Prenatal Yoga has its roots in the traditional teachings of Hatha Yoga , but it developed as a distinct discipline to address the specific needs of pregnant women . Although yoga practices have always included elements aimed at harmonizing the body and mind, Prenatal Yoga was structured in the 20th century in response to a greater understanding of the physiological and emotional needs of women during pregnancy.

The origin of yoga in India, dating back thousands of years, has always been centered on the idea of balancing the body's energies to achieve a state of health and well-being . At the heart of this practice is the idea that the body is a sacred temple and must be prepared to support important transitions such as pregnancy and childbirth. In ancient texts , such as the Vedas and Upanishads , there is mention of preparing the body for reproduction and the creation of life , although it was not until much later that Prenatal Yoga was formalized as a specific branch of the practice.

The evolution of modern Prenatal Yoga can be traced to the emergence of the global wellness movement in the 1960s and 1970s, when health professionals and yoga instructors began to recognize the potential benefits of yoga for pregnant women. In the United States and Europe, prenatal wellness pioneers, such as Geeta Iyengar , the daughter of B.K.S. Iyengar, played a key role in developing yoga sequences suitable for pregnant women. In her book "Yoga: A Gem for Women," Geeta Iyengar introduced adaptations of Iyengar Yoga to help women manage the physical and emotional changes during pregnancy, emphasizing safe postures that promote fetal and maternal well-being .

The 1970s saw an explosion of interest in alternative medicine practices and more natural methods of childbirth preparation , where yoga began to take center stage. Influential figures such as Ina May Gaskin , a renowned midwife, advocated the use of prenatal yoga as part of childbirth preparation, for its effect on relaxation , breath control , and emotional balance .

Modern prenatal yoga is also influenced by the growing recognition of the benefits of pranayama (breathing techniques) in helping prepare the body for childbirth. The importance of breath control during pregnancy, a fundamental principle of traditional yoga, has been adopted in childbirth preparation classes around the world. Techniques such as Ujjayi breathing, practiced in Hatha yoga, have been shown to be beneficial in helping women remain calm and centered during labor and delivery.

Prenatal Yoga has gradually structured itself into a set of practices aimed at strengthening the pregnant woman's body , improving its flexibility , and preparing the mind for the transformative experience of motherhood. Its adapted postures , breathing exercises, and deep relaxation techniques have been designed to help reduce pregnancy-related discomforts , such as lower back pain, edema, and fatigue, while stimulating a deep connection with the developing baby.

Within contemporary Western culture , Prenatal Yoga has firmly established itself in the prenatal care landscape. Modern medical institutions now regularly recommend Prenatal Yoga as a means of managing the physical and emotional stresses associated with pregnancy. Many hospitals and clinics incorporate Prenatal Yoga classes into their childbirth preparation programs, emphasizing its role in promoting physical health , mental well-being , and emotional balance .

At the same time, Prenatal Yoga also draws inspiration from ancient spiritual practices. In the yogic tradition, motherhood is seen as a sacred process that is part of the larger cycle of life and creation . In India, for example, the goddess Shakti represents the feminine creative force and the ability to give birth to life. Prenatal Yoga incorporates this notion by recognizing the unique creative energy of pregnant women and offering practices to honor and nurture this energy throughout the pregnancy.

Thus, Prenatal Yoga combines ancestral knowledge with modern approaches to support women on their journey to motherhood , promoting both physical health and emotional fulfillment . It embodies the idea that pregnancy is not only a bodily experience, but also a time of spiritual transformation and deep connection with life.