Finding Your Flow in Trimester One

If you've found your way to this page, I assume you are expecting and in the early weeks of your pregnancy. First, congratulations! Second, take a long, slow, deep breath. This is a really sacred time that can also be a really challenging time. I am currently in my second pregnancy, so I can relate to the different emotions and physical feelings that each trimester brings. Today I want to focus on trimester one, and provide you with a free, online class that will help you find your flow on and off the mat.

Mentally, trimester one can be testing. You're adjusting to the idea of either becoming a mother or adding another child to your family. Physically, your body is adjusting to pregnancy hormones and the mental discomfort or dis-ease that can come from that. While this is different for every body, as most things are, there are some really common themes in trimester one. Many women deal with fears that arise as they navigate the early weeks of pregnancy.

Is my body capable of growing this human? How different will life look in a year from now? What if I don't have what my baby needs?

The thoughts and limiting beliefs that can enter our minds are normal. But I'm here to tell you that with a mindfulness and yoga practice, you can find comfort and ease throughout each trimester. You can also find that sitting in the discomfort, or sitting with your fears. can be really empowering and uplifting. We shouldn't run from our fears, but rather listen to them... ask them why they're there. What are they trying to tell us about ourselves and how we view our life and the world?

With my Trimester One Flow, I focus on several intentions. First, on helping you find grounding so you can better handle any fears that are present and also feel safe in your body. This practice, and most of what I practice in trimester one, is focused on the root chakra. The root chakra is in balance when you feel grounded and safe. During pregnancy and childbirth, it's important to trust your intuition, instincts, and your care team. If you have worries about your own well-being or the well-being of your baby, it can cause our root chakra to be out of balance. As I mentioned, all of these fears are common and normal, so focusing on the root chakra not only during trimester one, but all throughout your pregnancy is beneficial to feel that safety and peace we all want to experience while growing life.

Another focus of this class is on improving flexibility, not only for your growing and changing body but also to help prepare you for labor. Yoga is known for helping us with flexibility. Most often, people assume this means flexibility of the body. While this is true, flexibility of the mind is one of the greatest results of a dedicated yoga practice.

Lastly, we focus on building strength and honoring the strength that you have. We want to focus on viewing our growing, changing bodies as capable, not as a body that is "losing" its power or strength with each trimester. A pregnant woman has all the strength, physically and mentally, inside of her. With our yoga practice we can reveal these strengths and honor the body in each changing phase.

Pregnancy is a beautiful, powerful experience and sometimes it feels that way and other times it might not, so this practice will help you tap into your strengths and feel safe in your body.

What precautions should you take during trimester one? Feeling safe goes hand in hand with trusting your intuition and listening to your body. While practicing, if something feels good, keep doing it. If it doesn't, stop. With the pregnancy hormone relaxin, there is softening in your joints so you want to be mindful that you don’t over extend or stretch too far into a pose. We also want to be aware of not doing any intense abdominal work due to how delicate our uterus is at this time. Prenatal yoga teaches us a ton about listening to our body and trusting our intuition.

Click below to practice with me. As always, please leave any comments with suggestions for future online yoga classes. Stay tuned for Trimester 2 and 3 flows as well as mommy and me classes!