Prenatal Yoga (4 Classes) - Colleen :: Prenatal Postnatal Yoga :: Yoga classes :: Yoga, Pilates, Gym, Dance :: Fitness

Pregnancy is a wonderful journey into womanhood, fertility and change. It should be a time of joy and happiness but unfortunately for many it is more of a yo-yo experience - one minute up - elated and joyful, but the next - down - depressed, filled with anxiety, fear and self-doubt.

Breathing techniques and meditation can help you cope with these emotional mood swings and help you find peace through relaxation. These techniques are specifically taught in prenatal yoga and can be of great benefit to you during your pregnancy and the actual birth. Yoga, with its emphasis on breathing, is a wonderful way to help you use your breath to induce a state of calmness in the mind, and strength and flexibility in the body.

What are the specific benefits of Prenatal Yoga?
Strength, flexibility and well-being - when you practice yoga, you are not only stretching the muscles, but you are stretching the tissues than encase the muscles, stimulating your organ systems, promoting the circulation of blood and oxygen, breathing more intentionally, and focusing your attention inward through imagery and meditation. The combine effect is intended to be one that promotes a heightened state of physical and emotional well-being.

Les sens discomfort - reduces low back pain and sciatica - by becoming more in touch with your physical body and its correct alignment, your posture improves. This can help to reduce the degree of pelvic tilt associated with pregnancy and the lower back pain it can cause.

Specific yoga poses stretch the back muscles, hamstrings and hip flexors, helping the back to be stronger and less susceptible to injury.

Stretching reduces aches and fatigue - as the baby grows, you become more and more uncomfortable, especially at night. Even if you do manage a good night's sleep, you awake stiff and sore. This is because spinal alignment may have been compromised during sleep and your muscles are now congested and tense. The solution - a good stretch! Certain yoga poses create fluidity in the back muscles, yoga breath helps circulate blood around the body and together they reduce pain and stiffness.

Reduces swelling and inflammation around the joints - improves circulation of blood and oxygen throughout your body. Good circulation, especially to the legs and feet may reduce varicose veins.

Helps to prepare you physically for labour and birth and post-delivery- a regular practice of squatting asana helps to tone muscles of the pelvic floor, a good yoga class should include pelvic floor (Kegel) toning exercises and postures that ensure a good blood supply to the perineum.

Helps to prepare you emotionally for childbirth and child rearing - prenatal yoga classes bring women together when they are undergoing the same emotionally and physical changes. New friendships are formed, some lasting a lifetime. The bond of women drawn together during childbirth forms an excellent support system and greatly strengthens a woman's confidence.

The combination of the physical or asana portion of yoga with the emotional and spiritual component can be an aid in reducing pregnancy-related anxiety and improve her experience of the miracle and empowerment of pregnancy.

What can you expect in my Prenatal Classes?
I have over ten years experience in teaching both Hatha Yoga and Prenatal Yoga and have diplomas in both. This is important because there are certain basic yoga postures that should not be practised during pregnancy and a knowledge of these is important to ensure your safety and the well-being of your baby.

The Prenatal Yoga classes last ninety minutes and are divided into four sections:

Breathing or Pranayama + basic Meditation - powerful techniques to ensure an abundant supply of oxygen for you and your child. Your general fitness will also improve as you will be shown how to make the best of your lung capacity even though towards the 9th month baby is preventing your diaphragm from working properly. What a midwife said during the delivery of a yoga student’s birth - “Do go on with the deep breathing. I can hear from the child’s heartbeat that it helps him, especially during the contractions when he is being pressed!”

Yoga Postures - these gently work on the pregnancy area; strengthening the muscles and opening the hips which overall help your body cope with the growing baby. At the subtle level, the asanas (poses) ensure optimum supply of blood and nutrients to the developing baby. Yoga even helps alleviate cramps in the legs and improves digestion. A prenatal yoga class is less about doing the perfect posture and more about awareness of the breath and how it affects your energy and strength.

Focus and Concentration - the simple meditation and visualisation segment is designed to help you cope with the fears, stress and anxieties that are often too common in pregnancy. You feel more connected with your baby and the personal exploration of your inner strengths can bring you to place of acceptance and gratitude. This is so powerful in alleviating depression and will help you really appreciate and enjoy the privilege of being pregnant.

Deep Relaxation or Yoga Nidra - the best part! Deep relaxation can be learned and once you know the relaxed state, you can return to it whenever you need it, even during labour. You will experience at least 10 minutes of guided relaxation in a darkened room, with soothing music and pillows (if available) ensuring you leave the yoga studio feeling calm and refreshed - as if you have spent time in your personal sanctuary.

Click here for Schedule.

Prenatal Yoga (4 Classes) - Colleen

Location of stores

Send to friend