Pregnancy is a wonderful time to practise yoga. Through focusing their attention, women realize the importance of the breath, which then becomes fundamental to their yoga practise and its connection to labour and birth.  Regular yoga practice improves the circulation, increases flexibility of the muscles and joints, generally strengthens the body and balances the posture, all of which are so important during pregnancy.

By coming to weekly classes, expectant mothers gain an understanding of how to use the movement and positions of yoga for labour.  This enables women to embody what they have learnt so that it can be recalled during the labour and birth of their baby.

Breathing is a central part of the gentle yoga we teach, as it encourages a deep awareness of the connection between mind and body, enhancing a woman’s innate ability to give birth.  Over years of experience, YogaBirth teachers have seen how this can give confidence to the mother and help with the process of labour.

YogaBirth teachers have become increasingly aware of the importance of encouraging the baby into an optimal position for labour.  The term used for this is ‘Optimal Foetal Positioning’.  In our experience specific yoga positions and movement have helped to decrease birth complications and to help the baby align itself into the pelvis for labour to start and proceed smoothly.

The type of yoga we teach is particularly effective in helping pregnant women reduce the discomforts of pregnancy, e.g. backache, pelvic pain, hypertension, carpal tunnel syndrome, etc. 

As specialists in the childbearing year our weekly classes are supportive because we enable pregnant women to develop an awareness of the physical and emotional transformation to parenthood.  There is time in each class to talk and learn from each other and share information and experiences, enabling women to make informed choices about the issues surrounding childbirth and parenting. 

Post-natal classes provide a forum for networking and interacting with other new mothers.  Classes include gentle yoga-based exercises, which help re-align the spine and pelvis and strengthen the pelvic floor and abdominal muscles. Many teachers also provide baby massage classes. Baby massage enhances bonding between parents and child whilst at the same time soothes and relaxes the baby.  Women find the classes bring energy and strength to deal with the fatigue that may occur in the postnatal period.

By combining yoga classes with birth preparation courses, we seek to empower women to give birth with confidence and knowledge whatever their birth experience.  This confidence can be a springboard into positive parenting.

For information contact Lynda on 07815 79 28 57 or email info@yogasense.com.