7. Summary
Given the specific physical needs of women during pregnancy,
a tailored and specialized yoga protocol that uses a
variety of elements of a yoga practice is best indicated. Several
of the reviewed studies provide a holistic approach to health
promotion and stress management, providing participants
with a framework with which to integrate the lecturematerial
on yogic philosophy, positive lifestyle change, mindful awareness,
stress reduction, and pregnancy and labour into their
daily lives. It is recommended that future research studies
use yoga interventions that fall under the general category
of Hatha yoga or use programs in line with a particular
school of yoga that emphasizes a specialized, gentle and
modified asana programs, such as Iyengar or restorative
yoga. Research-based interventions should not use types of
yoga that emphasize a physical demanding, strength-based,
or heated practice for safety precautions for both the mother
and fetus.
The present paper has several limitations. Because of the
sparse number of RCTs and the absence of double blind RCTs
in the literature, we included studies that were randomized
but not double-blinded and also controlled trials that lacked
randomization. Due to the relatively few articles included
in the paper, the findings outlined are preliminary and not
conclusive or generalizable.