Pregnancy comes with its problems -- backaches, morning sickness and shortness of breath, to name a few. If you're looking for a way to ease these symptoms, you need look no further than yoga. Regular yoga practice will help not only your body, but your mind as well -- and it offers a chance to meet other mothers-to-be. Read on to learn more about the benefits of practising yoga during pregnancy -- and how to do it right.

Yoga -- right for everyone
You don't need to be a practising yogini to reap the benefits of prenatal yoga -- classes are open to anyone, even if you've never tried yoga before (although if you are a beginner, you should probably wait until the second trimester). This means that you may find people with a wide range of yoga experience in a prenatal yoga class. But this shouldn't be a problem, says Christine Reeves, head of the prenatal and postnatal yoga program at The Yoga Studio in Toronto. "Any well-trained prenatal teacher should be able to adapt the class both for beginners and more experienced students," she says.

As far as health goes, remember that it's your responsibility to keep the instructor informed of any issues with your pregnancy -- for instance, says Reeves, "in the third trimester the teacher needs to know if the baby's in the right position." Know what's going on with your pregnancy, and share that information with your instructor. It's also a good idea to let your doctor know about your yoga practice. (Read about 10 things to know about your pregnancy.)

Help your body adjust
"Yoga is a perfect fit for pregnancy," says Reeves. "It helps prepare the body for birth and helps you recover afterward." Pregnant women need to be in good shape, she says. With regular yoga practice, you will strengthen and stretch your muscles, preparing your body for birth. You will also improve postural alignment, helping to prevent backache due to the added weight of the baby and larger breasts. Other physical benefits include better circulation and breathing. "We do lots of breathing techniques that help women find pockets of breathing space in their lungs that they might not normally utilize," Reeves says.

Centre your mind
Meditation has myriad health benefits, including stress relief and increased mental focus. Through practising yoga and meditation, you will improve your focus and learn to relax during labour as well as to cope with any stress that arises, whether during pregnancy or after the baby is born. "There are a lot of fears and worries that pregnant women deal with," says Reeves. "Yoga gives them the tools to be able to cope."

Meet new friends
It's not uncommon for a woman to feel isolated during pregnancy, even confused by the changes going on in her body. By attending a prenatal yoga class, you can meet other women who are going through the same life changes you are -- mentally, physically and emotionally. Participants "get to meet other women," says Reeves, "we talk in class, they realize that what's happening to them is happening to all of them, they meet friends who are going through the same things. Women have made lifelong friends during pregnancy and childbirth."

Ready to try some postures? Read about poses you can try at home.

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