Third Trimester

1. Supta UdarakarshanAsan (Sleeping Abdominal Stretch Pose)

How to do?

Lie in the back. Interlock fingers of both hands and place hands beneath the head. Bend knees, keeping the soles of feet on the floor. While breathing out lower the legs towards the right, trying to touch the knees on the floor.

At the same time move the head towards the left, giving uniform twisting stretch to the entire spine. Repeat on the other side by bending legs towards left, and head towards right.

Benefits

Removes constipation, improves digestion. Relieves stiffness and strain of spine caused by prolonged sitting.


2.Ankle Crank

How to do?


Bend the right leg up and place the foot overhanging the left knee. Hold the right toes with the left hand. Steady the right ankle with the the right hand. Crank the right ankle around in a large circle, exploring to the very perimeters of movement. Do 10 rotations in each direction and then 10 rotations in each direction with the other ankle

Benefits

Good for stiffness and poor circulation in the feet. Helps extend setting time in meditation postures.

Pregnancy Advice

Specially useful in case of edema, cramping, post epidural numbness in the feet and legs.


3. Shoulder Rotation

How to do?

Single Arm Place the right fingertips up on the right shoulder. Slowly rotate the arm and shoulder joint around as if drawing a large circle with the tip of the elbow.






Extend the movement to rotate fully into the shoulder joint. Do 5 times one way and then reverse the direction for 5 circles. Repeated on the left side.





Double Arm Raise the arms up, fingers on both shoulders. Slowly rotate both arms together in large circles. Try to stretch the elbows as far back as possible, and try to touch them together at the front. Go 5 times in one direction and then 5 times reverse.


Breath Inhale when opening the chest as the elbows go backwards, exhale when the elbows move towards touching at the front.
Benefits

Improves circulation and flexibility in the shoulders and upper back. Releases tensions from around the heart and lungs. Encourages better breathing. Especially effective for release of neck tension if followed by the neck series.
For mothers-to-be, practice throughout pregnancy and post-nasally as this exercise helps to stimulate proper function of the mammary glands.

Third Trimester (Neck Series)
How to do?


1. Forwards and Backwards

From a straight position (a), slowly bend the head forward (b), chin towards the chest (c), then back to the beginning at (a) this is one round. Do 5 rounds.

Breathe out as you lower the head forwards or to the rear, breathe in as you raise it to the center.

2. Turning Side to Side

From a central position (a), slowly turn the head to the right (b), back to center (a), over to the left (c), and back to center at (a). This is one round. Do 5 rounds.

Breathe out as you turn the head to the side, breathe in as you center it.

Try not to turn the shoulders or upper body at all.

3. Tilting Side to Side

From a central position (a), slowly tilt the head, right ear towards the right shoulder (b), back to the center (a), then left ear towards the left shoulder (c), then back to (a). This is one round. Do 5 rounds.

Breathe out as you tilt the head side-ways, breathe in as you raise it to the center.

Don’t turn the head at all – make the movement a pure side stretch.
4. Full neck Rotation

Note: Some people find Full Neck Rotations are painful in certain positions. They should not do it.
Starting with the chin down on the chest at (a), Very Slowly roll the head around to the right side, ear towards right shoulder (b), continue around to the back

(c) then over towards the left shoulder (d), and down to the front again at (e). This is one roll.

Do 5 rolls in that direction then 5 in the reverse direction.

Breathe in for the first half-roll to the back position, and breathe out for the second half-roll to the front position.
Benefits

Regularly exercising the neck in all directions is an effective way of releasing general neck tension as well as alleviatingtired eyes and many types of headaches. It improves circulation between the heart and the brain and aids in balanced thyroid function.

Regular neck exercising is very important for those who study a lot or who work in jobs with little head movement (eg computing, driving, reading).

Precautions

All neck exercising must be done with great care. Always move Very Slowly and Smoothly with a relaxed breath. If pain is consistently present in any neck position, seek a qualified opinion from a spinal therapist (chiropractor or osteopath).

Those with high blood pressure should be especially careful, and should completely avoid Variation 4, the Full Neck Rotations.

thankyou...

Second Trimester

1. Matsya Kridasan (Flapping Fish Pose)


How to do?

Lie on stomach with fingers interlocked under the head. Bend the left leg sideways and bring the left knee close to the ribs.

Right leg should remain straight. Swivel the arms to the left and rest the left elbow on the left knee. If this is not comfortable rest it on the floor. Rest the right side of the head on the right arm. Relax in the final pose, and after some time, change sides. Bent knee and head may be supported on a pillow for further comfort.

