Yoga and Pregnancy

(Pre- and Postnatal Resources)

Compiled by

Trisha Lamb Feuerstein

Last Revised: November 30, 2001

2001 by Yoga Research and Education Center (YREC)

Yoga Research and Education Center

P.O. Box 1386, Lower Lake, CA 95457, USA
Phone: 707-928-9898 E-mail: mail@yrec.org URLs: www.yrec.org; www.iayt.org
In no event shall IAYT or YREC, its licensors, its suppliers or any third parties mentioned herein be liable for any damages (including,
without limitation, incidental and consequential damages, personal injury/wrongful death lost profits, or damages resulting from lost data or
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Yoga and Pregnancy

(Pre- and Postnatal Resources)
Compiled by:
Yoga Research and Education Center, 2400A County Center Drive, Santa Rosa, CA 95403, USA
Phone: 707-566-9000 E-mail: mail@yrec.org URL: www.yrec.org; www.iayt.org

Anand, Anjali Devi, and Sri Ananda. Yoga for Easier Pregnancy & Natural
Childbirth. New Delhi, India: Orient Paperbacks, 1988. (Includes postnatal practices.)
Anandamitra Acarya, Avadhutika. Asanas should not be performed after the fifth
month . . . In Avadhutika Anandamitra Acarya, Yoga for Health. 2d ed. Paco, Manila,
Philippines: Ananda Marga Publications, 1990, p. 64. (Please note that this is the
viewpoint of this particular Yoga organization.)
Apostolopoulos, Andrea. Pregnancy and yoga. Available online:
http://www.yogalinks.net/Articles/PregnancyAndYoga.htm.
Arndt, Jennie, and Helayne Waldman. Pre & Postnatal Yoga video. Oakland, Calif.:
Preston Media Associates, 1988. 35 minutes. Reviewed by Donna Farhi in Yoga Journal,
Nov/Dec 1988, p. 95. (Donnas review provides information about which asanas to avoid
during pregnancy.)
Asmundsson, L. Yoga mama. Fit Pregnancy, Aug-Sep 2000, pp. 8893.
Bache, C. On the emergence of perinatal symptoms in Buddhist meditation. Journal for
the Scientific Study of Religion, 1981, 20:339-350.
Baker, Jeannine Parvati. Prenatal Yoga & Natural Birth. Berkeley, Calif.: North
Atlantic Books/Monroe, Utah: Freestone Publishing Co., 1974, 1986.
Balaskas, Janet. New Natural Pregnancy. Gaia Books, 1999.
___________. Natural pregnancy. Yoga & Health, May 1999, pp. 5-8.
___________. Easy Exercises for Pregnancy. New York: Macmillan Publishing, 1997.
___________. Preparing for Birth with Yoga. Rockport, Mass.: Element Books, 1994.
Preparing for Birth with Yoga explains why we need yoga in pregnancy and how it can
prepare us effectively for giving birth; how the force of gravity influences our bodies
beneficially during pregnancy and birth; gentle and safe easy-to- follow yoga exercises
graded for the beginner as well as the more advanced practitioner; how yoga can relieve
stress, strengthen the body and help it to become more supple; and how this book can be

