Happy Mother's Day

Found a great overview article about prenatal yoga on YogaJournal.com called Yoga for Moms-to-be; thought it was fitting for Mother's Day.

(Photo of me today at 38 weeks!)

Not sure if this is technically my first Mother's Day or not, but I did receive some Mother's Day cards, which was nice. I also was able to check out the DVD Yoga for Your Pregnancy that I blogged about earlier this week. Received it from Netflix and practiced the energizing, 30-minute practice a few times along with the meditation, pranayama and birthing room section. There's also a 17-minute relaxation practice and a postnatal section.

If you're new to yoga and expecting, this is a good DVD to try. If you have Netflix, I strongly suggest renting it first to make sure you enjoy it. I'm not sure if I recommend buying it, especially if you're more versed in yoga because it's fairly basic. However, it's definitely a great practice to do later on in your pregnancy, and the birthing room and meditation section are unique to any prenatal yoga DVD I've found. The alternate nostril breathing demonstration within the pranayama or breath section was very good as well. In addition, there's three women representing each stage of pregnancy and doing the poses in various ways, which is always nice so you may use the practice throughout your entire pregnancy.

Yoga for the Second Trimester

Whether you're in your second trimester or you're a yoga teacher, you should read the Yoga Journal online article "Tools for Teaching Prenatal Yoga: The Second Trimester."

It's written by the author of one of my favorite yoga blogs, Grounding Thru the Sit Bones, and gives clarification on what poses are available and/or modifications (such as backbends against a wall versus on your stomach) during the second trimester of pregnancy.

One of the article's suggestions is to begin focusing on pranayama or breath exercises during this trimester to prepare for labor and maybe even utilize during delivery. One such practice is alternate-nostril breathing. Found a short clip on YouTube to demonstrate - it's a little weird at first, but you will feel the calming effects afterwards. Great for opening up your sinuses too.

Prenatal yoga pranayama: Alternate-nostril breathing (1:40)

I'm a Weeble Wobble

Do you remember playing with Weeble Wobbles growing up? I've reached the point in my pregnancy where I'm shaped like the egg-shaped toys that never fall down. The Weebles' advertising slogan became somewhat of a catchphrase: "Weebles wobble but they don't fall down." Apparently pregnant chicks follow the same logic according to Web article, "Why pregnant women don't topple over."

Scientists think they’ve found the answer: There’s slight differences between women and men in one lower back vertebrae and a joint in the hip, which allow women to adjust their center of gravity.

Tests were performed to display that the slight changes in evolution allowed women walking on two feet to carry the extra belly weight minus falling over and the back pain one would expect.

Isn't the body miraculous how it adjusts to its changing needs? With how big my belly is getting, I'm amazed daily that I can maintain my equilibrium on my two feet let alone continue my yoga practice.

27 weeks down, only 13 more to go?

Another article about the benefits of prenatal yoga and how to approach your yoga practice during pregnancy (found in Yoga Journal).

This morning I did a little yoga with my husband (which is rare and infrequent) because his neck and upper back has been bothering him. It seemed to help a little, although he can't seem to not laugh through it... I hope he tries to do a little a day because he is stiff for being a young man! Then I did about 10 minutes of seated meditation followed by an hour of Shiva Rea's Prenatal Yoga dvd, which is excellent.

Today marks week 27, meaning ONE week left in the second trimester! Can't believe it's flown by so quickly; guess because I've felt fairly well after being so drained and icky during the first trimester. I just pray I don't blow up like a balloon the next few months. I've only gained around 15 pounds so far, which seems to be on track to be in the healthy weight gain of 25-30 pounds total. People tell me it hasn't creeped into my face - but maybe they're being nice!

Just think the baby was once only an inch big (first set of sonograms is baby at 10 weeks), then about a pound at 18 weeks (second sonogram). Now he or she is over two pounds and 14.5 inches from head to heal. Crazy! And yet SO FAR TO GROW! OMG ... inhale, exhale.

Halfway there!

Can't believe I've been pregnant for 20 weeks. Reassuring yet frightening to know I’m halfway through my pregnancy.

Every week I receive an e-mail from babycenter.com updating me about my pregnancy and how the baby is developing. It always seems to compare the baby’s growing size to some type of food, especially fruit. This week, I'm apparently carrying around a banana in my uterus... I’ll never look at produce the same way again!

Seems like just the other day it was only the size of a kumquat, whatever the heck that is.

Showing at 15 weeks - RAMA?

Apparently I'm beginning to show. The last few days, once I break the news to someone, he or she says, "I was wondering..." Well, what's that supposed to mean?? Is the bump really that noticeable? I can still fit into my normal jeans without any struggle. In fact, some of my pants fit me better now - I swear my butt is getting smaller while my belly enlarges! Fine by me!

Since I'm beginning to show, I figure I better start looking for some maternity yoga clothes. Surfing online, I'm not seeing much and what I am seeing is kind of pricey. After googling "pregnancy yoga clothes" I found a decent article on this topic, such as where to shop and what you should buy on www.BabyFit.com. Here's the list of suggestions for mothers to be in terms of workout gear:

• 1 pair maternity fitness shorts
• 1 pair maternity yoga pants (long or capri); for yoga or any activity
• 2 really good and supportive bras
• 1 supportive swimsuit for any kind of water workout
• 2 maternity tanks or tees for layering

Since I teach yoga 3x week, I'm not sure if that's enough yoga pants... guess I'll be a smelly teacher! :)