So, I am totally not pregnant in these photos. Haha, well I am, but I don’t look pregnant! I took these before we announced, and before I started showing, but never shared them! But today I want to talk about something I get asked super often, and that is, “what are my favorite yoga poses for pregnancy?”

As many of you know, I started doing yoga consistently last summer, then I found out I was pregnant, so I kind of had to adjust my poses and routine. I’ve been going to prenatal yoga classes at my local studio, and LOVING them. Keep reading to see the best yoga poses for opening your hips, getting baby into the best position, and for ultimate relaxation!

MY FAVORITE YOGA POSES FOR PREGNANCY

1 // cat cow pose

If you aren’t sure how to do cat cow, see this helpful video, but it’s a basic yoga pose, and super easy to do anywhere!

Helps with: Cat cow pose is SO good for stretching out your back, and encourages baby get into the right position in your pelvis for delivery.

2 // pigeon pose

This pose is a tiny bit hard to get used to in the beginning, but I started it early on enough in my pregnancy that I literally can’t go a day without doing it. See this video for how to do pigeon pose.

Helps with: Pigeon pose is great for opening and loosening the hips, and also helps with lower back pain.

3 // chair pose

Chair pose is really just a type of squat, where you strengthen your leg muscles (great for getting ready to deliver), and it’s also easy to do anywhere. See this video for how to do the chair pose.

Helps with: Okay, so in HypnoBirthing we don’t use “contractions” but instead, “rushes” or “surges” and the chair pose is a GREAT way to practice coping with the pain of a tightening muscle. (Remember, your uterus is just a muscle, after all!) We do this exercise in my prenatal yoga class where the instructor times us (usually 60-90 seconds) holding chair pose. We then have to practice both breathing through the tightening of our leg muscles, and I even move around a little bit to work through the surge. It helps so much, and it’s a great simulation for practicing for labor!

4 // seated side bend

So, I love this pose, because it’s easy to do in the morning or before bed, and makes my low back feel amazing! See the seated side bend here.

Helps with: seated side bend is great for relaxation, breathing, and helping to loosen those lower back muscles.

5 // yoga squat (garland pose)

I envision myself having to use the squat with labor a ton, so I am diligent about practicing my squats. I practice when I’m watching TV, or playing on the floor with Grace. I try to sit there for like a minute at a time, haha. My goal is like 5 minutes of squatting, but I feel like my feet tire out so quickly. Watch this quick video to learn how to do the garland pose.

Helps with: I really want to use the squat position as a technique during labor, and MAYBE even try to deliver the baby that way. We will see what my body decides. But this is a great pose for opening the hips, and stretching your body in general. Definitely one of my favs.

SHOP NON-MATERNITY ACTIVEWEAR:

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LINK-UP:

Jacqueline and I post our link-ups every Thursday! Each week we style a specific theme and share it with our readers + fellow bloggers alongside a special guest host. We love the community it encourages and learning about everyone’s unique take on a specific trend. Come back weekly to visit us!

HOW TO LINK-UP:

1. We kindly ask that you follow the three hosts: Larissa from Living in Color on Bloglovin’, Jacqueline from Stylin’ In St. Louis via Bloglovin’, January from January Hart on Bloglovin’, and our guest host Jennifer of Effortlessly Sophisticated. (The first 4 links in the link-up.)

2. Please link back to Larissa and Jacqueline’s blog on the post you linked to, stating that you joined in on the fun over at Spotlight Weekly.

3. Enjoy reading other blogs and make new blogger friends!

SPOTLIGHT: This week’s spotlight is Rachel of a A Blonde’s Moment. Jacqueline and I adore her look from last week’s link-up! Be sure to stop by her blog and say hello.