphysical heart and its need for emotional comfort. This input by others should also be balanced with an output of expression with your own hands. Giving comfort to others and using your hands creatively during pregnancy are important. You may find writing, poetry, art, handicrafts and sensual contact come more naturally at this time.
   Some women experience unexplained rashes, patchiness of skin colour, dryness or oiliness during pregnancy and the medical explanation is usually that these things are due to the hormones and the extra physical stresses on the body. (Gee, those hormones get a lot of the blame!). Whilst hormones do change the chemistry of many things during pregnancy, from the yoga viewpoint, skin disorders are indicative of energy imbalances at Anahata. They may have been there all along, but pregnancy has exacerbated them. Good, now you know where to look to fix them.
   High blood pressure may partly be a result of extra weight but also of psychological causes. Physical relaxation, pacifying pranayamas, mantra yoga all help keep blood pressure under control and keep the emotional spirits high. Other cardiac problems like poor circulation and varicose veins (which tend to worsen during pregnancy) can be managed with yoga asanas.
 

  
   It is not uncommon for a pregnant woman to experience anxiety about how she will relate to her baby when he is first born. For a first time mother there can be a fear of the unconditional love she is expected to feel for her baby, and for the mother already with children, there can be concerns about being able to spread the amount of love she has sufficiently around her family. These sorts of issues can be resolved by meditation on Anahata chakra.
   Breathing and respiratory illnesses can also become a problem if Anahata is weak or overly tense. You will find you become more and more out of “puff”. Whilst this partially relates to your general body energy of Manipura and the restriction the baby places on the diaphragm, it also relates to the efficiency of oxygenation in the blood and upper lungs. Swelling breasts and sore, slumping shoulders don’t help either.
   Illnesses like asthma are often symptomatic of an afflicted Anahata which, according to many metaphysicians, relates in part to the relationship between mother and child. The key to preventing all these possibilities is to keep up regular pranayama breathing practices to help fitness for pregnancy (as well as for birthing stamina), and keep the heart chakra open as much as possible through meditation.
   The state of a mother’s Anahata manifests in the bonding she has with her child. For some, that bonding exists from conception (or even before) and the event of childbirth simply enhances that love and attachment already felt. For others, Anahata awakens explosively at the time of birth or unfolds more slowly some time after and they begin their bonding from that time onwards.
   Two very good asanas to help open and get the energy flowing through Anahata are Hasta Uttanasana and Trikonasana.

Vishuddhi
   Vishuddhi chakra relates to energy of rational thought, speech, voice, communications, thyroid function, immune system, and purification. Excessive energy here creates a high metabolic rate, speedy personality, excessive thoughts, excessive analysis of every issue, speaking before you think, hoarseness of throat. Deficiency causes slow metabolic rates, mental procrastina-tion, inappropriate irrational responses, chronic throat illnesses and frequent neck problems.
   As your baby grows inside he will be hearing your voice. Sharing nice music, singing, chanting, and also talking to him directly is very important. And this is