Prenatal:

• Creates feeling of greater vitality and positive outlook
• As the fetus grows, mom’s heart must work harder to pump more blood to the uterus. Her uterus is receiving one fifth of her blood supply by the end of her pregnancy.
• Massage provides emotional support and a nurturing touch
• The amount of blood being pumped by her heart increases 30-50%. Now mom’s heart rate is closer to 80 or 90 beats per minute compared to a rate of closer to 70 beats per minute before pregnancy.
• With the increasing blood flow, Mom’s kidneys are working harder to filter the waste.
• Assists in maintaining proper posture
• Swelling in the legs and feet can occur as the uterus enlarges and slows the return of blood from the lower extremities and pelvic area to the heart.
• As the uterus grows mom’s posture changes and her spine curves to help balance the increased weight of the baby.
• Aids with relaxation and decreased insomnia
• Provides stress relief on weight-bearing joints, such as ankles, lower back and pelvis
• Relieves neck and back pain relief caused by muscle imbalance and weakness
• Prepares the muscles used during childbirth
• Lessens sciatic pain and reduces the experience of calf cramps
• Soothes headache and sinus congestion relief.
• Helps mom's body to eliminate waste products through the lymphatic and circulatory systems, which combat fatigue and helps the mother feel more energetic.
• By aiding circulation, massage eases the load on mom's heart and helps to keep her blood pressure in check.
• Muscular discomforts, such as cramping, tightening, stiffness, tension, and knots, can all be alleviated.
• Aids in carrying away the lactic acid and other cellular waste products that build up and cause muscle fatigue.
• May help relieve depression or anxiety caused by hormonal changes mom is experiencing.
• Relieves many of the normal discomforts during pregnancy, such as backaches, a stiff neck, leg cramps, headaches, edema, and sore, swollen ankles and feet.
• Increases local and general blood circulation, which brings more oxygen and nutrients to the cells of both the mother and fetus. This means greater vitality and less fatigue for mom and better nourishment for her baby.
• Stimulates glandular secretions, which helps stabilize hormone levels.
• May be helpful in relieving depression or anxiety caused by hormonal changes mom is experiencing.
• Relaxes tense muscles and tones loose muscles, and can also increase muscular flexibility. Flexibility will be most helpful during the last trimester and during the birth itself.
• Helps to soothe and relax nervous tension, which helps the mother sleep more easily and more deeply. Incidentally, doctors all agree that a relaxed mother will have a happier, healthier pregnancy and possibly an easier childbirth experience, too.
• Can be used during the birth to make it easier and more comfortable for mom, and after the birth as well, to help her regain her strength more quickly and ease postpartum stress.

Postnatal:

• Helps restore the womb and body to its original conditional, quickening the mother's overall return to health.
• Facilitate weight loss.
• Rejuvenates skin and complexion.
• Reduce stress caused by nursing; enhances milk flow and blood circulation
• Reduces swelling
• Facilitates the healing of a Cesarean section birth
• Encourages the flow of lymph and speeds the elimination of toxins from your body
• Calms your nervous system, producing much needed relaxation
• Defines the shapes and contours of your body to bring a renewed sense of body image and self esteem
• Relieves emotional and physical stress that result from being sleep deprived
• Eases muscle aches and pains that result from nursing and carrying your newborn

Combined Benefits of Yoga & Massage

• Taking time for yourself during pregnancy can be uplifting emotionally
• Eases backaches, headaches, shoulder and neck aches that may be caused by muscle tension and shifts in posture to accommodate increasing weight
• Decreases pain in the pelvic/hip area
• Increases circulation
• Improves digestion
• Reduces fatigue
• Improves skin elasticity that can help reduce stretch marks
• Helps reduce swelling in such places as hands and lower legs
• Can alleviate the stress on weight-bearing joints, like the knees, which are impacted by the extra weight of a growing baby
• Promotes relaxation and deep breathing
• Helps stabilize hormone levels by lessening anxiety
• Body sensory awareness enhances a woman's ability to focus on the infant within. To count baby's kicks and monitor his or her movement and position.