Yoga for Pregnancy
Pregnancy yoga has been adapted specifically to suit the naturally changing needs of pregnant women and is an ideal way to prepare for labour and birth and the incredible transition into motherhood.
Breath
At the heart of yoga is an awareness of the link between breath, body and mind, therefore breath awareness is a key element in pregnancy yoga classes. The breath has the power to calm and soothe, energise and uplift as well as heal and repair. Breath awareness helps women to become familiar with the natural rhythm of their breath and so increases their ability to focus inwards. This can then lead to a deeper understanding of their body’s innate wisdom and their own intuition. Many women comment that it is the breath that carried them through their labour and birth, so specific breathing techniques (pranayama) such as Ujjayi breath and Golden Thread breath are also taught as preparation not only for childbirth but for the postnatal period as well where different challenges may lie.
Body
The classes include physical postures and flowing movement (asana) which build strength and suppleness in women and can ease common minor ailments such as backache, swollen joints, heartburn, oedema etc. Options are always given for women who may be experiencing Pelvic Girdle Pain (PGP). Gentle pelvic floor exercises are also included to help promote healthy tone and elasticity in the muscles to carry baby comfortably to full-term, assist in birth and healing after birth. Postural awareness and tips for daily life such as sleeping comfortably and getting in and out of bed/cars etc are also provided. Positions and movements are given that encourage baby into an optimal position for birth and can potentially make birth faster, easier and uncomplicated. While gravity-assisted positions, movements and ‘Funny Walks’ help women build up a picture of how they may wish to labour and give birth. While yoga prepares women for an active and natural birth it is still beneficial for women who will give birth by caesarean.
Mind
At a time of huge transformation, the emotional and spiritual wellbeing of pregnant women is carefully nurtured. A friendly, supportive and non-judgemental atmosphere in each class is bolstered by the building of community (Sangha). Small class sizes allow women to form support networks for those early weeks before postnatal classes can be started. Pregnancy yoga provides an opportune time for a woman to bond with her unborn baby and to enjoy a shared feeling of celebration and enjoyment at this special time in a woman’s life. Each class ends with a 15 minute relaxation including a Yoga Nidra. This helps to consolidate all of the yogic practices, gives women the often much needed chance to rest, boosts oxytocin and builds up a regular habit of relaxing with baby. The insights gained through practising yoga can help to dispel much of the fear around the birthing process and empower women to approach labour with trust in their body’s wisdom and power; feeling confident in their innate ability to give birth. Women are able to let go when the body takes over in birth and can instinctively move and breath to help soothe, steady and guide themselves through contractions.
Classes are suitable from 14 weeks of pregnancy for women who are brand new to yoga as well as those who already have a regular yoga practice.
Testimonials
"I have really enjoyed these classes; a really good set of movements and moments of calm in late pregnancy and great preparation for birth and post natal."
"So many of the breathing techniques and visualisations that we’ve practised over the past months were immediately put into practice and made a huge difference in keeping me calm."
"Thank you for the yoga sessions, I felt they really helped me prepare for birth."
Damaris Booth trained with Birthlight
Sundays 9.30-10.45 (at The Sunflower Centre, Brockley (Hilly Fields) SE4 1XZ) NOW ONLINE
Photo by Chris Ensey on Unsplash
Breath
At the heart of yoga is an awareness of the link between breath, body and mind, therefore breath awareness is a key element in pregnancy yoga classes. The breath has the power to calm and soothe, energise and uplift as well as heal and repair. Breath awareness helps women to become familiar with the natural rhythm of their breath and so increases their ability to focus inwards. This can then lead to a deeper understanding of their body’s innate wisdom and their own intuition. Many women comment that it is the breath that carried them through their labour and birth, so specific breathing techniques (pranayama) such as Ujjayi breath and Golden Thread breath are also taught as preparation not only for childbirth but for the postnatal period as well where different challenges may lie.
Body
The classes include physical postures and flowing movement (asana) which build strength and suppleness in women and can ease common minor ailments such as backache, swollen joints, heartburn, oedema etc. Options are always given for women who may be experiencing Pelvic Girdle Pain (PGP). Gentle pelvic floor exercises are also included to help promote healthy tone and elasticity in the muscles to carry baby comfortably to full-term, assist in birth and healing after birth. Postural awareness and tips for daily life such as sleeping comfortably and getting in and out of bed/cars etc are also provided. Positions and movements are given that encourage baby into an optimal position for birth and can potentially make birth faster, easier and uncomplicated. While gravity-assisted positions, movements and ‘Funny Walks’ help women build up a picture of how they may wish to labour and give birth. While yoga prepares women for an active and natural birth it is still beneficial for women who will give birth by caesarean.
Mind
At a time of huge transformation, the emotional and spiritual wellbeing of pregnant women is carefully nurtured. A friendly, supportive and non-judgemental atmosphere in each class is bolstered by the building of community (Sangha). Small class sizes allow women to form support networks for those early weeks before postnatal classes can be started. Pregnancy yoga provides an opportune time for a woman to bond with her unborn baby and to enjoy a shared feeling of celebration and enjoyment at this special time in a woman’s life. Each class ends with a 15 minute relaxation including a Yoga Nidra. This helps to consolidate all of the yogic practices, gives women the often much needed chance to rest, boosts oxytocin and builds up a regular habit of relaxing with baby. The insights gained through practising yoga can help to dispel much of the fear around the birthing process and empower women to approach labour with trust in their body’s wisdom and power; feeling confident in their innate ability to give birth. Women are able to let go when the body takes over in birth and can instinctively move and breath to help soothe, steady and guide themselves through contractions.
Classes are suitable from 14 weeks of pregnancy for women who are brand new to yoga as well as those who already have a regular yoga practice.
Testimonials
"I have really enjoyed these classes; a really good set of movements and moments of calm in late pregnancy and great preparation for birth and post natal."
"So many of the breathing techniques and visualisations that we’ve practised over the past months were immediately put into practice and made a huge difference in keeping me calm."
"Thank you for the yoga sessions, I felt they really helped me prepare for birth."
Damaris Booth trained with Birthlight
Sundays 9.30-10.45 (at The Sunflower Centre, Brockley (Hilly Fields) SE4 1XZ) NOW ONLINE
Photo by Chris Ensey on Unsplash