used as an authoritative reference manual for midwives [and] antenatal and yoga
teachers.
___________. Active Birth: The New Approach to Giving Birth Naturally. Harvard
Common Press, 1992. Published as New Active Birth: A Concise Guide to Natural
Childbirth (London: Thorsons, 1991).
Bennett, Louise, and Jane Duggan. Active birth in Birmingham. Midwifery Matters, 31
Mar 1995, 64:12-13.
Berch, Rama. Yoga for Pregnancy video. La Jolla, Calif.: Master Yoga Academy, 2001.
(Reviewed by Richard Rosen in the May/Jun issue of Yoga Journal, p. 160.)
Berg, Vibeke. Yoga in Pregnancy. London and Dulverton: Watkins, 1977. (Originally
published in Denmark as Yoga for Gravide.)
Bertram, Lakshmi. Choosing Waterbirth. Hampton Roads Publishing, 2000.
From a review in the April 2001 issue of Network: With a foreword by . . . Dr. Michel
Odent, this book is the ideal introduction to the field, written by a mother of five, each of
whose children arrived in the water. As the author is a yoga teacher, the reader benefits
not only from her insights into pregnancy and the birth process but also from the many
exercises and techniques she explains . . .
Betheyla. Yoga and pregnancy. Ayurveda Today, 31 Dec 1995, 8(3):10-13.
Beyer-Nelson, Kimberly. Developing a prenatal Hatha Yoga program for integration
with existing hospital-based childbirth education classes. Paper presented at the 10th
International Conference on Yoga for Positive Health, University of South Florida,
Tampa, 15-17 Dec 2000. International Journal of Yoga Therapy, 2001, no. 11,
forthcoming October 2001. Email: knelson@inebraska.com.
Bhat, Vasanthi, and Hazuki Kataoka. Yoga for Pregnant Women video. Available for
purchase online: http://www.genius.net/indolink/Global/vsntYog4.html. 60 minutes.
This series of warm- ups, relaxation, asanas, pranayama, and meditation is specially
designed [for] pregnancy . . .
Bhole, M. V. Therapeutic applications of yoga techniques (pregnancy section). YogaMimamsa, Oct-Jan 1984-1985, 23(3&4):34.
Birch, Beryl Bender. Womens conditions: Menstruation and pregnancy. In Beryl
Bender Birch, Power Yoga. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1995, pp. 60-61.

Burke, Pat. Baby Yoga: An interview with Helen Garabedian [originator of Baby-Yoga
with Helen, www.baby- yoga.com]. Available online:
http://www.omplace.com/articles/BabyYoga.html.
Carroll, Cain, and Lori Kimata. See postures for expectant couples. In Cain Carroll
and Lori Kimata, Partner Yoga: Making Contact for Physical, Emotional, and Spiritual
Growth. Rodale Press, 2000.
Charlish, Anne. Yoga. In Anne Charlish, Your Natural Pregnancy: A Guide to
Complementary Therapies in Pregnancy and Childbirth. Ulysses Press, 1996.
Chawdri, L. R. Specific mantras for birth of children. In L. R. Chawdri, Practicals of
Mantras and Tantras. New Delhi, India: Sagar Publication,s 1985, pp. 129-132.
Childrens Television Workshop. Say Om, Mom! Sesame Street Magazine, May 1999.
(On Yoga for pregnancy.)
Chi-uh. Yoga with the Unborn. Mill Valley, Calif.: Whatever Publishing, 1980.
Christensen, Alice. Yoga during pregnancy. In Alice Christensen, The American Yoga
Association Beginners Manual. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1987, pp. 161-165
Clarfield, Janice. Yoga teacher training for pregnancy yoga. Kripalu Center, Lenox,
Massachusetts. URL: www.kripalu.org. Janets email: urbanyoga@axion.net. (Highly
recommended.)
Collins, Clare. Intuition, preventive medicine, and treatment. Journal of Obstetric,
Gynecologic, and Neonatal Nursing, Sep 1998, 27(5):563.
An ancient tradition, yoga can be practiced as one strategy in a personal health
promotion plan or as a specific therapy in the treatment of disease.
Cornelius, Patricia. Yoga & childbirth: Prenatal yoga. YogaLife, Mar/Apr 2000, p. 16.
Crawford, Colette. Prenatal Yoga video. Seattle, Washington: Holistic Life Productions,
1996. Phone number: 206-547-9882. 70 minutes. (Colette Crawford is an R.N. and
certified Iyengar Yoga instructor.)
From the back cover: Yoga strengthens the uterus and pelvic muscles, improves
circulation, aids digestion, exercises the spine, and increases overall comfort. Yoga can
also [help to] alleviate many of the common aches and discomforts of pregnancy such as
nausea, constipation, varicose veins, swelling and back pain including sciatica.
___________. Postnatal Yoga video. Seattle, Washington: Holistic Life Productions.
Crisp, Tony. Yoga and Childbirth. Northamptonshire, England: Thorsons, 1975.

