Comments on: Ashtanga During Pregnancy – Surrendering to Grace

By: nikki timmermans

nikki timmermans — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 00:53:41 +0000

HI Mariele,
I am 25 weeks pregnant with my third. I am really enjoying the gentle approach to my ashtanga practice. Tha day I found out I was pregnant was the only day I have completed every asana in the primary series unassisted and beautifully. Wow. I live in Guatemala on a boat for six months of the year and am interested in coming to Costa Rica to practice with you.
Congratulations on the birth of you baby and I hope you are enjoying the journey.
I look forward to hearing from you
Namaste
Nikki

By: D

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 10:23:17 +0000

First, Mariela, congratulations on the birth of Gael. And thank you – you’re sharing of this wonderful and life-altering experience, and your candor and honesty about it all, are inspirational. Reading it made me realize it’s very similar to the “loss” I felt after getting injured last year and was unable to practice at all. I too had to start from scratch and am returning slowly. But it was a great lesson to let go of the asana and just be with what “is”. Very humbling, but it’s made me a better student and teacher.

Second – a word for “Baguette” – Why write something so judgemental and obviously meant to harm? “I hope the baby is fine and wont suffer later in his life because of the experiences he had to have in the uterus of his mother. ” Based on what both of you wrote, I think I’d rather be born from Mariela’ uterus than yours, given the choice. Find yourself a good yoga teacher and learn about ahimsa.

By: D

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 10:06:50 +0000

Hey Baguette,

Pretty judgmental – I can’t believe you are a yoga practitioner. No one who’s ever set foot on a mat would even think of stating the following:

“I hope the baby is fine and wont suffer later in his life because of the experiences he had to have in the uterus of his mother. ”

Tell you one thing – I’d rather be born from Mariela’ uterus than yours. All that negativity you seem to have has got to be bad for a child.

By: P

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 01:49:12 +0000

I found your post very interesting and moving. I am currently trying to conceive and I do moderate iyengar or ashtanga yoga at home.

Tadasana, Trikonasana, Warrier I and II, Adhomukha Swanasana, camel pose(ushtrasana), Ardh Chandrasana, Kandhrasana, badhakonasana(bending in front), upasavita konasana(bend in front), paschimottasana etc.

Could you please tell me if I should do these asanas after I probably have conceived during the two week wait before I find out if I’ve conceived. I am in great anxiety to find this out. I have some hormonal issues and these asanas actually help me, but in case I do , I dont want to lose out any option.

Thanks so much

By: Mariela

Mariela — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 19:04:14 +0000

I would like to let you know that Baby Gael is doing great…the delivery was in water and he was born healthy and strong. He is one year and two months now, a happy baby!

i don’t recommend doing intense asana during pregnancy unless you already have a steady practice before becoming pregnant. Also, i didn’t practice during the first trimester. It’s better to wait. I know my body pretty well, but i do recommend a teacher to guide asana practice while pregnant.

Thanks for your concern about the baby, but as a mother of 5, i would never risk them for anything…i know yoga helps me everyday, but yoga is also about discernment and common sense. My pregnancy had no incidents, so that’s why i could keep going.

Namaste
Mariela

By: baguette

baguette — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 09:52:23 +0000

I understand the experience but I have found Mariela was just irresponsible by wanting to do yoga at all cost even pregnant. I am wondering how she did not understand with her 4 first children what pregnancy and motherhood is about. I hope the baby is fine and wont suffer later in his life because of the experiences he had to have in the uterus of his mother. But if he does, at least he can consult this post and show it to his therapist

By: April

April — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 21:49:41 +0000

Your writing has brought me such relief and moved me to tears! I just found out I’m pregnant and I’m feeling really depressed about what I have perceived to be a suffering practice. But I realise you are right. It’s the first thing I’ve read that has brought me any comfort. Thank you so much for writing and sharing.

By: kampe

kampe — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 05:59:28 +0000

Mariella, Thank you for the great exposee. I have seen others forsake their health and family to be drawn to only “the practice.” Glad that you were able to leave the cultic and narcissistic side-effects of yoga exercises to return to a normal life! Best Wishes!

By: Heather Liebe

Heather Liebe — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 17:47:07 +0000

I just read you posting. It brings tears to my eyes as yours is so close to mine. I recently had a boy, Jan 23rd, 08. He was due feb 20th. My water broke at 28 weeks and my practice and all movement was taken away in one day. I am a practitioner of six years and had just began third series. I have a small studio in New Mexico were my best friend/yoga partner and I hold morning mysore. We are without a teacher were we live. We both have children and often sacrifice sleep to practice at 5am. We travel to workshops and trainings when we can to deepen our practice. We have each other and our students that help us continue our practice.
Now that I am rebuilding my practice I am grateful of the perspective that starting over has given me. I know now the great struggle that people have with their bodies. I feel as a teacher that I am closer to my students and more able to help them then I ever was.
I loved reading your posting, It is nice to know that others have similar struggles.
I hope you and your family are doing well. Perhaps I will get to practice under you one day.

I honor the light with in.

By: antonia

antonia — Thu, 08 May 2008 19:56:43 +0000

dear mariela,

i only just now bumped into your article. thank you for sharing! i was touched by your thoughts & candidness.

antonia