Preparing for Birth with Yoga: Empowering and Effective Exercise for Pregnancy and Childbirth

Yoga is a deeply effective exercise system for the months of pregnancy, childbirth and beyond. Completely unstrenuous, it can provide the key to a relaxed and enjoyable pregnancy, activating the energy that empowers us to give birth to a new life.
Beautifully illustrated throughout, this inspiring book is the most comprehensive and practical handbook ever written on the use of yoga in pregnancy. Preparing for Birth with Yoga explains why we need yoga in pregnancy and how it can prepare us effectively for giving birth; how the force of gravity influences our bodies beneficially during pregnancy and birth; gentle and safe easy-to-follow yoga exercises graded for the beginner as well as the more advanced practitioner; how yoga can relieve stress, strengthen the body and help it to become more supple; and how this book can be used as an authoritative reference manual for midwives, antenatal and yoga teachers.

Janet Balaskas is a pioneer and innovator in the field of childbirth and maternity care. She is the founder of the well-known and influential Active Birth Movement and is the preeminent pregnancy and childbirth writer and expert of our time; Janet is internationally recognised by mothers and midwives alike as THE name in yoga for pregnancy and natural, self-empowering approaches to the birth experience. Janet now runs the International Active Birth Centre in London, lectures internationally and is a well-known campaigner for women's rights in childbirth. She is the author of several books, including Water Birth, New Active Birth, Natural Pregnancy and The Encyclopedia of Pregnancy and Birth.