Daniela Knaan
UX/UI Designer at - AdobeSpring and Stretching
As we transition into spring, we meet the opportunity to explore expansion and stretches within our practice.
Just like the world around us awakens from its winter slumber, spring invites us to expand our awareness, our bodies, and our spirits. It’s a time of renewal, growth, and rejuvenation. Let’s embrace this energy of expansion and use it to deepen our stretches, both physically and mentally.
In our practice, we’ll focus on opening ourselves up to new possibilities, just as the flowers bloom and the trees reach for the sun. With each breath, we’ll invite space into our bodies, allowing ourselves to stretch a little further, to release any tension or stagnation that may have built up during the colder months.
What are the benefits?
- Relief from Aches and Pains: Pregnancy can often bring discomfort and muscle tension as your body adapts to the changes. Gentle stretching helps alleviate these aches and pains by releasing tension and promoting better circulation.
- Improved Flexibility and Range of Motion: Regular stretching helps to maintain and improve flexibility, which can be especially beneficial during pregnancy as your body undergoes various changes. Increased flexibility can also aid in preparing the body for labor and childbirth.
- Reduction of Stress and Anxiety: Pregnancy can be a time of heightened emotions and stress. Stretching, particularly when combined with deep breathing techniques, promotes relaxation and helps to reduce anxiety levels. It allows you to connect with your body and baby in a calming and nurturing way.
- Enhanced Posture and Alignment: Maintaining good posture becomes increasingly important with the changing gravity center in your body. Stretching exercises focus on strengthening and lengthening the muscles, which can help improve your posture and spinal alignment, thereby reducing the risk of common pregnancy-related issues such as back pain.
- Preparation for Labor and Birth: Certain stretching poses and exercises practiced in prenatal yoga classes can help to prepare your body for labor and childbirth. These stretches often target the pelvic floor muscles, hips, and lower back, helping to increase flexibility and strength for labor and delivery.
- Promotion of Better Sleep: You might struggle with sleep disturbances due to discomfort or anxiety. Stretching before bedtime can help to relax the body and mind, promoting better sleep quality and duration.
- Bonding with Baby: Gentle stretching poses may encourage you to connect with your growing baby. and cultivate connection and presence with your baby, fostering a deeper bond.
What do you have to be aware of when stretching in pregnancy?
In pregnancy, your body releases the hormone relaxin, which prepares your body for labor. Relaxin causes the tissue and ligaments to be softer and therefore more flexible.
To prevent injury you should not challenge yourself to too deep stretches or stretches you feel make you exceed your limits.
Enjoy this Video!
Final Words
Whether pregnant or not, and whether it is springtime or autumn, stretches always make you feel good! It is the perfect kind of movement you can choose when you feel you ought to do sth but are not in for some heavy workout.
Let me know in the comments how stretches make you feel and what they help you most with!
