Supine twist during first trimester

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amhume
Posts: 2
Joined: Wed Jan 06, 2016 4:12 am

Supine twist during first trimester

Post by amhume »

Hi there,
I discovered the beauty of yin yoga about 1.5 years ago, and have been practicing at home and studio ever since, along with my yang practice.
I find the benefits of a yin practice to be very rich. I've read several of the posts in this section of the forum, but I am wondering specifically about whether you consider it safe to practice supine twist during the first trimester.
There seems to be conflicting information out there, and the info I have found regarding twists specifically is more relevant to a yang practice.
With gratitude,
A.
Bernie
Posts: 1292
Joined: Sat Sep 23, 2006 2:25 am
Location: Vancouver

Yin and pregnancy

Post by Bernie »

Glad to hear you are enjoying Yin Yoga!

Is Yin Yoga safe during the 1st trimester? Yes, no and maybe! Every woman is different and every pregnancy is unique as well, even for the same woman. What worked before may not work now. Better than giving out one prescription and hoping it works for every body and for all time is to learn how to figure out what works for you today.

It is not surprising to find so many different views on what to do during pregnancy: most of these pieces of advice, well-meaning as they are, are based on someone’s anecdotal experience – “so and so did such and such and it was really bad for her, or really good for her.” While these events are undoubtedly real, can we really extrapolate from that one case to another situation? Everyone is unique.

If a twist is not healthy for you or your baby, you will feel that. It doesn’t matter if it is 1st or 3rd trimester: if the twist feels uncomfortable, don’t do it! Pregnancy is a good time to reflect on your intentions: why are you doing yoga? Is it to be as flexible and bendy as you possibly can be, or is it to be healthy: to be strong, increase endurance and gain or maintain a useful range of motion? If your intention is health over performance, then there is no need to try to go as deep as you possible can in a twist (or in any other posture). Given this intention, develop you ability to pay attention: how do you feel in the posture? How do you feel coming out? How do you feel the next day? Over time you can become your own teacher, doctor, specialist in your health and how to optimize it.

So, should you do twists in the first trimester, in yin or yoga forms of yoga? Who knows?!

Well, actually – you and your baby know.
amhume
Posts: 2
Joined: Wed Jan 06, 2016 4:12 am

Post by amhume »

Thank you for your reply, Bernie. I'm grateful for your advice. I think perhaps I was looking for an "easy way out", a universal yes or no, but of course you are correct - the answer is within me. Which is somehow simpler and more complex all at once! Now my job is to listen close. I'm grateful for the training my yin practice has provided me with in terms of tuning in to self. Thank you for your support and guidance,
A.
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