Curran, Kathy. Bringing baby along. Yoga Journal, Nov/Dec 1982, pp. 46-48. (On
post-partum Yoga.)
Davey, Pru. Yoga and pregnancy. Available online:
http://www.yogalinks.net/Articles/YogaAndPregnancy.htm.
___________. Yoga for the midwife. Available online:
http://www.yogalinks.net/Articles/YogaForTheMidwife.htm.
DiFiore, Judy. The Complete Guide to Postnatal Fitness. A. & C. Black, 1998.
(Incorporates Yoga movements and breathing.)
Dongaonkar, Deepti, and David James. Can yoga help pre-eclampsia? Yoga Biomed
News, Winter 1993, no. 21, p. 5.
Drexinger, Rachel. Yoga for Pregnancy video. Available from Kripalu Center, Lenox,
Massachusetts. (Highly recommended.)
Dunn, Samantha. Special delivery: More and more mothers-to-be are turning to a gentle
asana practice to prepare emotionally and physically fo r labor. Yoga Journal, May/Jun
2000, pp. 110-115, 182.
More and more mothers-to-be are turning to a gentle asana practice to prepare
emotionally and physically for labor. Features Yoga teacher Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa.
Elkind, Sue. Yoga Mama video. Anchor Bay. (Prenatal.)
Ernzen, Mary Anne. Information alert. International Journal of Childbirth Education,
31 Mar 1995, 10(1):26-27. (On how Yoga aids pregnancy.)
ESutra online discussion group. Discussion on asana practice as a possible cause of
miscarriage (speculative only). See messages with the subject line: RE: Yoga and
Endocrine Development, 9/22/99. To join ESutra, write to the moderator, Leslie
Kaminoff, ESutra@aol.com.
Expecting . . . the yoga way. Family Health, Mar 1978, pp. 44ff.
Farhi, Donna. Childbirth. In Donna Farhi, The Breathing Book. New York: Henry Holt
& Co., 1996, pp. 208-212.
Fields, Nerissa. Teaching the gentle way to labour. Nursing Times, 8 Feb 1995, 91(6):4445.
Reports on the benefits of practicing yoga and shiatsu during pregnancy.

Finger, Alan, and Greta Finger. Yoga Zone Pregnancy Series video. Milford, Ct.: Yoga
Zone. Available from Yoga Zone, www.yogazone.com, 1-800-264-YOGA. 48 minutes.
Yogiraj Alan Finger guides his wife, Greta, through a yoga series designed to meet the
needs of the pregnancy cycle, promoting strength and flexibility. Specific pregnancy
issues are addressed, including relief of lower back pain, edema, varicose veins and
stress.
___________. Postures for Pregnancy video. New York: BMG Video, 1998. Available
from Yoga Zone, www.yogazone.com, 1-800-264-YOGA. 55 minutes.
Learn proper body alignment to carry your baby more comfortably. Increase flexibility
and improve circulation, which reduces the potential problems associated with
pregnancy. Strengthe n your body to help relieve common discomforts along with
breathing techniques to relieve shortness of breath and stress. Designed [by Alan Finger]
for his wife, Greta, to safely practice Yoga and stay in shape while pregnant . . .
___________. Baby and Me Yoga video. New York: Yoga Zone. Available from Yoga
Zone, www.yogazone.com, 1-800-264-YOGA. [Uncertain if the practitioners in this
video are Alan and Greta Finger.]
Fishman, Jennifer Barron. Yoga in pregnancy; countless benefits. YOGAChicago, JulAug 2001, pp. 6-7.
Fit Pregnancy magazine. Gena Lee Nolin shows what yoga can do. Either Summer or
Fall 1997 issue. Shape magazine special issue.
Forget, Maude. Natre dans la Joie: Manuel de Yoga pour la Future Mre. Paris:
Courrier du Livre, 1982. [In French.]
Frank, Karen Margolis. A comparison of the third trimester muscle tension levels and
labor outcomes of women who practice Hatha Yoga in pregnancy with women who do
not practice Hatha Yoga in pregnancy. Masters thesis. Boulder, Colo.: University of
Colorado, 1984.
Freedman, Francoise Barbira. The Birthlight adaptation of yoga for pregnancy and
childbirth. Yoga Biomedical Bulletin, Summer 1997, no. 35, pp. 1-2.
___________. Baby Yoga. Barrons Educational Series, 2000/Gaia Books, 2000.
(Francoise is the founder of Birthlight, an organization in England dedicated to
improving the experience of childbirth through Yoga, tel: 01223 362288, URL:
http://www.birthlight.com.)
From a review at Amazon.com: This thoroughly enjoyable exercise book for new
parents and their babies uses yoga as an approach to body toning and general physical
fitness. Its the perfect guide for moms who want to exercise soon after childbirth but

