Pregnancy Yoga Class
What are the benefits of doing Yoga during pregnancy?
Many of us lead busy lives so the Yoga gives you a time to focus on your and your baby, encouraging you to enjoy your pregnancy as well as to prepare for motherhood. Yoga brings feelings of well-being and calm in the midst of what can be a daunting experience. You will feel better prepared for labour and birthing; giving birth cannot be learnt but Yoga can help you to tune into your intuition so that you are mentally and physically better able to cope with this challenging time. Many of the women who have done these sessions say after the labour that the Yoga was very valuable during labour.
Here are some of the comments from women who have attended these classes:
" I would like to thank you for all your classes as they really helped me through the labour. The midwives were very impressed with how relaxed I was and I feel that I coped very well due to the techniques I learnt during your classes."
Lucy
" I wanted to say a HUGE thank you for your support and the wonderful yoga classes which enabled us to have the birth we so much wanted for our daughter. I could hear your voice very clearly putting me back into relaxation mode when necessary!" Justine
" I had my daughter in water. It was the most relaxing, beautiful experience and your various positions on the birthing ball and relaxed breathing techniques helped considerably." Emily
" I feel really positive about the birth and the control I felt. The relaxation music played a key part in the whole labour and keep me focussed and calm and she was born to that music. Visualising the contractions as peaks of a mountain was also very helpful in pain management." Serena
" Thanks very much for the enjoyable yoga classes. They were the highlight of my week and a real chance to be 'me' again." Vanessa
" I found the breathing exercises you taught us really useful, especially the golden thread one - it took me pretty much right through to the pushing stage." Bridgette
Basic Info
Please e-mail your enquiry form and Belinda will be in touch as soon as there is a space. If there is a waiting list for the class you wish to join please be patient: places do come up all the time as women move on to have their babies and you can join at any stage during a block once there is a space.
Both evening classes are now fully booked for the September block - although there is availability on the daytime session. If you'd like to join the classes please send me your enquiry form and I will put your name down on the list then let you know as soon as there is a space.
If none of these class times/locations suit you then do contact Joe Bell on 07767 731791, a qualified pregnancy yoga teacher who runs other local classes.
- When: Monday 10-11.30 or Monday 6.30-8pm or Wednesday 7.30pm - 9pm in term times. dates
- where: Both evening classes take place at The Space Upstairs, Spencer Yard, Leamington CV31 3SY www.spenceryard.co.uk Please see the information sheet , for detailed information on location and parking. From April 2010 The Monday morning class is taking place in the yoga studio, Bath Place Community Venture @ The Old Library, York Rd, Leamington CV31 3PR. Please click on this link for a map: http://www.yell.com/b/Bath+Place+@+The+Old+Library-Community+Centres-Leamington+Spa-CV313PR-1449468/index.html
- Cost: £40-£50 depending on length of block (see dates) or £10 casual. The blocks consist of a specified number of sessions. The fee per block covers the dates specified in each block only and are not transferrable from one block to the next. Refunds or discounts are not given for missed sessions so please do not ask for this! You are welcome to enrol for the evening class then transfer to the Monday morning class, for example if you go on maternity leave. Please let me know if you have genuine difficulty in paying the fees as discounts are available in this case.
- how: First, send Belinda your enquiry form before you attend a session. Belinda will e-mail back to confirm availability.
- Read the information below about Pregnancy Yoga.
- Before you come to your first session, please print out the information sheet
- Download this health questionnaire
,
print it and complete the details and bring to your first session - You can decide at the end of your first session if you would like to enrol for the whole block. If not the casual fee of £10 is payable per session you attend
-
labour and birthing sessions with partners:
- The labour and birthing sessions are on Sundays 10.30-1.30 also at Spencer Yard.They are suitable from around 32-34 weeks of pregnancy onwards. You don't need to have attended the yoga sessions to benefit from these sessions but it does help.
- Please check dates of forthcoming sessions.
- Contact me if you have any questions.
When can I start the Yoga sessions?
From about 14/15 weeks of pregnancy, the symptoms of early pregnancy such as excessive tiredness and nausea often start to ease. Until then, you should focus on getting as much rest and relaxation as possible. Wait until you feel well enough to start your physical Yoga practice - for some women this is later than 14 weeks.
Do I need to have practised Yoga before?
No – the sessions are all very gentle and assume that you are a beginner. If you have practiced Yoga in the past then this will be an added benefit although if you are used to stronger or more dynamic Yoga then come with an expectation of gentleness!
Is Yoga safe for me and my baby?
Absolutely, providing that you avoid certain practices that are unsuitable for pregnancy, such as strong backbends or twists. All the exercises in the pregnancy sessions have been specifically designed to be safe for pregnancy. If you do decide to join or carry on attending a general Yoga class, then always make sure your teacher knows that you are pregnant.
What will the sessions involve?
We usually start the Yoga with a breathing practice to help you calm and centre yourself, progressing to a range of gentle movements in a variety of positions, from sitting to kneeling, on all fours to standing. These movements focus on helping the body to ‘open’ and strengthen as the pregnancy progresses, allowing you time to focus on your pregnancy and to prepare for labour. Pelvic floor muscle exercises are usually included in the session, as well as a deep relaxation. You will never be expected to do anything that you do not wish to do or which does not feel right for you. The movements can be adapted if you have pelvic girdle pain - just please let me know if this is the case!
What do I need to bring to a Yoga class?
You will need a mat, preferably a non-slip Yoga mat which you can buy either direct from me (£17) depending on stock or from a number of retail outlets such as sports shops. Wear something you feel comfortable moving in, a little stretchy but not too baggy. Layers of clothing is a good idea helping you to be comfortable whether you are moving around or lying down. Please also bring 2-3 cushions to help make you more comfortable during some of the positions as well as during the relaxation. I can also sell you a burst resistant yoga ball which many women find very useful during pregnancy and labour - cost £13 to £18 depending on size.
