Beginning Yoga

As you now know (if you didn’t know it when you started reading, that is!), yoga is a very interesting and ancient approach of uniting the body and the mind.  It has proven health benefits, including emotional and physical improvements. 

The chances therefore are, if you’re on the verge of starting a yoga program (perhaps at a local center or you’ve purchased a video or DVD and want to try it at home), you’re excited, optimistic, and anxious to get going!

Yet it’s wise to note that, before going into yoga practice, you should ask yourself some important questions.  These questions don’t have a right or wrong answer. 

They are merely meant to stimulate your own thoughts and give you the mindset that you need in order to succeed as a student of yoga for the long term.  

Here are the basic questions that you should ask before starting any yoga program:

* Do you want to use yoga as the means to stay fit throughout your pregancy?

* Would you like to continue yoga after you have your baby?
 
* Does my doctor or healthcare provider think yoga is riht for me?

* Are my goals for pursuing a yoga program (or programs) clear and positive?  Do I know what I    want to achieve?

* Am I prepared to commit the time necessary to really get the most of out of my yoga experience? 

*  Are there people around me who might negatively try and talk me out (or mock me out) of pursuing this path of personal development? 

As with all fitness disciplines, what you achieve is directly related to the level of effort or committmet you make.

But overall, you should kow that yoga is a low-impact, moderate type of exercise that has numerous health benefits for you, whether your arae pregnant, a new mom, or even thinking of becoming pregnant.