Pre and Postnatal Yoga
My journey
It is fair to say that I enrolled in Pregnancy Yoga Teacher Training rather naively, wanting to learn more about how to support pregnant yoga students. What I did not realise is that I would be confronted with my own fears and myths around birth, clouded by images and stories I had seen on TV, in movies, or from family and friends. The training made me so hungry (even more than normal) to learn everything I could about pregnancy, birth and parenthood. I went on to complete my Postnatal Yoga Teacher Training and I am currently enrolled in Hypnobirthing Instructor Training with the Riot Birth Network.
I have found myself in awe of any body growing a baby and how amazing parents are, to being quite frustrated about things I wish I had been taught earlier (see: sex ed in the ‘90s) and angry at the lack of understanding and support for women, parents and families.
And somehow, seemingly overnight, I have ended up with a burning desire to create community, to provide you with space to move, listen and connect with your changing body, mind, identity, to educate and empower you, on the multifaceted journey through and to parenthood.
My aim is to provide you with space - to move, to listen, to connect - with your body and your baby, to feel empowered, to find the tools that will help you in birth, pregnancy and beyond
Connect with your body and baby
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Prenatal Yoga
Support your changing body and prepare for birth and parenthood. From building strength and flexibility to improving sleep and reducing stress. Research has shown that yoga exercises during pregnancy can reduce anxiety, depression, back and pelvic pains, and labour and cesarean birth pains.
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Hypnobirthing
Hypnobirthing can help you to feel informed, empowered and confident through your pregnancy and birth journey - whether it goes exactly to plan or not, whether it is pain free or not. Find out how the body works, your rights and choices, how to change your mindset, reframe your relationship with fear, learn decision making tools and powerful techniques that may help you when the time comes to meet your baby and beyond.
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Postnatal or Bubs and Me Yoga
Now your baby has arrived into the world, yoga is a great way to support yourself and connect with your baby. Make space in your body and mind, find time for relaxation and meet others at the same life stage.
Postnatal classes just for you. Bubs and me classes for you both including movement, breath, rhymes and play.
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Morning Foundations
Join me for 45 minutes of movement, breath and mediation to build the foundations of your day. Prenatal, postnatal and any one else welcome.
From the convenience of your own home.
FAQs
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Please speak to your doctor before joining any pregnancy yoga classes. For the period 0-14 weeks of pregnancy, it can be lovely to allow your body and mind the time to settle into pregnancy, particularly if you are new to yoga asana (postures).
There are a few different conditions which might mean it is best for you not to do pregnancy yoga asana (postures). But that is not the end of the road! There are plenty of yogic practices that might benefit you. If you would like to join a group class before 14 weeks, or you would like a private session so that we can tailor a yoga practice for you. Please contact me for a chat.
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Please do other forms of movement! I am a big fan of balance and trying different things, and that is part of the yoga practice - listening to your body and finding what is right for you.
But I am a little biased… Aside from the physical benefits, pregnancy yoga provides you with time to connect with yourself, body and baby, pranayama (or breathing exercises) can help relax and revitalise you, while practices like meditation and mantra may help you build confidence and listen to your inner wisdom. You are embarking on a wonderful (and maybe scary!) journey of pregnancy and parenthood, your mental health is just as important as your physical health and that of your baby. -
All of the above!
Public group classes can be a great way to receive the benefits of pregnancy yoga, plus you have the opportunity to connect with other people on the same journey.
The bonus of an individual private class is that it can be tailored to you - we can focus on your specific needs in a safe environment.
I also love to work with small groups, so you could get a couple of friends together and I could bring props to you. Let’s think of something creative that suits you
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Group classes are best joined around 6 weeks after a vaginal birth or 10-12 weeks after a ceasarean birth. But, we are all different, so check in with your doctor when you feel ready. There are other limbs/aspects of yoga that you might like to explore before you join a group class. If you would like to join earlier or are interested in a private class that focuses on the things you need, please contact me for a chat.
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Any new parent, grandparent or caregiver and baby until they start crawling.
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I welcome everyone - from beginners and life-long yogis to unique bodies, genders, cultures, beliefs, backgrounds and families. I learn so much from meeting people and listening to what you need from me,] or how I might approach my teaching in a way that is more inclusive. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or feedback.
Perinatal Resources
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Childbirth as a Rite of Passage - Rachel Reed
Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth - Ina May Gaskin
Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering - Sarah J Buckley
Matrescence - Lucy Jones
Life after Birth - Jessica Prescott and Vaughne Geary
The Birth Debrief - Illiyin Morrison
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The Great Birth Rebellion
The Midwives’ Cauldron
Australian Birth Stories
Yoga Birth Babies
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For movement, moving baby and labour positions
For evidence-based information
“Yoga gives you the time, focus + space to surrender to this spontaneous emotional clearing, the preparation for what lies ahead. At the same time, it is a marvellous way to release physical tension in your muscles and joints, to prevent or ease discomfort for the extra weight you are carrying and to to get your body ready for birth”