realize that they should do so with care. Exercises are designed to tone arms, legs, and
abdominal muscles, and there are even breathing exercises to help parents renew energy
at the same time they are soothing an irritable baby. Infants also share in these exercises.
Parents will find instructions for gently manipulating their babys limbs to maintain their
natural suppleness, and to ease colic and other digestive problems. At the same time,
theyll be reinforcing the loving bond between parent and child. Dads are also
encouraged to share in the exercises.
Freedman, Francoise Barbira, and Doriel Hall. Yoga for Pregnancy, London:
Cassell/Ward Lock, 1998. (Francoise is the founder of Birthlight, an organization in
England dedicated to improving the experience of childbirth through Yoga, tel: 01223
362288, URL: http://www.birthlight.com.)
___________. Yoga for pregnancy. Yoga & Health, Sep 1998, pp. 5-7.
___________. Yoga for pregnancy. Yoga Biomedical News, Autumn 1998, no. 39, p. 7.
Gandha, Ma Anand. Yoga et maternit. Barret- le-bas: Le Souffle dor, 1990.
Garde, R. K. Visceroptosis. In R. K. Garde, Principles and Practice of Yoga-Therapy.
Bombay, India: D. B. Taraporevala Sons & Co., 1972, 1984, p. 82.
Goldstein, Leslie. Relax with Yoga during Your Pregnancy audiotape. Nityananda
Institute, 1989. 60 minutes
Harbira, Francoise. Post Nat al Yoga. Lorenz, 2000.
This is a book of yoga exercises that help women regain fitness, muscle tone, and
strength after childbirth while involving their growing babies in the process. The
exercises work on many levels in a holistic approach to health and fitness; the focus of
the book is the mutual enjoyment of movement and relaxation between mothers and their
growing babies. All the exercises are presented in easily accessible sequences that are
short, simple, and effective as well as totally safe. They are clearly demonstrated in
photos, using ordinary women and their babies rather than models. This book is a
practical invitation for women in our culture to aim at more than just getting back to
normal after childbirth. The ancient tradition of yoga, which brings together spirit, mind,
emotions, and body, can help mothers, and fathers too, exchange greater fulfillment and
joy with their babies during the early months.
Hartway, Tracy. Preparing for childbirth with yoga: A special class for couples. Course
taught at The Yoga Studio, Mill Valley, California, 2000.
Hassanagas, Pavlos K. Yoga for harmonious pregnancy and delivery. Athens, Greece:
International Association of Yoga Science Centres, 1997. Email: yogscience@otenet.gr,
URL: http://www.yoga.org.mk.

___________. Prenatal and postnatal yoga. Athens, Greece: International Association of

Yoga Science Centres, 1998. Email: yogscience@otenet.gr, URL:
http://www.yoga.org.mk.
Hatha yoga for new mothers. American Baby, Feb 1978, pp. 40ff.
Heidelberg, R. Transcendental Meditation in the obstetrical psychoprophylaxis. Was
scheduled for inclusion in Scientific Research on the Transcendental Meditation
Program: Collected Papers, Vol. 2. Rheinweiler, West Germany: Mahraishi European
Research University Press, 1985.
Mothers practicing the TM technique experienced less pain and anxiety during
pregnancy and during birth. A shorter duration of birth and fewer impairments to the
children from the delivery were also noted.
Hoare, Sophie. Yoga and Pregnancy. London: Unwin Paperbacks, 1985.
Houston, R. F., and W. A. Valentine. Complementary and alternative therapies in
perinatal populations: A selected review of the current literature. Journal of Perinatal
and Neonatal Nursing, 1995, 12. (Includes Hatha-Yoga.)
Iyengar, B. K. S. Labour pain. In B. K. S. Iyengar, Light on Yoga. Rev. ed. New York:
Schocken Books, 1979, p. 501.
___________. Metrorrhagia. In B. K. S. Iyengar, Yoga: The Path to Holistic Health.
London/New York: Dorling Kindersley, 2001, pp. 365. (Causes include miscarriage.)
Iyengar, Geeta. Yoga: A Gem for Women. Spokane, Wash.: Timeless Books, 1990.
(Contains several sections on Yoga and pregnancy.)
___________. Answers the question: In the west a lot of women want to do yoga because
they are pregnant although they have not done yoga previously. What should we as yoga
teachers do? Available online: http://www.skys.com.au/women_geeta.html.
Jamieson, Theresa. The Complete Book of Yoga and Meditation for Pregnancy. Sally
Milner Pub., 2000. Reviewed by Jaime Stover Schmitt in Yoga International, Feb/Mar
2001, p. 100.
From the publisher: A safe and natural way to prepare for a wonderful birth
experience[.] Even if you have no prior experience with yoga you can increase your
health, physical tone, and energy using a variety of stretches, positions, and breathing
exercises especially selected for all stages of pregnancy. Harness your inner strength
through visualizations and meditations, including some specifically intended for pregnant
women that focus on the baby in the womb, the miracle of birth, and the wonder of being
a woman. Six half- hour prenatal exercise programs are included, along with dietary
suggestions to help ensure a healthy pregnancy. A section on important skills for labor,
including meditations, positions, and essential oils, will help you ease the pain and make
8

