Cat-Cow stretch is a combination of two yoga poses in Vinyasa Yoga. These are highly effective and simple workouts which can be practiced to ease back pain, for toning and stretching the muscles of your abdomen, back and neck and for improving the coordination of your spine. In the cat-cow pose, when you are in the cow pose with your back arched, the back muscles are exercised. And when you are in the cat pose, the back muscles are stretched.
Like the Prenatal Sun Salutation and Seated Hip Stretches, the cat-cow stretch is also one of the prenatal workouts. The yoga poses and workouts in this sequence are:
These poses can be repeated on each inhalation and exhalation.
Like the pelvic tilts, the cat-cow stretch helps to provide more flexibility and lengthens your spine. Unlike the pelvic tilts, this stretch helps in alignment and coordination of the spine.
The benefits of cat-cow stretch are many.
Thus it is safe to practice the Cat-Cow stretch along with other prenatal workouts like the Prenatal Sun Salutation, Seated Hip Stretches and Pelvic Tilts during pregnancy as it allows you to move freely and doesn't require any lying down unlike other asanas. Also this stretch helps the baby to move in the womb and places the baby in correct position for birth. However, it is advisable to consult your gynaecologist to rule out any problems or complications before you start practicing these stretches. It is equally important to practice yoga under the guidance of an expert who conducts prenatal yoga classes.