Functional movement over aesthetics in prenatal yoga (2 min read)

I can go on for an hour on the latter (yoga for aesthetics), but I will confine the scope to why functional movement is more important than other contexts in prenatal yoga.

Functional movement is defined as the adaptation of yoga āsana (postures) to suit specific intentions. In my experience, many pregnant women come to class seeking relief from lower back pain, turning to yoga as a remedy on the recommendation of their physiotherapist or massage therapist.

And if you ask her to just focus on how it looks from the outside and fit into a certain aesthetic ideal, her problems can never be managed with justice.

It is perhaps not news to you that much of the commodified version of "yoga" practiced tends to force bodies into predefined postures, prioritizing appearance over purpose. This approach is especially unsuitable (if not risky) for prenatal yoga.

Each body is unique, with its own anatomy and history, and each pregnancy is even more individual. Prenatal yoga offers the perfect opportunity to adapt postures to suit your specific needs and intentions.

In functional approach of prenatal yoga, the focus shifts to how the body feels and how to best assist the pregnant body to function and excel. It also shifts our intention inward more because when so much is happening inside, prenatal yoga needs to become a tool for empowerment, allowing you to listen to your body, honor its changes, and move in ways that support your physical and emotional health during this transformative time.

Wish to practice yoga when a life is growing inside? Let's start with the dos and dont's here.