the most of the life-changing experience. Youll also find inspiring birth stories in which
eleven women explain how yoga played a significant role during pregnancy, labor, and
birth, and postpartum programs to help you get back in shape after delivery.
Jordan, Sandra. Yoga for Pregnancy: Safe and Gentle Stretches. New York: St.
Martins Press, 1987. (Also published as Yoga for Pregnancy: Ninety-Two Safe, Gentle
Stretches Appropriate for Pregnant Women and New Mothers. New York: St. Martins
Press, 1988.)
___________. Prenatal yoga: 20 postures, how to do them. Yoga Journal, May/Jun 1982.
See also Sandra Jordans letter to the editor in the Nov/Dec 1982 issue of Yoga Journal
about which asanas to avoid during pregnancy.
Kabir, Kamakshi, and Rahila Jaipal. Yoga in family planning; Should expectant
mothers practice yoga? In Vivekananda Kendra Prakashan, Yoga: The Science of Holistic
Living. Madras, India: In Vivekananda Kendra Prakashan, 1996, pp. 157, 159.
Kalikamurti. Mothers, babies, and yoga. Available online:
http://www.yogalinks.net/Articles/MothersBabiesAndYoga.htm.
Kelly, Gillian. Pregnancy clinic blossoms in Worcestershire (Great Britian). Yoga
Biomedical Bulletin, Summer 1997, no. 35, pp. 4-5.
Khalsa, Bibi Bhani Kaur. Mother and baby yoga. Arizona Networking News, Feb/Mar
2000, p. 14.
Khalsa, Gurmukh Kaur. The Method: Baby & Mom Prenatal Yoga video. Newark,
N.J.: Parade Video, 1999. 60 minutes. Available from Parade Video, 1-800-272-4214.
___________. The Method: Baby & Mom Post Natal Yoga video. Newark, N.J.: Parade
Video, 1999. 60 minutes. Available from Parade Video, 1-800-272-4214.
___________. Four pregnancy yoga exercise sets. At Childbirth at Home Web site:
http://www.socalbirth.org/shelly/yoga.htm.
___________. Pregnancy Yoga and Meditation Teacher Training. For information,
contact Golden Bridge, 5901 West 3rd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90036, tel: 323-936-4172,
email: goldenbridge@altavista.net.
___________. See also the article above by Samantha Dunn entitled Special Delivery.
Koch, Liz. Pregnancy and birth; Releasing the psoas muscle throughout pregnancy. In
Liz Koch, The Psoas Book. 2d ed. Felton, Calif.: Guinea Pig Publications, 1997, pp. 6266; 67.

