Yoga should actually be performed during pregnancy. Doctors are a little divided on this issue. Although most doctors increasingly support the practice of Yoga during pregnancy a large number of the medical community still has some reservations.

If you have never practiced Yoga before, I would advise you to wait until after your delivery. This will help to avoid any unnecessary complications and will also ensure that your body returns to its pre-pregnancy state in a short period of time.

Inverted poses are poses where the lower body is elevated higher than the heart. They are said to improve the quality of one's concentration and meditation as well as help improve a person's circulation and their sleep. Here is a listing of a few inverted poses that menstruating women are told to refrain from:

*Sarvangasana - Shoulder Stand

*Sirshasana - Head Stand

*Halasana - Plough Pose

Poses that involve backbends, headstands, handstands and the upward bow such as the Dhanura Asana (Bow Pose), Sarvanga Asana (Shoulder stand) and Sirsha Asana (Head stand) should be avoided. Also avoid poses that involve stretching of the abdominal muscles such as the Pavan Mukta Asana (Wind Releasing Posture), Hala Asana (Plow Pose) and the Ushtra Asana (Camel Posture). After the first trimester you should also avoid any poses that are performed while lying on your back such as the Matsya Asana (Fish Posture). You should also avoid poses that involving balancing your body’s weight on one foot such as the Ekpada Asana (One legged pose) or the Natraja Asana (King of Dance Pose).