Morning Sickness: Hopefully any morning sickness you experienced in the first trimester is over and you are feeling a lot better physically. If your nausea is lingering, continue to take it easy on yourself.
Going Public: By the second trimester, most women feel comfortable sharing the fact that they are pregnant. If you are still trying to keep it quiet and have not started to show, it is still important to tell any yoga teacher that you are pregnant and how far along you are so he can adapt the type of adjustments they will give you.
New Yogis: If you have never done yoga before, the second trimester is the perfect time to start. Make sure to find a prenatal yoga class with an experienced teacher. Many women explore yoga for the first time during pregnancy, so don't worry that you will be the only new yogi in class.
Experienced Yogis: You are probably starting to find that your regular yoga classes are a bit too intense and any prenatal classes that previously seemed too gentle are feeling more your speed. Of course, there is no reason to give up your regular classes if you still feel strong and are able to incorporate your own adaptations to poses that are not appropriate as your belly grows (see the next page). One wonderful thing you can get from attending prenatal yoga classes, however, is a chance to meet and compare notes with other pregnant women. This can prove an invaluable source of support and information.
Home Practitioners: Likewise, even if you are an avid home practitioner, you may want to try attending a prenatal yoga class once or twice a week for the camaraderie and sense of community these classes foster. When you do practice at home, be sure to include Prenatal Sun Salutations.
Recommended Poses: Hip openers like Pigeon, Warrior II, Triangle, Ardha Chandrasana, Baddha Konasana, and Knee to Ankle will help create the flexibility that will make giving birth easier.
All fours positions like Cat - Cow can help get the baby into the optimal position for birth (head down, back to your belly.)
