(Feeling good and relaxed after a much needed yoga class)

During my pregnancy, I did not have back pain. Fortunately, I had a good and pretty easy pregnancy, without complications. Fast forward two plus years and I have been carrying around a baby, now a toddler, every day. I carry her a lot less now that she is a toddler than I did when she was a baby, but I still can’t seem to get rid of some of the pains associated with carrying around a heavy baby. I particularly seem to have pain in my shoulder, sciatica, and occasional back pain. The tendonitis I had seems to have subsided a bit.

(I continued to do light cardio exercises during my pregnancy, 8 months pregnant here)

I am not one to like to take pain pills immediately for aches. I first try to rest, drink water, look up homeopathic options, and in this case therapy through stretches and yoga. I have practiced yoga on and off for many years. I am not a yogi or at an advanced level. I know the basic poses and usually take yoga classes offered at the gym or at resorts when we vacation. I also have a few yoga videos I have done at home. Recently, I looked for a yoga video on Youtube that would specifically have stretches for sciatica and back pain. After scanning through a few videos, I found the video listed below. The instructor, Jen Hilman,  is a certified to teach yoga and received training in Thai Yoga Massage. I find her voice and demeanor to be calming. I have done her video several times, once even with my friend Lola at a gym downtown. I follow along and do the stretches as best I can. Initially, I thought the intro was a bit long, but now I appreciate it and like how she prepares viewers for the yoga session through breathing. Jen also provides helpful tips throughout the video. When I don’t have forty minutes to do the entire video, I try to do most of the stretches. By now, I have learned how to do most of the stretches properly. Sometimes, I will even do a quick ten minute cool-down with some of these stretches at the end of my exercise workout. I have also done parts of the video int he evening at home, to get into a relaxed mode before I go to sleep. Not only does Jen’s video help with my aches, it also helps me relax and feel in zen, which is wonderful!

I wrote this post because I want to share with you things that I find which are helpful. These are things I try to incorporate to my lifestyle as a busy woman, mom, wife, and professional. It is good for us to stretch our bodies, and lubricate our joints naturally through exercise and movement. If you like yoga, hopefully you’ll enjoy this video. If you never done yoga, this is a great beginners level and has mostly stretches, not any challenging poses. If you feel like you don’t have time to do an exercise video, at least start with five minutes per day, then work up to ten or fifteen minutes. This video is so easy to follow and relaxing, that I could probably even do it lying down in my living room while watching television in the evening (and following the video on my phone screen). I hope you like this video as much as I do!

(Feeling happy & good after a yoga class)

It is too soon to know if these stretches are helping with my aches, but I have noticed some improvement since I’ve been doing them. Jen has other yoga videos in her Youtube channel, you can find them by clicking here. Below is a link to Jen’s video: Yoga Stretches for Back Pain Relief, Sciatica, Neck Pain & Flexibility, Beginners Level Workout. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do! But, do remember to consult your doctor before you begin any exercise regimen, including yoga.

Have you done yoga before? What do you do to relax at the end of the day?

Hugs,

Paola

Video from: YouTube Psyche Truth Channel