Many wom en have trouble becoming pregnant. There are all sorts of expensive fertility treatments out there, but they can cause lots unwanted physical and emotional side-effects. These days, many women are turning to yoga to as a natural form of fertility treatment. And let’s face it—lying down on a yoga mat is SO much better than lying on your gynecologist’s table!

Thousands of women are practicing yoga as an alternative to sperm banks and infertility clinics. So, how does it work? The answers are complicated. Yoga helps women to lower their stress levels (which may hamper pregnancy), and increase the blood flow and circulation to the pelvic organs.

If you’re shopping around for “fertility yoga classes”, try to find one that focuses on total relaxation. In order to increase your chances of conceiving, your mind and body should ideally be completely relaxed. When you’re anxious, your heart rate increases and your body produces more stress hormones—none of which are good for your baby. A little relaxing yoga can go a long way to producing a happy and healthy baby.

If you’re looking to increase your chances of becoming pregnant, a gentler type of yoga would be the most effective. These varieties of yoga have been found to most beneficial for women who want to conceive:

  • Hatha yoga – this type of yoga emphasizes gentle postures and slow movements. Since Hatha yoga focuses on calming breathing techniques and meditation, it’s a great way to relax
  • Kripalu yoga – Kripalu is a lesser-known branch of yoga, but it’s shown to be particularly effective for establishing a mind-body connection and improving posture
  • Couples yoga – this form of yoga is becoming increasingly popular because helps yogis to re-connect with their spouse. Spiritually intimacy and increased communication between partners has been shown to increase fertility rates for many couples, and couples yoga classes are consequently filled with many parents-to-be

In addition, there are several postures that are designed to improve fertility by stretching your pelvic muscles and sending fresh blood to your abdominal region. You can try these poses at home—

  • Supported bridge pose – while lying on your back, keep your knees bent with your feet flat on the floor. After taking a few deep inhales and exhales, slowly raise your pelvis off the floor.
  • Legs on the wall pose – lie on the ground next to a wall. Inhale deeply, and gently extend your legs up the side of the wall so that you create a 90 degree angle with your pelvis.
  • Cobbler’s pose – sit on the floor with your legs stretched straight out in front of you. Bring your feet towards your pelvis and slowly push the soles of your feet together.

Whatever fertility postures you choose to practice, make sure to soften your abdominal muscles so that you can remove unwanted tension around the uterus and ovaries.  Keep in mind that yoga isn’t guaranteed to help you become pregnant, but it’s definitely worth a shot!