Pregnancy can be a time of joy, a blossoming period for both mother and child. It is also a time when many mothers-to-be start to think about taking better care of themselves since they are responsible for another life. But what is the best way and where to begin?
Pregnancy care is a big part of a soon-to-be mother’s life. There are books, websites, and other media available concerning what to expect and how to best handle being pregnant. Many sources are conflicting, and it can be a confusing time for a mother and her family, especially if this is her first child. Some women experience highs and lows and even panic periods as their pregnancy progresses. So where can a women turn for information and help?
Sadhguru tells us about the great care and wisdom that pregnant women were treated with in Indian culture.
Sadhguru: In India, so much care was taken about what should be around when a woman is pregnant. What type of people she should or should not see, what she should read and not read, what type of smell should get into her – her whole atmosphere was controlled. These days it is all gone. Pregnant women are going to the office, sitting in the cinema, sitting in the bar – it is a different scene now. Otherwise, once a woman was pregnant, she was taken care of like she was a precious jewel because that is what makes the difference as to what kind of impressions you put into the fetus. What kind of impressions the woman puts into herself also go into the child that is being born. Not only that, it is also very important how you keep yourself before the fetus has taken on life, because you want to attract a life which is better than yourself.
So conception itself was taken care of. If two people got married, before any kind of consummation happens, the first thing was they went to the temple and spent time there. Only then were they supposed to consummate and conceive, because they do not want to produce a child who is just like themselves. They want to attract another life which is a little better than them. So on every level, from conception to all aspects, care was taken so that life happens in the best possible way right from day one.
Pregnancy Care Initiatives
Isha Thaimai – India
Isha offers several initiatives that make pregnancy a joy, and ensure a healthy mother and child.
“Isha Thaimai” is an initiative specially designed for pregnant mothers to bring more awareness about the pregnancy period and teach them how to keep their body, mind, and emotion in a pleasant way, in order to experience a joyful pregnancy.
Isha Kriya
Designed by Sadhguru, Isha Kriya is a simple yet potent meditation which makes one drop of spirituality available to every human being. This powerful spiritual process is available as a free online guided meditation, and is also offered in sessions around the world conducted by Isha volunteers. Daily practice of this simple 12-18 minute practice brings health and wellbeing.
Inner Engineering
Isha’s Inner Engineering Program offers Shambhavi Mahamudra, an ancient kriya that brings harmony to one’s body, mind, emotion and energy. Inner Engineering isn’t a pregnancy-specific program either. It is a simple but powerful process from the yogic sciences to purify the system and increase health and inner well being. Although not all types of yogic practices are advisable for pregnant women, the practice of yoga is very important and even crucial in making an expectant mother’s experience of pregnancy, child birth and parenthood as wonderful as it can be.
We take a look at the experiences of two Isha Yoga practitioners, and how Shambhavi has helped with their pregnancies.
“I did the Inner Engineering Program with Sadhguru while I was pregnant. Everyone at Isha was so positive, happy and kind. Their energy was so infectious that I wanted to be as high on life as they were. I always felt as though I was in safe hands and that the people at Isha Australia really knew their stuff. They helped and guided me in doing my daily kriya even with my rapidly changing body. I did the kriya right up until the night before I delivered. The effect was profound both on me as well as my beautiful baby.
As I did my daily kriya and the energy started to rise within me, I connected to my unborn baby so deeply that I felt as though we knew each other completely even before the birth. I felt one with her almost as though our very atoms were merged. In fact, I still do.
My pregnancy, which was classified as the highest risk due to some previous health problems, was a breeze. My obstetrician, physician and other specialists were shocked at how uncomplicated the pregnancy turned out to be. Charlotte came into the world so peacefully and gently. She has been calm, satisfied and alert from the moment of her birth. She has slept through the night from day one and is fascinated with nature.
I have been different too. No longer do I feel the pressure to rush through my day and skip the details. I enjoy each moment as though there is no past or future. I used to think that this would mean I would get nothing done, but in fact I am accomplishing more than ever before.” – Joanna Neale, Australia
“I am 7 months pregnant now and am still practicing kriya every morning. I feel energetic and when I sleep at night, it is sound and deep, which was not the case in the past. Therefore, it is very good for my baby because I can sleep peacefully at night.
Every morning after yoga, I feel weightless. The feeling is fantastic. I start to notice birds singing outside the window and appreciate life more now. My husband signed me on to Inner Engineering last year because I got carried away by my career and business; the pressure was unbearable.
Now, I am peaceful and enjoy every moment. My temper is easing, which is good for my husband and my pregnancy. In return, my husband is going to the Inner Engineering this May in Malaysia. We understand that to love people around us, is to first love and take care of ourselves.” – Odessa, Malaysia
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