Komitor, Jodi B., and Eve Adamson. Yoga for postpartum moms and brand- new dads.
In Jodi B. Komitor and Eve Adamson, The Complete Idiots Guide to Yoga with Kids.
New York: Macmillan, 2000.
Lad, Vasant. Ayurvedic home remedies for pregnancy. Yoga & Health, May 1999, pp.
12-13.
Larson, Jyothi, and Ken Howard. Prenatal yoga routine: 5 yoga moves for an expectant
mother. Yoga Voices, Spring 2001, no. 66, p. 6.
___________. Yoga Mom, Buddha Baby: The Yoga Workout for New Moms. New York:
Bantam, 2002.
From the publisher: Based on her work with hundreds of women and their babies, Jyothi
Larson shares the specially adapted yoga poses she teaches in her popular prenatal and
postpartum yoga classes at several New York City yoga studios. Moms new to yoga and
those experienced can follow these series of gentle asanas with their babies at home . . .
This complete guide, with step-by-step instructions and . . . photographs, includes twenty
routines, with chapters on: prenatal yoga, with a focus on the last trimester; what to do
after birth through the first six weeks, with special poses for women who had had csections; modified yoga poses for mom that respect her changing body and give all of
yogas benefitsstretching, strengthening and relaxingthrough her babys first year;
fun yoga moves for babies to encourage their natural flexibility and growth; and
breathing exercises and partner poses . . .
Larson, Laurie. Whos teaching pre- and post-natal yoga [in Chicago]? YOGAChicago,
Jul- Aug 2001, pp. 4-5, 7.
Lasater, Judith. Yoga for pregnancy. Yoga Journal, Jan/Feb 1994, pp. 89-98.
___________. Postures for pregnancy. Yoga International, Mar 2000, pp. 56-59.
___________. Teaching Yoga to Pregnant Women workshop. 6th Annual Yoga Journal
Convention, 27-30 Sep 2001, Estes Park, Colorado.
___________. ESutra Yoga Therapy forum, 3 Aug 2001: Judiths posting on pregancy
and the importance of avoiding inversions.
Leboyer, Frederick. Inner Beauty, Inner Light: Yoga for Pregnant Women. New York:
Alfred A. Knopf, 1978. (Originally published in French as Cette lumire do vient
lenfant. Paris: Seuil, 1978.)
Liebers, Arthur. How to achieve painless childbirth through yoga. In Arthur Liebers,
Relax with Yoga. New York: Bell Publishing, 1960, pp. 90-92.

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Mackintosh, Sarah. Teaching tips: Yoga and pregnancy. Yoga & Health, May 1999, p.
May 1999. See also follow-up comment on p. 34 of July 1999 issue.
Macy, Dayna. Pregnant pause: Two months before my twins were due, my doctor put
me on strict bed rest. Yoga Journal, Sep/Oct 2000, pp. 137-140. (On adapting asanas to
the requirement for bed rest.)
McCafferty, Tracy Games. Labor of love: Ease into childbirth without drugs or
surgerywith the help of a popular Dutch system called pregnancy yoga. Yoga
Journal, Jan/Feb 1997, pp. 85-92.
McDowell, Dimity. Baby ommmm: Postnatal yoga classes provide playtime for babies
and me-time for moms. Yoga Journal, May/Jun 2001, p. 20.
Medigrace. Medigrace is collecting information about research being conducted on
meditation and childbirth to support its newest program on calm birth. Contact
Medigrace, 140 High Street, Ashland, OR 97520, medgrace@mind.net,
www.mind.net/medigrace.
Mehta, Silva, Mira Mehta, and Shyam Mehta. Pregnancy cautions and pregnancy
recommendations. In Silva , Mira, and Shyam Mehta, Yoga: The Iyengar Way. New
York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1992, pp. 14, 17, 49, 69, 79, 95, 133, 145, 187.
Millen, Colleen. Ana Forrestthe pregnancy perspective. YOGAChicago, Jul- Aug 2001,
p. 35.
Miller, Catherine. Making a difference: Yoga in pregnancy! Birth Gazette, Dec 1996,
13(1):34-35.
Miller, Elise Browning. Yoga for the baby blues. Yoga Journal, May/Jun 1981, pp. 1418. (Postpartum yoga program.)
Monro, Robin, R. Nagarathna, and H. R. Nagendra. [Cautions about asana practice
during pregnancy.] In Robin Monro, R. Nagarathna, and H. R. Nagendra. Yoga for
Common Ailments. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1990, p. 17.
Moore, Marcia, and Mark Douglas. Pregnancy. In Marcia Moore and Mark Douglas,
Diet, Sex, and Yoga. York, Me.: Arcane Publications, 1966, 1970, p. 247.
Moos, Jeanne. A new generation goes gaga over yoga. CNN.com. URL:
http://www.cnn.com/US/9808/21/fringe/baby.yoga/index.html. (On the use of HathaYoga in bonding sessions for mothers and their infant children.)
Morse, Kali. Prenatal Workshop for Teachers. 5th Annual Integral Yoga Teachers
Conference, 30 Aug - 3 Sep, 2001, Satchidananda Ashram - Yogaville, Buckingham,
Virginia. Email: iyi@yogaville.org.

