Suhani Sheshodia is a certified Ashtanga Vinyasa and Hatha Yoga teacher. She also specializes in pre and postnatal yoga.
Talking of pregnancy and weight loss Suhani in her story talks about how she lost 30 kg after pregnancy. According to her “I weighed 90 kg on the day of my delivery in September 2015.” Her current weight is 60 kg.
Women Fitness President, Ms. Namita Nayyar got in touch with Yoga trainer, Ms. Suhani Sheshodia to share her journey and expert input for women looking for weight loss after childbirth.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
When can women begin practicing yoga after childbirth? Are there any rules or guidelines one needs to follow
Ms. Suhani Sheshodia:
One can start with a mild practice of yoga after a few months postpartum. The practice may differ depending on whether the mother had a vaginal delivery or a c-section.
Some women start earlier and it is not wrong but in my opinion, it is better to be safe than sorry. It is best to wait to ensure the health and recovery of a new mom’s pelvic floor completely before she begins.
The most important rule or guideline to follow and to be kept in mind at all times is to be thankful for the beautiful and strong body you have that’s capable of holding creating so much within you.
You have to respect your body and take it very slowly. Your body has just gone through a huge transition you can’t make it go through rigorous routines instantly.
Take it slow and easy. You’ll get where you want to get – but not overnight.
So no rigorous practice to begin with.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
The first thing women want is to shed the baby pouch. What simple stretches can a new mom do to manage pain and ease recovery?
Ms. Suhani Sheshodia:
I understand – I’ve been there too – that in today’s times, a new mother is under tremendous pressure to shed off the pregnancy weight magically overnight.
Please give your body a minimum of one year to begin to feel and look like it did – one year is the minimum.
Here are some asanas you can practice safely postpartum
- Tadasana
- Tiryak tadasana
- Setu bandha
- Marjaryasana
- Gomukhasana
- Matsyasana
- Purvottanasana
- Thread the needle
- Dancer pose
- Puppy pose
- Horse pose
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
How and when asanas can be incorporated after delivery.
Ms. Suhani Sheshodia:
It is best to take expert advice at least initially.
A post-natal yoga teacher who can make your post-party yoga journey smooth and complication free.
As I said earlier we begin slow and then gradually begin the practice of more complex asanas as the body keeps healing more and more.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Share your journey of recovery of weight loss and building strength with yoga
Ms. Suhani Sheshodia:
I began my journey of weight loss and building strength after two months of my delivery. I’d see and remind myself of the work that I have to begin but also be grateful for the body for being magical and for giving me a surreal experience that will last a lifetime.
I knew I have a lot of time to get back in shape. I won’t say I wasn’t in a hurry I was like most of us.
But that’s not the best thing I feel for the body.
I started with gentle yoga practice and with each passing week – that is after the completion of two months postpartum – I kept on taking it slightly deeper.
Yoga helps you not only build strength physically but mental resilience and emotionally stronger as well.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Hurdles you faced during the journey
Ms. Suhani Sheshodia:
Hurdles were many
- Managing everything as a new mom is the biggest hurdle.
- Sticking to a routine. Making a routine. Dealing with the tiredness and postpartum blues.
- Dealing with so many bodily changes and still trying to love it all are just some of the challenges I faced in the journey.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Share input about the diet you followed to achieve your goal.
Ms. Suhani Sheshodia:
I follow a basic diet pattern. All the time it’s a lifestyle for me.
- No refined oil. No refined sugar. No refined flour. Besides which as less as possible of – processed, preserved, and packaged.
- Home-cooked simple meals helped me shed the extra weight. Lots of greens – vegetables fruits. I switched to ragi roti and I always make food in desi ghee.
- Vegetables. Pulses.
- Light to moderate yoga.
- Being active by doing little things myself.
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