Did you know that YOGA is the most popular pregnancy exercise among women in the United States?

It's hard to beat the relaxing, meditative and convenient workout that a prenatal yoga video can provide in the comfort of your home.

Many women look on their pregnancy as an opportunity to put a renewed focus on their health and fitness, since their bodies are going through an important transformation and they are building up toward a challenging physical fete - the birth of their child!

Even though it can be funny to imagine yourself trying to contort your body into challenging yoga poses during your third trimester, the strength and flexibility many poses demand can actually help the delivery process and make child birth a less painful and traumatic time for many mothers. A good prenatal yoga video will take these concerns into account and give you the tools and strategies you need for a productive pregnancy workout.

Why Yoga Workouts For Pregnant Women?

The practice of yoga is a non-pharmaceutical method for soothing aches and pains, improving flexibility and strength, and achieving inner balance and mental focus.  It is based on thousands of years of ancient practices and time tested "asanas" (or poses) and breathing and relaxation techniques.

If you are expecting a baby and would like to stay fit for the next nine months of your life, it is an opportune time to invest in one, or several prenatal yoga videos.   Even if the yoga routine is aimed toward expectant moms, the whole family can join in and have some time to enjoy together.  Children especially love yoga and it is a wonderful physical activity for them, that doesn't strain their muscular/skeletal system the way some exercises, like weight lifting, can.

What Types of Yoga Poses Will My Prenatal Yoga Video Lead Me Through?

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If you are familiar with the practice of yoga, you may already know some of these common yoga asanas, which are favored by pregnant women.

The Pelvic Rock, the Camel pose and Tree pose are just a few of the moves in prenatal yoga routine that can help energize you if you are feeling sluggish during the pregnancy days.

Shoulder stretches and the Queen Dancer pose are also recommended by the famous Lamaze Institute.  These positions can help strengthen the core muscles and prepare them for labor and delivery.

When I was in labor with my first baby, I tried to stay up and active as much as possible, rather than lying in bed.  This can help the delivery progress.  Many of the moves you may see on your prenatal yoga video, such as squats or the cat pose, are echoed in the delivery room.

How Can Yoga Help You After The Baby Comes?

Having a baby can be hard on your body, and the hormonal fluctuations it creates can sometimes lead to mood swings or depression.  There is also a heavy dose of exhaustion for new parents following the birth of their baby.

If you are suffering from even the mild baby blues or also known as postpartum depression, it is important to continue mild yoga poses with your doctor's permission. If you have had a cesarean section or if you had multiples or a complicate delivery and episiotomy, it might not be recommend for you until you are completely healed.

However, for those who went through a normal procedure, many doctors do give the go ahead for a some pregnancy yoga DVD poses to get back into shape. Feel better about yourself, look better and be a better role model for your family.

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