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Muktananda Saraswati, Swami. Pregnancy. In Swami Muktananda Saraswati under the

guidance of Swami Satyananda Saraswati, Nawa Yogini Tantra. Munger, Bihar, India:
The Bihar School of Yoga, 1977, 1998, pp. 162-182.
Narendran, Shamantakamani. Effect of yoga in intrauterine growth retarded
pregnancy: A study. In H. R. Nagendra, R. Ragarathna, and S. Telles, Yoga Research &
Applications: Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Frontiers in Yoga
Research and Applications. Bangalore, Vivekananda Kendra Yoga Research Foundation,
2000, pp. 212-214.
___________, R. Nagarathna, and H. R. Nagendra. Yoga for the unborn child: Effect
of yogic relaxation techniques on IUGR children. Swami Vivekananda Yoga Research
Foundation.
Noble, Elizabeth. Essential Exercises for the Childbearing Year. Harwich, Mass.: New
Life Images, 1995.
OBrien, Jeannine. Prenatal Yoga and Natural Birth. Albion, Calif.: Freestone, 1974.

OBrien, Paddy. Birth and Our Bodies: Exercises and Meditations for the Childbearing
Year and Preparation for Active Birth. London: Pandora, 1986.
Oki, Masahiro. Feminine health care: Menstrual irregularities and natural child-birth
preparation. Healing Yourself through Okido Yoga. Tokyo: Japan Publications, 1977, pp.
103-114.
___________. Easy childbirth. In Masahiro Oki, Zen Yoga Therapy. Tokyo: Japan
Publications, 1979, pp. 213-224.
Olkin, Sylvia Klein. Positive Pregnancy Fitness: A Guide to a More Comfortable
Pregnancy and Easier Birth Through Exercises and Relaxation. Wayne, N. J.: Avery
Publishing Group, 1988.
Sylvia Klein is a long-time yoga instructor who developed the Positive Pregnancy
Fitness program, a prenatal health care program that is now taught in more than 30 states.
Positive Pregnancy Fitness presents a gentle and sensible approach to exercise that
incorporates yoga with nutrition and stress management.
___________. Positive Pregnancy Through Yoga: Techniques, Exercises, and Postures
to Ensure an Easy Labor and a Healthy Mother and Baby. Englewood Cliffs, N.J.:
Prentice-Hall, 1981.
Oprah television program. April 6, 2001, episode on the healing power of Yoga.

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See the segment in which Kandice, who was depressed and exhausted to the point of
insomnia following her pregnancy, found instant relief through Yoga.
Parker, DeAnsin Goodson. Yoga Baby. New York: Broadway Books, 2000. Reviewed
by Phil Catalfo in the Jul/Aug 2000 issue of Yoga Journal.
From the publisher: Begin a healthy relationship with your baby through the innovative
Yoga Baby methods developed by DeAnsin Goodson Parker, Ph.D., a licensed child
psychologist and certified yoga instructor. From deep relaxation massage to postures
enhancing specific developmental stages, these exercises are designed for newborns
through two-year-olds and offer a wonderful opportunity to lay a solid foundation for a
lifetime of learning and bonding together.
Patrick, Priscilla. Priscillas Yoga Stretches for Expectant Mothers video. URL:
http://yogaone.com/cgi-bin/leeshop/open.pl.
From the website: Priscilla and her daughter- in-law, Kim, who is 7 months pregnant in
this video, produced [this] workout for expectant mothers and their families. There are
two separate workouts, each at 18 minutes in length containing over 20 different stretches
and postures. The exercises in this video were carefully worked out in actual classroom
situations with expectant mothers in varying stages of pregnancy. In addition, the
completed program was previewed and unanimously approved by doctors of obstetrics
and gynecology. The exercises in this video cassette are perfectly safe in all stages of a
normal, healthy pregnancy.
Post natal rehab. Available online: http://www.yogamedicine.com/postnatalrehab.htm.
Pregnancy and yoga. Available online: http://www.healthandyoga.com/html/preg.html.
Pregnancy, Parenthood and Yoga. Santacruz, Bombay, India: The Yoga Institute.
Prenatal yoga. Available online: http://www.yogamedicine.com/prenatalyoga.htm.
Rabinowitz, Diane. Pregnancy yoga. Available online: http://
www.prosperity.com/yogaeast/preg.htm.
Raman, Dr. Krishna. The pregnant woman and yoga. In Dr. Krishna Raman, A Matter
of Health: Integration of Yoga and Western Medicine for Prevention and Cure. Chennai
(Madras), India: Eastwest Books, 1998, pp. 153-188. (Includes pre- and postnatal
periods.)
Ramaswami, Srivatsa. Yoga for women. In Srivatsa Ramaswami, Yoga for the Three
Stages of Life: Developing Your Practice as an Art Form, a Physical Therapy, and a
Guiding Philosophy. Rochester, Vt.: Inner Traditions International, 2000, pp. 212-226.
(On Yoga for pregnancy, both pre- and postnatal, childbirth, and contraception.)

