by Caroline Smith, Certified Ma Yoga® Instructor
My philosophy on yoga is the same as my philosophy on health care: it should be accessible. Too often the exact opportunities, even necessities, for care at its most basic or its most additive level, are out of reach for the women who need them most. Mothers and mothers-to-be are erased from the metaphorical (and literal) priority list and considered an afterthought for life-sustaining care.
It is because of this heartbreaking reality I chose to pursue a graduate degree in Maternal and Child Health, a career in expanding preventive health care, and most recently, a Prenatal Registered Yoga Teacher Certificate with Ma Yoga: because wellness for our mamas should not be a luxury, but an equal opportunity.
The evidence of poor maternal health outcomes in America, and particularly in my home state of Texas, are overwhelming. The United States has the highest rate of maternal deaths of any high-income nation, with over 80 percent of these deaths being likely preventable. Texas in particular ranks higher than the national average for maternal deaths, and Black women in Texas experience 134.4 severe maternal morbidity cases per 100,000 delivery hospitalizations, which is almost double the rate of White women at 72.6.
This issue is complex, and I am not suggesting that prenatal yoga and mindfulness are the answers to deeply rooted, systemic issues within a state or nation. And yet, I’m also not suggesting we shouldn’t carve out opportunities to help alleviate a crisis situation.
This is where my “why” comes in. This is the part where I can make a tiny difference in the lives of mamas because there is clear evidence that while it is no silver bullet, yoga can have meaningful, positive impacts on a mother’s health. Numerous studies show that yoga improves outcomes for both low-risk and high-risk pregnancies, positively impacting both physical and psychological health. And we know the majority of women, up to 60%, turn sedentary during pregnancy, which can lead to numerous complications including hypertension, one of the leading causes of maternal mortality.
Knowing this, I thought “what needs to change for pregnant women to take care of themselves in little and big ways?” Well, that’s a big question! I thought back to several years ago, when I worked at a non-profit where I counseled under-served adults seeking their high school diploma. In this role, I saw my female students at the mercy of a horribly lacking health care system and the negative ramifications this instilled on their lives and the lives of their children. I also saw the significant impacts external support and encouragement had on their day-to-day lives and wellbeing.
In the same way these women inspired me to pursue a graduate degree, they inspired me to pursue a prenatal teaching certificate. And that’s when I knew what the immediate next step was. Thankfully, I found Ma Yoga.
This program called to me for many reasons – the flexibility, the Ayurvedic approach and the emphasis on community. All of which are now deeply rooted in my teaching philosophy.
Additionally, connecting with the earth and those natural, inherent energies are an incredible foundation to build a sequence upon. Really, an incredible foundation to build life upon. Participating in this community is like getting together with friends in that they just get you. It’s a like-minded group with similar goals of helping mamas feel good in their own, unique ways.
But what made the most difference for me was the flexibility and understanding of my leaders, all of whom were accepting of the twists and turns of life and how it impacted my ability to show up. This experience continues to influence my teaching in that it’s vital to see students in the context of their lives.
A “ripple effect” is defined as a pervasive spreading, with usually unintentional effect of influence. And for me, that’s what prenatal yoga is. It’s the tiny commitments we make to ourselves to show up, to be present, and to be mindful. And eventually, these tiny promises turn into significant influence.
To really impact outcomes for maternal health, “big change” needs to happen in federal and state legislation – that’s true. But it is also about the “small change” that happens within a community, within a classroom, within someone’s heart. It’s my intention to create more spaces for these small changes to occur, so that maternal wellness is more equitable, more achievable, and more realistic, for all.
