...on well into their pregnancies, so watch your body and your instincts.

First trimester
You don't have many restrictions this early in your pregnancy. If you're a regular yoga practitioner, accept that your routine will require modifications as time goes on. listen to your body.

Second trimester
Don't try to hold poses for a long time, and remember to sink into yoga positions slowly and carefully to avoid injury, because of your loosening joints. Your expanding belly will effect your sense of balance.

Third trimester
You're probably feeling less graceful now that your belly is bigger, so perform standing poses with your heel to the wall to avoid losing your balance and risking injury to you or your baby. Props such as blocks and straps can also help you move through different poses with greater stability.more

The Benefits Of Hatha Yoga Examined

...t can get you into shape and keep you that way if used regularly. Yoga differs from other forms of exercise in that it involves motions that don't cause strain on the body. When performed correctly, the asanas have no negative effects on the body or mind.

It isn't an aerobic exercise but it uses almost every muscle. It can help to develop and improve balance, coordination and a feeling of being centered. The limbs are used like free weights and the body's center of gravity is moved to create resistance. Over time, the limbs become stronger and the focus then shifts to endurance as the asanas are held for increasing periods of time.

The aim is quality of movement rather than quantity. Regular practice of hatha yoga can bring peace and happiness to the mind and improved health and relaxation to the body.

How Hatha Yoga Can Help At Any Age

Yoga is great fun for ...more

The Purpose of Yoga - Solutions for Releasing Anxiety

...Yoga is a 5,000 year catalog of health solutions and an evolving science of life. Therefore, here are some age old Yogic solutions for releasing anxiety. To make them work, you must realize that you have to make a habit of releasing a little anxiety, within acceptable limits, all day long.

Physical practice of Yoga postures (Asanas) will release muscular tension. Make a habit of physically practicing as you sit, stand, or lie down. You do not have to put on a Yoga show to sit straight, stand straight, tilt, twist, or bend.

As humans, we are in motion most of the time, but you can move or stand still with purpose and mindfulness. Once you establish Yoga into your life off the Yoga mat, you will be surprised how often you and people around you are reg...more

Yoga is a Journey, Not a Destination

...

If you wish to know how you are doing in your practice - look at your reactions - look at your life. Unless we connect 'off' the mat, bringing our practice into daily life, then any insights and breakthroughs will be of no great value. You may be great at practising yoga on the mat, or sitting quietly in a room - But how are you at practising it in your relationships - with your mother, your son, your neighbour, your boss? As you will your body on the yoga mat to let go of tension and stress, do you remember to do the same with resentment and irritations in daily life? The next time you tell someone that you ar...more

Yoga Mat Cleaning