Pregnancy Yoga

Yoga promotes mental and physical well-being, which in times of change and challenge is vital for remaining balanced and centred. Your experience of being pregnant and giving birth will bring physical and emotional changes. Yoga is a great asset in these changing times by providing physical exercise, deep breathing, and space to explore your feelings about the personal journey you are taking into motherhood.

In pregnancy yoga, classic poses are adapted to suit your growing baby and the changes taking place within your body. Whether you are an accomplished yogini or have never practised yoga before, our classes are tailored to suit the abilities of each mother in the group. In the first trimester gentle stretches and deep breathing are recommended, then as your baby grows yoga is used to strengthen, tone and relax whilst making space for your baby.

The power of deep breathing

Deep breathing and birth muscle toning are a main focus in our classes. Using the breath you will learn how to control the pelvic floor muscles, preparing them to become birthing muscles, by increasing their elasticity whilst at the same time allowing your body to remain relaxed and open. 

Instead of relying on willpower to give birth, you will learn how to isolate different muscles and use these to birth your baby lightly whilst remaining in control of your breath and be relaxed in your body. A greater awareness of your breathing also nurtures you as you stretch and relax. The relaxation you experience passes directly to your baby and benefits him or her with increased blood flow to the placenta and the sharing of bonding time in pregnancy.

The benefits of yoga continue long after birth when deep breathing is used to tone the pelvic floor muscles and keep your energies balanced as you adapt to the demands of caring for your newborn baby.

The class can be attended as a drop-in session for the first class. Following this class, passes are available as follows:

• 5 week pass £35 (valid for 2 months)
• 10 classes pass £60 (valid for 3 months)

From week 36 of pregnancy the classes can be attended individually on a drop-in basis. Please see class dates & booking for the current timetable.