Yoga for Pregnancy
Stay Happy Stay Healthy
Discover with me the numerous benefits of Yoga Techniques during the special time of Pregnancy ....
Based on Hatha Yoga, Mindfulness, Positive Psychology, Meditation and Yoga Nidra the Elemental yoga programme
provides all the tools necessary to make the special months of pregnancy easier and more enjoyable minimizing
fears, ailments and potential complications.
During pregnancy the body changes continously while being subject to many additional stresses
and strains experienced on all levels, from the physical level to the mental and the emotional one.
The modern, mam- to- be is very often, nowdays, a multitasking busy bee. She works round the
clock and more often than not, tends to be busy right up to the time of the birth of her baby.
Creating the time to relax and energise is very important, my job is to help you.
At a time when you may feel tired, moody, nauseous, and out of control, a regular prenatal yoga
practice can give you the energy to enjoy your pregnancy, the serenity to build a deeper intimacy
with your own body and spirit, and also the presence of mind to expect the unexpected and be
fully present for the miracle of birth.
The practice of Yoga techniques is used to both conserve and generate energy, often helping to
forestalling fatigue before it accumulates to any significant degree, a great toolbox for self help
that generates strenght and confidence even past the birth time, when the woman may feel mostly
vulnerable and sometimes against all high expectations even depressed.
The Method
Yoga during pregnancy provides a gentle, rhythmic, non-fatiguing method that works not only muscles to improve their tone, but also the nervous system, and
through the breath it stabilizes the emotions. The combination of breathing techniques , relaxation techniques and mindfulness will give you the ability to
experience pregnancy positively and feel more in control of yourself and in your relationship to the world.
Learn to cultivate a calm attitude, focused on the present, fully mindful . In this state of balance pregnancy. It can be a very fruitful time – a time for character
building, and a time for cultivating healthful habits which can be of tremendous benefit not only to you, but through you to your family.
Just as the Earth sustains all life, a mother-to-be provides a life-sustaining environment for her baby and a prenatal
yoga class can create an environment that nurtures the nurturer!!
elementalyoga Pregnancy Classes
Pregnancy classes are available through booking only and run as courses of six weeks.
The programme is taught in small groups or One to One
I base the viability of the course on advance bookings so course fees are not refundable.
Class size is min six and max twelve
For the next available dates and locations' details please click on the "classes" page here
If the course you are looking to join has already started you can most likely join in and
pay from the date you are joining.
Prerequisites are 15+ weeks to start yoga. If in doubt please contact your Midwife or GP
Book here
Bespoke programmes
In the comfort of your own house you are taught a personal yoga for pregnancy programme
in one hour session which you can take at a time to suit your needs
elemental Pregnancy Package
Four discounted one to one yoga for pregnancy lessons
Prenatal Yoga Packages with optional Birthing Workshop
This includes four one to one sessions as well as the Birth Preparation workshop all delivered in the comfort of your own house.
Please contact me to discuss costs and your needs and requirements
Prenatal Yoga Packages with Birthing Workshop & Prenatal Massage
This includes four one to one sessions, the Birth Preparation workshop and a Prenatal Yoga Massage with qualified aromatherapist Caz from
Cazaroma all delivered in the comfort of your own house.
Please contact me to discuss costs and your needs and requirements here
for Women & their Birthing Partner.
Preparation for Birth with Yoga
in small groups
Feel both more calm and confident, feel empowered.
Learn useful and practical ways that can help with Labour and Birth.
Birthing yoga provides time to explore the basic anatomy of birth, how the labouring woman might want to move, position herself and breathe, and
how her birth partner (man or woman) can help make that easier and more comfortable for her.
Women and their birth partners are shown practical ‘tools’ for working with pain in labour including touch, movement and basic massage....
The workshop consists of two sessions of two hours each.
Part one
Holistic health/medical model
Anatomy & Physiology
The yogic approach
Mindfulness
Breathing
Relaxation
Part two
Labour with Yoga for birthing partners
Basic massage
Informed choices
Aftercare advice
faq:
Do I need to have yoga experience to take the elementalyoga Birth Workshop?
