Butterfly Exercise During Pregnancy

Butterfly exercise also known as Baddhakonasana (in Sanskrit), is one of the best exercises to practice during pregnancy. It is also known as the Bound Angle Pose. It is an easy exercise and a gentle pose which can be performed with minimum help. It helps in stretching the groin area and the hamstrings while eradicating abdominal discomfort. It has two variations – Poorna Titli Asana and Ardha Titli Asana.

To perform the pose, one must sit on the buttocks. Then bend the knees and bring the soles of the feet together. Keeping the soles of the feet together, we must press the heels towards the pubic bone as much as we can. This has to be done by grasping the feet with the palms of our hands. Then we must straighten our spinal cord and start flapping both the bent knees(like that of a butterfly) and try touching the knees on the floor when bringing the knees down and try and bring the knees to the chest level while taking the knees up. Simultaneously keep on inhaling and exhaling. Be sure to maintain a focus on your breathing while doing the exercise.

Butterfly pose may be a simple exercise, but it has a lot of benefits, especially for pregnant women. It can also be used as a meditative pose and thus helps in relieving stress by giving physical and mental relaxation. This posture also aids proper digestion thereby providing relief to pregnant women who suffer from heartburns and digestive disorders during pregnancy. It also stretches and opens up the hips, thighs and the pelvic muscles which help in having an easy, normal delivery. However, a pregnant lady before starting the exercise or any other exercise should consult her doctor.

Why Should You Do the Butterfly Exercise When Pregnant?

Butterfly exercise for a pregnant lady is one of the keys to a healthy delivery if practised for a long time. Here are some of its benefits.

• It eases tired legs during pregnancy.
• It opens up the Pelvic muscles which make standard delivery easy.
• It opens up the Thighs and Hips and improves flexibility.
• It helps in initiating faster delivery during labour.
• It also helps in enduring the pain during labour.
• It also helps in fluid retention which is a significant problem during pregnancy.
• Aids digestion

How to Do the Half Butterfly(Ardha Titli)

The Ardha Titli Asana is another variation of the Butterfly pose or the Purna Titli Asana. It is good for people who are doing yoga for the first time.

1. Sit in a Padmasana(the lotus pose) if comfortable, or sit cross-legged on the floor.
2. Then stretch one leg straight leaving the other one folded.
3. Bend the right knee and put the right leg on the left thigh. Try to touch the left waist with the right sole.
4. Place the right palm on top of the right thigh.
5. Grasp the right toe firmly with the left hand.
6. Keep the Spinal cord and neck straight.
7. Inhale deeply and press the knee toward the floor.
8. Then exhale and bring the knee up to the chest level.

Repeat it ten times and switch legs. Repeat the same on the other side.

The Ardha Titli Asana is as beneficial as the Butterfly Asana during pregnancy. It helps in easing pains and cramps which are experienced by many during pregnancy, and it also facilitates less painful and more comfortable deliveries.

How to Do the Full Butterfly(Poorna Titli)

The Butterfly yoga pose during pregnancy is something that ante-natal specialists recommend. It is one of most beneficial exercise to practice during the time of pregnancy. Here is the stepwise representation of the pose:

1. Sit in a Padmasana(the lotus pose) if comfortable, or sit cross-legged on the floor.
2. Position yourself in such a way that the soles of your feet touch each other and your knees are bent outwards.
3. Try to pull your feet as much as possible, with both your hands holding your feet, towards the pubic area.
4. Straighten your spine.
5. Breathe in and place both your hands on your knees.
6. Breathe out and move your folded knees up and down (like a Butterfly flaps it’s wings) and try to touch your knees on the ground (do not try too hard in case you are unable to touch your knees on the ground).
7. Breathe in and bring your knees up to the chest level.
8. Repeat the same process fifteen to twenty times.

The Butterfly pose is believed to be one of the most gentle and therapeutic yoga poses. It not only helps in having a smooth delivery but also has other health benefits and also helps in releasing unwanted tension and stress if practised on a regular basis. Incorporate it into your yoga routine to experience the benefits.