Pregnancy is a wonderful journey into womanhood, fertility and change. It should be a time of joy and happiness but unfortunately for many it is more of a yo-yo experience - one minute up - elated and joyful, but the next - down - depressed, filled with anxiety, fear and self-doubt.

Breathing techniques and meditation can help you cope with these emotional mood swings and help you find peace through relaxation. These techniques are specifically taught in prenatal yoga and can be of great benefit to you during your pregnancy and the actual birth. Yoga, with its emphasis on breathing, is a wonderful way to help you use your breath to induce a state of calmness in the mind, and strength and flexibility in the body.

What are the specific benefits of Prenatal Yoga?

Strength, flexibility and well-being - when you practice yoga, you are not only stretching the muscles, but you are stretching the tissues than encase the muscles, stimulating your organ systems, promoting the circulation of blood and oxygen, breathing more intentionally, and focusing your attention inward through imagery and meditation. The combine effect is intended to be one that promotes a heightened state of physical and emotional well-being.

Lessens discomfort - reduces low back pain and sciatica - by becoming more in touch with your physical body and its correct alignment, your posture improves. This can help to reduce the degree of pelvic tilt associated with pregnancy and the lower back pain it can cause. Specific yoga poses stretch the back muscles, hamstrings and hip flexors, helping the back to be stronger and less susceptible to injury.

Stretching reduces aches and fatigue - as the baby grows, you become more and more uncomfortable, especially at night. Even if you do manage a good night's sleep, you awake stiff and sore. This is because spinal alignment may have been compromised during sleep and your muscles are now congested and tense. The solution - a good stretch! Certain yoga poses create fluidity in the back muscles, yoga breath helps circulate blood around the body and together they reduce pain and stiffness.

Reduces swelling and inflammation around the joints - improves circulation of blood and oxygen throughout your body. Good circulation, especially to the legs and feet may reduce varicose veins.

Helps to prepare you physically for labour and birth and post-delivery- a regular practice of squatting asana helps to tone muscles of the pelvic floor, a good yoga class should include pelvic floor (Kegel) toning exercises and postures that ensure a good blood supply to the perineum.

Helps to prepare you emotionally for childbirth and child rearing - prenatal yoga classes bring women together when they are undergoing the same emotionally and physical changes. New friendships are formed, some lasting a lifetime. The bond of women drawn together during childbirth forms an excellent support system and greatly strengthens a woman's confidence. The combination of the physical or asana portion of yoga with the emotional and spiritual component can be an aid in reducing pregnancy-related anxiety and improve her experience of the miracle and empowerment of pregnancy.