Meditation and Pregnancy

By Cat O’Donaghue, RYT,  Zen meditation practitioner and trainee

There’s no doubt that asana (the poses) in prenatal yoga can be one of the solutions to reduce the common pregnancy aches and pains by stretching and strengthening muscles; which hopefully you’ve already experienced in our classes at CocoonCare.

But, is addressing the physical body enough to support you during times of anxiety, discomfort, the unknown of birth, and labor pain? Keep reading to learn why meditation is just as important as the asanas and, in fact, the asanas were created to quiet the mind for meditation!

Is addressing the physical body enough? 

Likely, not! The physical practice of yoga cannot always soothe the waves of the mind once it’s time for labor. To this, meditation, or sitting, (as me and my Zen Buddhist peers call it) is the only solution. True meditation allows you to be with yourself. Nothing has to be done, just sitting. Just being able to watch your patterns, see how suffering arises within you and falls away, it is invaluable for anyone. Learning about yourself deep enough to admit your shortcomings, habits, and fears is the only way they can change and and you can outcome them.

Being a mother is the most spiritual, important, and noble job! As a mother are in charge of shaping the next generation, what a privilege! Just as being in good physical condition will help you and your baby be well, being in good mental condition will guarantee it. 

I train in Zazen, or seated meditation, with a Rinzai Zen Buddhist lineage originating in Japan. While the vast majority of our training is silent, seated meditation, there is a short, guided meditation we use.

This is called Hakiun’s Soft Butter. Hakuin is one of the most revered Japanese Zen masters, he lived a couple hundred years ago but the intensity of his insight lives on. 

Hakuin’s Soft Butter Meditation:  

Lie down on your back in queens chair, or in a comfortable position.

Release any tension you are holding within your body or mind. 

Visualize a small egg shaped object at the top of your head, with the consistency of butter. This substance is a wondrous healing substance.

Imagine how it smells and what color it is.

Imagine the substance starting to melt down the crown of your head, flowing outside and inside your body.

Keep focusing, imagining the substance slowing reaching each part of your body, pulling away any tension, illness, or weakness, eventually reaching your feet.

See the substance pushing out all toxicity out your feet like dirty, muddy water, running out and away from you.

Now see your body remaining, it is clean and healthy, vibrating with energy. 

Namaskaram. 

Want to learn more about meditation? Come visit one of daily yoga classes for an introduction!

AND/OR talk to our prenatal health coach about one-on-one prenatal support.

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