Most yoga teachers get pregnant women in their classes from time to time. Many women have practiced yoga for years when they become pregnant, and wonder if they can continue their practice during pregnancy. Women with normal pregnancies usually can,* and it’s important for both yoga teachers and pregnant students to learn safe modifications and general guidelines. 

There is a lot of advice out there, often conflicting and often overly cautious. For example, in Yoga Mala Sri K. Pattabhi Jois writes that “pregnant women who have crossed into the fourth month should abstain from doing asanas.” In the west pregnant women are usually advised to start prenatal yoga after their first trimester, and modern medical research shows that moderate physical activity is highly beneficial throughout pregnancy. So who can you trust?

I think the final authority has to be the woman herself (with the approval of her doctor). Every woman and every pregnancy is different, and the only way to know what is right is for the woman to listen to her intuition. If something feels good, go ahead. If not, stop. Listen to your body, go slowly, and move gradually in and out of poses.

That said, there are some good guidelines and general advice that all yoga teachers and pregnant yoga students should know about. If you are a teacher, take the time to learn about the requirements of the different trimesters and how to assess pregnant students coming to your class. If you are a pregnant practitioner, educate yourself so you know your options. A few good resources to check out:

Pregnancy Modifications for Experienced Students by Tim Miller

Ashtanga Yoga Practice During Pregnancy by Betty Lai

Tools for Teaching Prenatal Yoga: The First Trimester by Brenda Plakans
Tools for Teaching Prenatal Yoga: The Second Trimester by Brenda Plakans
Tools for Teaching Prenatal Yoga: The Third Trimester by Brenda Plakans

* Important: If you are new to yoga, sign up for a prenatal class. Prenatal classes are usually tailored to women who have no previous yoga experience.