Conscious Birthing is written for the benefit and enjoyment of all pregnant women. Pregnancy is a brief yet remarkable period in a woman's life, and one of the most nurturing ways she can care for herself and her unborn baby is through gentle yoga practices. These practices--which include postures or asanas, the valuable breathing techniques of pranayama (conscious breathing), and meditation--offer profound support throughout pregnancy and in preparation for childbirth.
Drawing on her extensive experience, Theresa Jamieson has selected exercises and postures that are specifically suited to pregnancy: safe, gentle, and responsive to the body's continually changing needs. Yoga breathing practices are, in many ways, the most essential aspect of birth preparation, fostering mental calmness and physical relaxation that help a woman meet the demands of labor with greater ease. Meditation and relaxation evolve naturally from the breath work and form a central part of birthing consciously.