If you have never practiced yoga before or have some health risks, you would benefit from a pregnancy yoga routine class specifically designed for pregnant students, usually called Prenatal Yoga.  If you are a regular practitioner of yoga or other physical exercise, you should look for a yoga teacher who is able to give advice about how to modify postures in a regular class. 

All pregnant yogis can benefit from focus on the structure, muscles, and support of the pelvis.  Mula bandha helps develop a stronger and more flexible set of perineal muscles, more awareness of the pelvic area, and greater ease in the future delivery of the baby. 

And check out this resource- 10 Ways to Avoid Complications During Pregnancy.

Pregnancy Yoga Routine for the First Trimester

Here are some general guidelines for Yoga in the First Trimester: 

• Take it easy as your body is adjusting to changing hormones and energy.

• Stay with simple and deep inhales and exhales or ujjayi breathing.

• Do not jolt the body by jumping into asana

• Minimize twists as they may restrict the air flow to the baby.

• You can still lie on your belly until you are showing.

• Develop pelvic awareness with Supta baddha konasana (reclined bound angle pose), Virasana (thunderbolt pose), Upavista konasana (wide-angle forward fold pose), Gomukhasana (cow faced pose), Happy baby, and Malasana (garland pose).

• Learn a variety of shoulder strengtheners and openers.

• Practice poses that open hips and stimulate circulation in the legs like Utthita Trikonasa (Triangle pose) and Utthita Parsvakonasana (Extended side angle pose.)

• Look for a good bolster (paid link) as you will need it in the second trimester!

Pregnancy Yoga Routine for the Second Trimester

If you want to practice yoga while in your second trimester, here are some tips: 

• The second trimester is the perfect time to build strength and stamina to prepare for the challenges that will happen as the baby grows.

• The pelvis is no longer protecting the uterus so it is time to start adapting poses with props like bolsters (paid link) and blocks (paid link) .

• Avoid jarring movements like Navasana (boat pose.)

• Work on alignment of the spine with bridge roll practice.

• Use folded blankets (paid link) to support the ribs and hips while laying on the stomach.

• Practice standing poses to build strength in the legs, hips, and pelvis.

• Explore hips openers like Bharadvajrasana (Sage Bharadvaj's pose) and Marichyasana A (Sage Marichi's pose).

• Relax with legs up the wall or raising legs with a bolster in savasana.

• Be aware of sensations when lying on your back.  Start propping the back, hips, and shoulders.

Pregnancy Yoga Routine for the Third Trimester

Tips for yoga in the third trimester: 

• Limit time lying on the back as the weight of the baby puts pressure on the spine.

• You may notice weakness in the knees and instability in the sacroiliac and other joints.

• Continue working on postural alignment to give support to the spine.

• You may find chair yoga supportive in some standing and sitting poses.

• After week 34, adho mukha svanasana (down dog) and other inversions can cause breech presentation.

• Enjoy a bolster (paid link) in long holds like Supta Baddha Konasana (see picture above).

• Rest on your side in savasana with a props between the knees, under the head, and under the upper arm.

• Always keep breath flow to the baby.

• Widen the legs in seated forward folds to create space for the stomach

Learn all you need to know about Prenatal Yoga with this program, Pain Management Through Yoga for Pregnancy.