What does research show about practicing yoga during pregnancy?

Physical activities, such as yoga, are safe and desirable for most pregnant women, as long as appropriate precautions are taken. Yoga may have health benefits for pregnant women, such as decreasing stress, anxiety, and depression

• Being physically active is safe and beneficial for most pregnant women. However, some precautions need to be taken.
  • If you’re pregnant, you should be evaluated by your health care provider to make sure there’s no medical reason why you shouldn’t exercise.
  • You may need to modify some activities, including yoga. For example, you shouldn’t exercise in a hot environment (as you would in a “hot yoga” class), especially during the first trimester. You also need to avoid activities (including yoga poses) that involve long periods of lying on your back. Talk with your health care provider about how to adjust your physical activity during pregnancy.
• A 2020 review of 5 recent studies (311 total participants) found evidence that yoga may have benefits for pregnant women, including reductions in stress, anxiety, and depression, as well as pain during labor. A 2012 review of earlier research had similar findings.