What’s a pregnant Yoga teacher to do!? Well. Being the inquisitive, geeky yogi that I am…I dived head first into learning all I could about what would be coming my way! The age old, and truly magical transition of the female body as it brings new life into the world and the body’s fascinating systems following the birth. The history of pregnancy, the present recommendations, and where the future was headed for all things bumps, babies, births and boobs! I wanted to discover it all! After all it was happening to MY body, and being a yoga teacher I find it super exciting that I can share all my learnings with other mamas to be!
I’ll be honest… I never had any interest in teaching pregnancy or post natal yoga before becoming pregnant myself. I’ve always been in awe of the female body in transitioning through this period don’t get me wrong! I just figured if It was me who was pregnant I’d prefer somebody teaching me who had already “got the Tee Shirt” if you know what I mean!
Well anyway I figured destiny had spoken! Perhaps I am meant to teach this after all, and what better time to learn about it all and relate to all that I’m being taught, than whilst being pregnant!? I booked onto a course with the wonderful Harmonise Training Academy in Brighton. (I have done my 200hr Teacher training and Yin Teacher training with these guys and cannot recommend them enough!) A VERY kind Yogi buddy (and fabulous teacher-Dolly Whitton-look her up if your in Brighton!) put me up for a few nights. I got my self and my bump behind the wheel of my little blue Micra and moseyed on down to fabulous Brighton town, which will always have a little piece of my heart!
The main course tutor Charlotte Smart was so lovely! An absolute pleasure to learn from, she had so much experience and knowledge to share, and was so supportive throughout the. We covered LOADS on the course and even learnt some Pilates style exercises to incorporate into our teaching.
We went over topics like…
- The Benefits of Ante/Post natal Yoga- HUGE! Physically, emotionally, spiritually, and mentally. Lowers risks of hypertension, stress, anxiety, fatigue, post natal depression, aches and pains, interventions in delivery. Increases body awareness, baby bonding, circulation, aids recovery, boost confidence, improves sleep, quicker healing post birth, builds community of support with others.
Wouldn’t be great if doctors prescribed it routinely really and councils funded community classes for all mammas for free?!
- Anatomical Changes in the pregnant body-MIND BLOWING STUFF! Blood volume for instance increases up to 50%! We also covered conditions where poses need to be adapted to suit each mama’s unique body.
- Hormones, pelvic floor, abdominals….All very important in understanding and supporting women. Raising awareness and not being scared to talk about the pelvic floor for instance…
-1 in 5 women were having bladder issues at the time of their post natal visit (6 weeks post partum)
-63% still leaking at 3 months post partum
-33% still leaking at 9 months post partum
- The Trimesters-not forgetting the 4th trimester-after the birth!
- Changing postures and sun salutations accordingly. And what poses can be good for what.
The main nugget of wisdom to bear in mind here is that in Pre-natal yoga we aren’t pushing the body into developmental stretches, we are more focused on maintenance. For a seasoned yogi or a fitness lover who loves to push themselves in classes, emotionally, this can be a really hard thing to accept. Dropping that mentality, and instead giving your body what it needs. This in turn for a new mum is a lesson in its self of things to come. Change will happen. And that’s OK.
- Lesson planning and teaching one another-always a joy when us teachers get to be the students!
- Breathing/Pranayama. Obviously, this is going to be super important for ladies in labour as well as general relaxation, so I think it’s a really key factor in teaching to pregnant women. I learnt some great techniques from Charlotte and keen to pick up this Gem of a book she tipped my off about! To share more techniques with my ladies…Mothers Breath by Uma Dinsmore-Tuli (Yes please Santa!)
- Visualisations and meditations. again really lovely aids to use in birth.
- Mantras and affirmations. I’ve personally found these really beneficial and plan to use them when I give birth…“I trust my body, I trust my baby”
- Preparing for birth, what happens, and different types of delivery….
Did you know that when the baby comes out and latches on to your boob it releases oxytocin which in turn helps the placenta to be delivered! Hormone witchcraft!
- Nutrition
- And of course Health and Safety
Well as you can see from my brief run down of course content, it was packed full of wisdom and wonderment! I finished the course feeling like a superwoman! Having this body that was not only supporting 2 lives, but will grow and change as my baby does and then allow it to come into the world! I’m so happy to have gained my qualifications in teaching Pre and Post Natal Yoga. I’m hugely excited to be teaching, empowering and supporting women through this amazing journey of pregnancy and beyond. Teaching yoga always feels like a privilege, having this opportunity to add pre and post natal lessons to my offerings too and be part of this sacred journey that many women take is an absolute joy.
Current Classes and Plans for the future!
I’m currently teaching reduced rate classes at a very affordable £5 a class at Woodfalls Methodist Hall Wednesdays at 6:05-7:15. I’m hoping to be able to offer this all the way till Xmas 2019. Booking essential so get in touch if you’d like to come along! I’ll be due with my own little bundle mid January 🖤 So I plan to take a break and start up teaching again in the Spring! Post natal-“Baby and Me” classes of course to follow too! I’ve also started up a little group on Facebook for local Mums & Mums to be focusing on wellbeing, health, and generally a support network where tips, info and encouragement can be shared. Head on over to Re-Root Mammas to join, all are welcome! You don’t have to attend my classes to join!
I hope you’ve enjoyed me sharing my experience with you all, on this ever winding path of learning and Yoga that I love so much! Speaking of experiences…Will I be writing a blog come February about our birth story!? We’ll see!
