misconceptions about yoga. I must make it very clear here, that ásanas are a very small part of the entire integrated practices. It is to calm down the mind and allay their fears and anxiety about their pregnancy and delivery that yoga emphasises. There are also cultural and social inhibitions in them, which need counselling, coaxing and motivating.

We are conducting a controlled research study on the “Efficacy of Integrated Approach of Yoga on the Outcome of Pregnancy”. We must mention here why and how we got interested in this work. Being a Neonatologist and a child specialist myself the first author was always touched by the anxiety and fear that the mother goes through during pregnancy and child birth. She knew that yoga therapy has been tried in all most all the stress related conditions with remarkable benefits. So far no studies have been undertaken to prove the safety and usefulness of yoga practices in pregnancy.

She thought that this is her greatest opportunity to take up a research study and prove scientifically that yoga can reduce the stress in pregnancy and improve the outcome, giving the joy of a normal healthy new born. There are already very encouraging results and the full research paper will be published soon.

This book provides useful guidelines for pregnant women, gives information about anatomical, physiological changes and adaptations to pregnancy and also any complications that can arise such as Pregnancy Induced Hypertension (PIH), Intra Uterine Growth Retardation (IUGR), Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM), etc. It gives a comprehensive knowledge of modified set of yoga practices, that can be practised throughout pregnancy including Ásanas, Práïáyáma, Meditation Techniques, Relaxation Techniques, Mudrás and Bandhas. There are some interesting Puráïic stories also.

The key message that we can give through this book is that yoga practices are safe, effective beneficial and help in easy delivery. 

We are extremely grateful to Dr. Sulochana Gunasheela, Director of ‘Gunasheela Maternity Hospital’, Bangalore for giving us the opportunity and all help to conduct the study on “Effects of Yoga in Pregnancy”. Her Ultrasonologists Dr. Tara Menon and Dr. Akhila Dilip gave us all the help with the Color Doppler investigations. All the staff in the hospital were extremely affectionate, tolerant and cooperative.

We must mention the encouragement and help given by Dr. Janhavi Prof. of Statistics, Bangalore University.

We greatly appreciate the help computer specialists Sri Natesh Babu, Mr Ravi Kumar G S, for ensuring Quality graphic pictures and for typing the manuscript neatly.

Dr Shamanthakamani Narendran M.B.B.S., D.C.H. (Lond) M.D. (Paed)
 F.I.A.M.S., M.A.(Phil), M.A.(Kan), Dip(Jour)
# 716, 7th Main, J.P.Nagar IIIrd Phase, Bangalore - 560 078
Ph: 091-080-6583824, E-mail : drshama65@hotmail.com

Dr R Nagarathna M.B.B.S., M.D. (Gen. Med.), F.R.C.P (Edin.)
Dean Division of Yoga and Life Sciences
Vivekananda Yoga Mahavidyapèûham
of Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana
 Ph: 091-080-6507585, E-mail : svyasaratna@yahoo.com

Dr H R Nagendra B.E., M.E., Ph.D.
Vice chancellor
Vivekananda Yoga Mahavidyapèûham
of Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana
 Ph: 091-080-7825385, Email : hrnagendra@rediffmail.com