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Rea, Shiva. Yoga Journals Prenatal Yoga with Shiva Rea. Living Arts, 2000. 60
minutes. Reviewed by Richard Rosen in the Nov/Dec 2000 issue of Yoga Journal.
Richard Rosen: This is among the best of the prenatal videos weve reviewed in the past
decade, and gets the highest recommendation.
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Colo.: Yoga-Med, 1999. Available from Yoga-Med, 1-800-693-TAPE.
Can . . . be suitable for post-partum incontinence.
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pp., 157-161.

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Sivamurti Saraswati, Swami. Yoga and pregnancy. Yoga (Sivananda Math), May 1999,
10(3):24-27
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___________. Pregnancy Todays advisory panel answers: What yoga positions should I
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Co., 1977.

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Tomlinson, Julie. Yoga for new moms: Pre- and post-natal. Available online:
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From a review at Amazon.com: I Cant Believe Its Yoga for Pregnancy will show
women that yoga is the best way to stay in shape and prepare for childbirth. By relieving
stress and discomfort, yoga is a safe, natural alternative for expectant mothers (and
fathers too!). Beautifully photographed, with exercises for every stage of pregnancy. Also
included are breathing exercises and relaxation techniques that can be used during labor
and childbirth, plus specific postpartum exercises to help women restore their level of
fitness and muscle tone. (The author describes herself as a personal and yoga trainer.)
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practiced for years on the best way to utilize yoga safely during their pregnancy. Readers
will learn the most suitable methods and breathing techniques for each stage of
pregnancy, as well as specific exercises that can offer relief from common pregnancyrelated discomforts, such as heartburn, fluid retention, aches and pains, dizziness, and
more.
The book is broken down by trimester, offering routines appropriate for each stage of
the pregnancy. Each exercise is explained carefully in text and accompanied by easy-tounderstand, step-by-step photographs. Not only is yoga an ideal and safe method of

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exercise during pregnancy, it also can enhance awareness of muscles that will be used
during labor and childbirth.
The book was reviewed and endorsed by a prenatal expert and teacher from the National
Childbir th Trust in London.
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Yogendra, Sitadevi. [Menstruation, pregnancy and intra-abdominal compression]; Sex
and motherhood (includes: The sex glands, Glandular secretions and health, Eroticism
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detrimental to health, Yoga directives on sex, Healthy motherhood for healthy progeny,
Care of the pelvic organs, Matsyasana, Paryankasana, Ardha-sarvangasana,
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Bombay, India: The Yoga Institute, 1947, pp. 80; 82-103; 115; 117.

Of Related Interest
Rees, B. Effect of relaxation with guided imagery on anxiety, depression
and self-esteem in primiparas. Journal of Holistic Nursing, 1995, 13:255-267.
This research with 60 first-time mothers showed that those who practiced guided imagery
during the first 4 weeks after giving birth had less anxiety and depression and more selfesteem and confidence than their counterparts who did not use guided imagery.

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