Second trimester feels amazing: all giddy and airy and glowing. How bizarre to see by the scale that the body is growing increasingly heavier, but still to feel a lightness in practice. Indeed, the weight of the body is shifting, as the center is shifting. Just this week (Week 17), I had to try a few times before stabilizing Pincha Mayurasana, because the body wanted to bow backward, and I am trying not to overcompensate by engaging the abdominal muscles. And, in the spirit of that backward bending, backbends of all kinds continue to feel exhilarating: Upward Dog, Kapotasana, Urdvha Danurasana, drop backs...the body wants to bend the back and open the belly, and what a blessing for the belly to stretch like this. The skin can grow tight around the growing baby, and these backbends breath space and softness back into it.
In this second trimester, I have added a few new poses as the belly has expanded and the hips are becoming more open:
1. In the Marichyasana sequence, I have added a reverse twist with a bind to Marichyasana C; this has been very helpful for opening the hip, shoulders, and chest.
2. With these same goals in mind, I have added a modified Pashasana, which consists of a wide-legged squat and an open twist and bind around each knee.
3. I have also added one Bakasana after Supta Vajrasana. My teacher and I discussed the upward flying motion of this pose, and I wondered whether it might be a good idea to integrate it to include the balance of upward flying and the downward pull of gravity on the perineum. I was also looking for more strengthening in the arms. So far, I like the inclusion of this pose...I suspect that (as my teacher suggests) I will continue it until 6 months, when/if the body becomes too heavy/straining.
Additionally, I have adjusted forward bends to make space for the belly. In general, this adjustment requires me to internally rotate in the hip joint and to fold centrally forward. This internal rotation is another wonderful blessing, as I have been working to inwardly rotate in drop backs. As the hips widen, the torso folds to center and the leg moves more to the side, in line with the shoulder. For example, in Krounchasana, I am pulling the leg up with one hand toward the shoulder, and pressing down on the opposing bent knee. My teacher suggested today that small blocks might be useful to sit on in the forward bending poses. I will try that next week, I think.
And, finally, I have felt the baby kicking for almost 2 weeks..an early mover. It never ceases to be a brilliant experience.
