book Prenatal yoga classes

You’ve heard pregnancy yoga classes can be a great way to keep active during pregnancy and to prepare for labour so here’s everything you need to know before you book an online pregnancy yoga course.

You might be considering joining a pregnancy yoga class to relax and stay active after your first trimester and beyond but did you know prenatal yoga can promote your baby’s health as well as empower you to have a conscious birth experience?

It’s important to understand the possible benefits of pregnancy yoga classes, be able to answer ‘what kind of yoga can I do while pregnant?’ and to take note of safety tips. We’ll also let you know what to expect in a pregnancy yoga class.

What are the benefits of pregnancy yoga classes?

Pregnancy yoga is suitable for both beginners and experienced yogis and can play a key role in enhancing the pregnancy experience encouraging stretching, mindfulness and focused breathing. Generally yoga is considered safe after the first trimester and can have many benefits for a pregnant person and their baby.

Pregnancy yoga can:

· Improve sleep

· Reduce stress and anxiety

· Increase the strength, flexibility and endurance of muscles needed for birth

· Help manage lower back pain, nausea, headaches and shortness of breath

What kind of yoga is recommended in pregnancy?

Some styles of yoga are much more strenuous than others. Prenatal yoga, hatha yoga and restorative yoga are generally the best choices during pregnancy. If you’re taking part in a class not specifically tailored for pregnancy let your teacher know before the class starts and as always, be conscious of how your body feels.

Avoid hot yoga during pregnancy, which involves doing vigorous poses in a heated room as this can raise your body temperature too much.

Is pregnancy yoga safe for everyone?

If you’re pregnant and looking to book pregnancy yoga classes, there are some basic guidelines to follow before jumping on the mat in order to keep you and your baby safe:

· Talk to your midwife or doctor – pregnancy yoga might not be suitable for you if you’re at risk of premature labour or have certain medical conditions so it’s important to run it by your care provider to get the green light before you start

· Avoid certain poses – A pregnancy yoga trained teacher will only get you to move in a way that is safe for you and your baby but if you’re practicing at home always remember to maintain normal spine curvature by bending from your hips, not your back. Avoid poses that need you to lay on your front (or your back in your third trimester), doing deep forward or backward bends or any poses that put pressure on your abdomen like twisting poses. 

Using props during poses is a great way to accommodate changes to your centre of gravity as your pregnancy progresses. 

· Don't push yourself – if something doesn’t feel right – stop. Pay close attention to your body and how it’s feeling. Always start slow and take classes that match your level of experience. Even stretching should still be comfortable; if you’re finding it hard to speak normally while practicing, you should probably take it down a notch.

If during or after taking part in pregnancy yoga you experience any pain or other red flags such as vaginal bleeding, reduced movements or contractions stop and call your midwife or doctor.

· Stay hydrated -  Keep hydrated by drinking water and keep the room cool with open windows to avoid overheating. 

What happens in a pregnancy yoga class?

Pregnancy yoga classes follow the same structure as other yoga classes but the poses are modified to accommodate how your body can move during pregnancy, as well as some poses you wouldn’t find in other yoga classes. Pregnancy yoga is suitable for complete beginners and is a great way to meet other pregnant people.

· Poses (Asanas) You’ll gently move your body into different positions aimed at developing your balance, strength, and flexibility.

· Gentle stretching You'll be encouraged to move different areas of your body, such as your neck and arms, through their full range of motion.

· Breathing You'll be encouraged to focus on your breathing. Pregnancy yoga breathing techniques are useful to help reduce or manage shortness of breath during pregnancy and work through contractions during labour.

· Relaxation At the end of each pregnancy yoga class, you'll relax and restore your resting heart rate; listening to your own breathing, maybe paying close attention to sensations, thoughts and emotions, or repeating a mantra or word to bring about a state of self-awareness and inner calm.

We offer postnatal yoga classes too! Leave your details to book private online prenatal yoga classes or get in touch for more details.