Benefits

Stimulates digestion and removes constipation. Relaxes nerves of the legs. In later months of pregnancy, lying on the back may cause pressure over major veins and block the circulation. In such circumstances, this posture is ideal for relaxing and sleeping. Also redistributes excess weight around waistline.


2. Vajrasan (Thunderbolt Pose)

How to do?

Kneel on the floor. Bring big toes together and separate the heels. Lower the buttocks onto the inside surface of the feet with heels touching the side of the hips. Place hands on knees, palms down. Back and head should be straight , but not tense.

Benefits

Enhances digestive functions and can be practices directly after meals. Relieves stomach ailments like hyperacidity often a trouble faced during pregnancy. Alters blood flow and nervous impulses in the pelvic region and strengthens pelvic muscles. Assists women in labor.


3. Bhadrasan (Gracious Pose)

How to do?

Sit in vajrasan (above). Separate the knees as far as possible, while keeping the toes in contact with the floor. Separate the feet just enough to allow the buttocks and perineum to rest on the floor. Try to separate the knees. Do not strain.

Benefits

Same as vajrasan.


4. Marjari Asan (Cat Stretch Pose)

How to do?


Sit with buttocks on the heels (Vajrasan). Raise the buttocks and stand on the knees. Lean forward and place the hands flat on the floor. This is the starting position. Inhale while raising the head and depressing the spine so that the back becomes concave. Exhale, while lowering the head and stretching the spine upward. At the end of the exhalation contract the abdomen and pull in the buttocks.

Head will be now between the arms, facing the thighs. This is one round. It may be done for 5-10 times .Be careful not to strain yourself.

Benefits

This asan improves flexibility of the neck, shoulders and spine. Tones female reproductive system. Can be safely practiced during first 6 months of pregnancy.


5. Hasta Utthanasan (Hand Raising Pose)

How to do?


Stand with feet together and arms on the sides. Cross hands in front of body. Inhale and slowly raise arms over the head, keeping them crossed. At same time bend head slightly backward and look up at the hands.








Exhale and spread arms out to the sides at shoulder level.. Inhale and reverse the movement, re-crossing the arms above the head. Exhale and lower the arms straight down in front of the body.

Benefits

Removes stiffness from the shoulders and upper back. The deep synchronized breath improves breathing capacity. Influences heart and improves blood circulation. Whole body, especially the brain receives an extra supply of oxygen.


6. Tadasan (Palm Tree Pose)

How to do?


Stand with feet together and arms on the side. Raise arms over the head, interlock fingers and then turn the palms upward. Place hands over the head. Inhale and stretch the arms, shoulders and chest upwards. Raise heels to come up on the toes. Stretch whole body from top to bottom. Lower heels while exhaling and bring hands on top of the head. Relax for few seconds and repeat whole round 5-10 times.

Benefits

Helps develop physical and mental balance. Entire spine is stretched and loosened, helping to clear congestion of the spinal nerves. Also stretches rectos abdominal muscles keeping them nerves toned.


7. Kati Chakrasan (Waist Rotating Pose)

How to do?


Stand with the feet about half a meter apart and the arms by the sides. Inhale while raising the arms to shoulder level. Exhale and twist body to left. Bring right hand to left shoulder and wrap left arm around the back. Look over left shoulder. Hold breath for 2 seconds, inhale and return to starting position. Keep feet firmly on ground while twisting. Repeat on other side. Do twisting smoothly without any jerks. Do about 5-10 rounds.

Benefits

Tones waist, back and hips . Induces a feeling of lightness and used to relieve physical and mental tension.


8. Utthanasan (Squat and Rise Pose)

How to do?


Stand erect on feet about a meter apart, with toes turned out. Interlock fingers of both hands and let them hang loosely in front of the body. Slowly bend knees and lower buttocks. Straighten knees and return to upright position.

Benefits

Strengthens muscles of middle back, uterus, thighs and ankles.


9. Meru Akarshanasan (Spinal Bending pose)

How to do?

Lie on right side with left leg on right leg. Bend right arm. Placing the elbow on the floor. Support head on right palm. Place left arm on left thigh. Raise the left leg as high as possible, slide the left hand to the foot and grasp the big toe. Repeat on other side.

Benefits

Relaxes the hamstring, inner thigh and abdominal muscles and stretches the muscles of the sides of the body rendering them stronger and flexible.
thankyou...