[Ask Deb]

Hi Deb,

I am pregnant again (18 weeks) and very curious about the “Pushing Power” and abdominals you are referring to. I am an experienced yoga practitioner and would like to maintain my regular practice for as long as possible. Therefore I have two questions:

1. Should I still hold my Bandhas while practicing?
2. If it feels good and effortless, is there any reason not to do Chaturanga and Urdhva Mukha Svanasana?

Thanks and happy holidays! I will see you in the New Year for either pre-natal (once I get a little bigger) or for postnatal classes!

Warm Regards,

Hanne (Marina’s mom)
New York

[Deb]

HI Hanne

good to hear from you. congratulations on your second pregnancy!

ok- so the bandhas- mulabanda is very appropriate to continue. it
helps provide support for the uterus and bladder by creating a gentle
lift of the pelvic floor. Uddiyana Bandah, I would be more gentle
with. Although it is not an aggressive drawing in of the lower belly,
it does restrict movement to the lower abdomen. I would be
restrictive on the poses you actively use this bandha. The "Pushing
Power" abs you referred to, is a specific exercise to tone the
transverse abdominal muscles, it is different from Uddiyana Bandah.

Chaturanga- is fine to continue as long as you do not allow the lower
back to sway. The bigger your belly gets, the more likely you are to
allow the added weight of your uterus to drag the lower back down.
Here is a pose where you will really need to engage your bandhas and
keep the lower back lengthened.

Urdhva Mukha Svanasana- start to pay attention to how your abdomen
and lower back feels. If you do not feel over stretched across your
belly or compression in the lower back, you can continue. Keep in
mind that as your belly gets bigger and your continue to back bend,
you increase your chances of creating diastasis (a separation of the
abdominal rectus muscles) So enjoy these poses while you can!

I look forward to having you back in class n 2007!

take care

deb