Open to anybody, including couples with no previous yoga experience, suitable for mams expecting their first baby,
twins or women that
already had children.A birthing partner is not necessary the father, there may be more than one partner.
Women can also attend on their own and work with another mam or with myself
Booking
The Preparation for Birth 's workshops are delivered to small groups (max six couples)
Dates and times vary according to demand. To see the next available dates please go back to the 'classes page' here
to book for Birthing Workshops or to arrange a one to one, please contact me here .
Benefits of yoga during pregnancy
Yoga is a low-impact exercise. Regular practice of yoga give many benefits
Improve sleep
Reduce stress and anxiety Stress
Improve circulation.
Queasiness of morning sickness may decrease.
Strength, Flexibility and endurance of muscles that are needed for birth increases
Muscle strength is maintained or increased through strengthening safe yoga poses.
Neurological development of your growing baby is enhanced.
Preterm labor risk is reduced.
Decrease lower back pain, nausea, carpal tunnel syndrome, headaches and shortness of breath and other minor ailments
Decrease the risk of preterm labor, pregnancy-induced hypertension and intrauterine growth restriction — a condition that slows
a baby's growth
Practicing yoga while pregnant may speed recovery- time after giving birth.
Stress management and mindfulness strategies can be learned through yoga that will benefit you throughout the entire challenging
transition to motherhood and beyond
Prenatal yoga can also help you meet and bond with other pregnant women and prepare for the stress of being a new parent.
Yoga offers a terrific opportunity for Self-care.
Before practicing yoga while pregnant, get your midwife/consultant approval
Can I practice if..?
I never practiced yoga before
While it is often not recommended to begin a new exercise regiment during pregnancy, prenatal yoga is an exception. Classes are suitable for both
beginners and experienced yoginis
i am expecting twins is yoga suitable for me?
Yoga is safe for women who expect twins, however, sometimes postures may be modified but because class sizes tend to be much smaller than
other yoga classes the instructor can offer more individualized attention
I have a bad back is it good to exercise?
Absolutely!! All components of yoga (poses, alignment and breath) can help with a bad back. When the pain is severe, you can use breathing and
relaxation techniques . When the pain is interfering with your sleep you can also use these techniques to help rest and nurture your body.
I have SPD
SPD, Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction is the name given to pain and mobility problems caused by instability of the pelvis during pregnancy. Women
can be affected by SPD from as early as 15 weeks of pregnancy. This is due to the hormones relaxin and progesterone that naturally loosen the
ligaments to make a woman’s pelvis more flexible. This flexibility it is a natural process that occurrs during pregnancy and it allows the baby through
during birth. However, this is even more pronounced for some women and it can result in pain experienced in the front or the back of the pelvis.
SPD ranges from mild to intense. When more intense, women will be referred to a physiotherapist to learn how to avoid getting worse while trying
to keep mobile.
In a general class while having SPD can be counter-productive and even dangerous.
practicing under the guidance of a qualified pre-natal yoga teacher, is recommended by both midwives and prenatal physioytherapists. and can really
help to cope with the symptoms of SPD and even help. One important factor is that the yogic approach encourages you to listen to your body (and
develop a type of attention called mindfulness. This way not only any pose that doesn’t feel right is avoided but you can improve the ability to move
about in everyday situations !!!
I have morning sickness
Women are likely to experience morning sickness in the early stages of pregnancy as the hormonal balance of their bodies undergoes enormous
change. This problem usually goes as the pregnancy progresses to the second trimester, however, some women may experience more severe
symptoms and also for a longer period of time. Good news is that Yoga soothing practices helps you feel more energetic, healthy, calm and
reduces the achesand pains normally associated with pregnancy. The most important concepts are: slow down,
make some time for your self, relax.
USEFUL LINKS
Membership organisation for Independent Midwives in the UK, IMUK
Information and support in pregnancy, birth and early parenthood. National Childbirth Trust NCT
Breastfeeding support from pregnancy onwards La Leche League GB
mumsnet: Find things to do, share local recommendations and chat with nearby parents
Local Aromatherapy pre and post-natal with fabulous Caz of Cazaroma
