Preparing for Birth With Yoga: Exercises for Pregnancy and Childbirth

by Janet Balaskas

Yoga is a deeply effective exercise system for the months of pregnancy, childbirth and beyond. Completely unstrenuous, it can provide the key to a relaxed and enjoyable pregnancy, activating the energy that empowers us to give birth to a new life.
Beautifully illustrated throughout, this inspiring book is the most comprehensive and practical handbook ever written on the use of yoga in pregnancy. Preparing for Birth with Yoga explains why we need yoga in pregnancy and how it can prepare us effectively for giving birth; how the force of gravity influences our bodies beneficially during pregnancy and birth; gentle and safe easy-to-follow yoga exercises graded for the beginner as well as the more advanced practitioner; how yoga can relieve stress, strengthen the body and help it to become more supple; and how this book can be used as an authoritative reference manual for midwives, antenatal and yoga teachers.

Genres: Nonfiction

Paperback

First published April 25, 1994

Reviews

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unlike Fit Pregnancy for Dummies or Exercising Through Your Pregnancy (both good reads), this book includes diagrams and directions for positions you can practice through your pregnancy to prepare you for birthing as well as ones you can use during labour. (Tres handy.) If you are less into the spiritual side of yoga, it's easy to skip to the exercise bits. Definitely recommend to the knocked up.

[Robin Koogle · Rating 5 out of 5]

as a recent YTT grad and pregnant mama, this was exactly what I was looking for in a prenatal yoga book. helpful, informative, and well thought out. I also think it would be approachable for a new yogi. it's a bit old but I think its age adds an interesting element. highly recommend!

[Saira · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really old book with a handful of things I didn’t agree with. But really informative and a good reference to keep on hand for sequencing classes as a prenatal yoga teacher.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Old book which made it interesting from that perspective too. Lots of good info in there.

[Ann Duffy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I couldn't do it. I wasn't the perfect yoga-mom-to-be, or even remotely close to it. After about 6 months, yoga exercises were just too darn hard with that belly. Jack was a big baby and he wasn't about to let me twist my body every which way. We made it through, though, yoga or no, and we're no worse for it. The primary reason I gave it only two stars is that the book didn't work for me, so my rating is a subjective one. Others may find the book more useful. I didn't find anything fundamentally wrong with how the information/exercises were presented, I just didn't have a need for it in the end.

[Terka Juchelková · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pevně doufám, že se mi dostane do ruky ještě nějaký kvalitnější průvodce jógou v těhotenství.
Tato kniha mě příliš neoslovila. Pro mě je až moc zaměřené na "spojení se zemí" a úplné základy jógy. Velká část knihy také popisuje biologické učivo na úrovni základní školy.
Když se ve druhé polovině konečně dostáváme k praktické józe, jsou některé pozice popsány zbytečně složitě nebo nesrozumitelně, obrázky často nesedí s odkazy v textu, ty nejzajímavější pozice jsou v podstatě odbyty pár větami.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

This looks like a really good set of yoga practices for pregnant women. A lot of prenatal yoga books focus on breathing and relaxation exercise and gentle stretching, but this book is much more intense. Not only does it show exercises specific to the muscles of the pelvic floor, it also shows ways to modify one's existing yoga practice while pregnant. It's very thorough.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book helped me so much. Loved it.

[Traca · Rating 4 out of 5]

For women with an established yoga practice: especially helpful for breathing & relaxation before and during birth.

[Alanda Coon · Rating 3 out of 5]

helpful during pregnancy to prep for birth

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

More than just a yoga book. It has great info about pregnancy

[Tanya]

Excellent for those who teach yoga and are interested in learning how to best service those who are pregnant.