YOGA : Fertility, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, and Postpartum
- Diana Lim
- Sep 3
- 2 min read
Oct 22, 2024
How Yoga Supported Me Through Fertility, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, and Postpartum
Before becoming pregnant, I envisioned my pregnancy as a powerful experience. I admired those who ran marathons, lifted weights, and practiced advanced yoga while pregnant. I, too, wanted to continue doing inversions when I got pregnant.
During my first pregnancy, I maintained my daily Ashtanga practice and continued teaching until, tragically, I lost my baby during a hot Hatha class. I blamed myself, even though I knew deep down it wasn’t yoga—it just wasn’t meant to be. Yoga became my source of healing. I slowed down, shifting to gentle restorative yoga and meditation, focusing on both physical and emotional recovery.
As conceiving became more difficult, I immersed myself in studying fertility yoga. During my Yin Yoga teacher training with speaciliasing in TCM practise, I gained a deeper understanding of my body, which helped in the process.
Years later, we conceived through IVF. This time, I was more cautious. The pandemic lockdown created the perfect environment to nurture my pregnancy, but complications forced me to slow down even further. I embraced daily meditation and explored the deeper aspects of yoga beyond just asanas.
Motherhood began when my precious girl arrived, and life completely changed. I couldn’t return to my old routines, especially my yoga practice. I had to adapt, as my body changed significantly, affecting my confidence. My postpartum recovery took over three years, and resuming my practice was a slow process.
Today, when I unroll my mat, I focus on restorative stretches and calming my mind. Occasionally, I practice more intensely, but not for external validation. After over 20 years of yoga, I’ve learned to embrace the changes in my body and mind, and I’ll continue practicing in whatever form feels right as I move forward.
Comments