As many women know but rarely discuss, there is a huge shift in our bodies after carrying a child for nine months and going through labor. One common occurrence is urinary and fecal incontinence toward the end of pregnancy and into postpartum. This is caused by the weakening of our pelvic floor due to a variety of factors, such as the pressure of the baby pushing down on your pelvic floor, the strain of childbirth, and tears or an episiotomy during the process of pushing.
Though this may sound discouraging, there is hope, and it comes via more than just kegels. Establishing a consistent yoga practice postpartum is a great way to reengage your pelvic floor strength and reconnect with your body. In addition to the five poses below that will help you focus on regaining your pelvic floor strength, yoga can also increase calmness, decrease anxiety and depression, reduce irritability, increase energy, lower blood pressure, and reduce muscle tension for new mothers.
We all know getting back into a routine after childbirth is difficult, but always remember that in order for you to care for your child, you must first care for yourself.
Grab a yoga mat, blanket, or towel to dive into the following postures. Aim to hold or flow through each for 30-60 seconds.
Postpartum Yoga Poses: Chair Pose
Begin in a standing forward fold with your feet together. Reach your fingertips to the outside of your feet, bend your knees, and extend your hands over your head. Lift your chest up, bring your triceps by your ears, and place more weight into your heels.
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Postpartum Yoga Poses: Upward Facing Dog
Start in a high plank position, and untuck your toes so the tops of your feet are pressing into the mat. Press your hips down towards the mat, press your chest forward, and roll your shoulders back and down. Ensure that your thighs, knees, and shins are lifted off of the floor.
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Postpartum Yoga Poses: Bridge Pose
Begin lying on your back, place your feet on your mat, and walk your heels into your butt. Bring your hands by your hips, and press into your heels and shoulders to lift your hips up to the ceiling. Attempt to extend your fingers closer to your heels as you reach your hips higher.
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Postpartum Yoga Poses: Bird/Dog Flow
Begin in an all-fours position with your hands stacked over your wrists and elbows and your knees directly under your hips. Extend your right leg forward and your left leg back. Ensure that your wrist and shoulder are in one line as well as your ankle and hip. Once you find balance, pull your elbow and knee into the midline of your body. Then return your limbs to their extended position. Repeat this movement for 60 seconds on each side of the body.
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Postpartum Yoga Poses: Warrior 2
Begin with your feet hips width apart, and pivot your right foot towards the front of your mat. Ensure that your right heel and left arch are in a straight line. Bend your right knee to a 90-degree angle, and reach your arms out to a T. Press into both pinky toes and squeeze your inner thighs into the mid-line of your body.
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With a multi-layered approach to her artistry, just as she did on that winter day in December 2013 with the infamous digital drop of her self-titled album, she changed the game again on February 1, 2023, when she announced her world tour in support of Renaissance, her seventh studio album. Her cultural impact set the internet ablaze, with everyone trying to gather their coins, barter for presale codes, and figure out which cities to attend. The group chats were lit, and the Beyhive was stressed trying to get their hands on tickets.
Photo courtesy of Dontaira Terrell
Unfortunately, I was in that number. As the concert dates passed by and the one in my city drawing near all roads led to disappointment. With time ticking on the day of the Miami show and less than two hours to spare, my wallet bit the bullet, and I purchased three last-minute tickets, costing roughly $700.00 a piece (including fees) for me, my 9-year-old and 16-year-old nieces in Section 121 at the Hard Rock Stadium. With 10 minutes before showtime, we eagerly awaited the Queen to take the stage. A sea of metallic fringes, cowboy hats, disco fans, and western boots were in full effect and filled the entire stadium.
As the lights dimmed, a flood of emotions instantly overtook my body. It continued with each note she belted, along with nearly 50,000 roaring fans. The reverberating sound of the music through the stadium transported me from one era of my life to the next. As a teen girl in her bedroom daydreaming about her first love to blossoming into an unapologetic Black woman who is still on a road of self-discovery while learning to lean into the power anthem of "You won't break my soul." For over two hours, and with each set, I felt joy, love, peace, and a commanderie with fellow concertgoers. It was therapeutic as I danced like no one was watching and sang as if I were alone in my bathroom mirror.
There were no bars held, and I realized at that moment, "Nobody can judge me but me." The "Renaissance World Tour" proved to be so vast, and my Black girl joy was re-invigorated. It was magnetic and liberating, and I had to attend again, but this time, I needed to be up close and personal; I needed to be on the floor. In the days that passed, I watched more social media clips in different cities and asked myself if I would really splurge again to attend another Renaissance show.
Photo courtesy of Dontaira Terrell
After all, this would be my thirteenth time (maybe more because I lost count) seeing Beyoncé live, whether she was on tour with Destiny's Child, as a solo artist, or doing a live appearance. I contemplated for a while, but it worked itself out on its own. I was gifted two tickets and the next thing I knew, I was off to LA to attend another Renaissance show with floor seats at SoFi Stadium during Beyonce's 42nd birthday weekend! This time, things were different: no kids were allowed. It was adults only this go round.
Although the energy at the Miami and Los Angeles shows was empowering, infectious, and a celebration of life, happiness, and identity, they each provided their own unique experience. However, both concerts were what I needed for my well-being, leaving me with sore feet from dancing the night away, on vocal rest for the next few days from screaming at the top of my lungs, and on an indefinite high on life.
My introduction and love for Beyoncé began in 1996, while my older sister lived in Houston, TX, right before Bey hit the scene in 1998 with "No, No, No" as a budding R&B member. Her evolution twenty-seven years later as an international superstar and into womanhood has been an incredible journey to witness. As Mrs. Carter reminds each of us in the audience every night before the curtain closes, "I want you to remember this moment, where you're standing, who you came with, and take it with you. I hope you feel inspired."
I truly felt inspired, so thank you, Queen Bey. You awakened my inner child, and I will definitely remember these moments and take them with me.
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Feature image by Kevin Mazur/WireImage for Parkwood
