BY BROOKE FREEDMAN
I was feeling a little bit hesitant, at first, to practice Bikram Yoga through my pregnancy. I couldn’t imagine how it could be OK to get that hot and not be putting the baby in any kind of danger. I found out, though, after much research that my core body temperature would never rise to dangerous levels while I was practicing, and that as long as I stayed super hydrated there was nothing to worry about. I actually took my temperature with a thermometer during class a few times and saw I was never over 99-100 degrees.
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The happy yoga family:
Brooke, Andy, and Jackson |
So I kept going! The first few months were tough because I was getting dizzy and had to sit down quite a bit. I think it was somewhere into my 5th month that the yoga really started making me feel really, really great. My belly was swelling and I was well into my pregnancy but couldn’t wait to get to yoga class at the end of the day.
Many pregnant women complain they are swollen, achy and exhausted! Bikram
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took all of that away. At the end of a long work day, class totally reenergized me. I never had a sore back, not even when I was 9 months. I am quite sure Camel Pose had a hand in that.
"Brad’s eyes almost popped out of his head when I walked through the studio door on my due date… but I felt that good." |
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I felt better than I had in my whole life. Into my third trimester (also known as the long haul), my doctor commented on how well I was doing physically and mentally. Stress was non-existent. I had very minimal weight gain and really had no complaints. My blood pressure stayed low right up until the very end. All of these things made for a peaceful, healthy, happy pregnancy.
I practiced at Bikram Yoga Harvard Square 4 or 5 days a week right up until my due date. Brad’s eyes almost popped out of his head when I walked through the studio door on my due date… but I felt that good.
Jackson Breeze was born on January 25th at Beth Israel Hospital. He has a sunny, peaceful disposition and certainly is a “yoga baby”. |
Massage in the summer
Massage is a great complement to a deeper summer yoga practice. It can help to keep your muscles healthy and flexible which is beneficial to your practice as well as any other physical activities you may do outdoors while the weather is nice. See our massage therapist, Heather Tomkinson, to schedule a massage today.
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Top reasons to practice Bikram yoga during the summer months:
1. Bikram teaches your skin to sweat and “air condition” your body more efficiently.
2. Bikram increases your mental tolerance to the outdoor heat.
3. Regular practice encourages you to stay hydrated.
4. Tones your arms, legs, butt, abs and back so you look great in skimpy clothing.
5. Keeps those extra pounds off so there’s less to lug around in the heat.
6. Gives you the athletic upper-hand in your outdoor activities.
7. In the summer months, your body doesn’t need as long to “warm up.” You can go deeper in postures! |
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