Benefits of antenatal yoga

Results of a study funded by baby charity Tommy’s, and published on Pubmed, show that UK researchers have studied effect of Antenatal yoga on pregnant women, finding that it can help reduce the risk of them developing anxiety & depression, and concluding that:

“Antenatal yoga seems to be useful for reducing women’s anxieties toward childbirth and preventing increases in depressive symptomatology”

Details can be viewed in full at:
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24788589

Some words from Bernadette about her pregnancy yoga course:

The course offers suitable and relevant yoga practices to promote a sense of well being during this important time and are an ideal way of practicing an energising, effective, subtle yoga practice, reaping benefits for both mother and unborn child.

Conditions either associated with pregnancy or other on-going health issues are always taken into account so that the emphasis is on what’s best for the individual, rather than a “one size fits all” approach.

Along with yoga asanas, there is emphasis on using the breath well, both throughout pregnancy and with a view to applying some techniques to manage labour, as well as practicing movements, positions and visualisation.

Although no-one can say for certain what kind of labour you and your baby will have, I can guarantee that you will learn key practices which will empower you both physically and mentally.

These will give you confidence in your ability to birth your baby, whether this is your first labour experience or not. Over the years I have been privileged to have taught thousands of women and their babies and am thrilled to be in the position of supporting women in their second, and even third pregnancies.

Course includes all materials and yoga equipment is provided.

The course includes:

• Practicing yoga asanas and energy-block releasing exercises
• Practicing a range of breathing techniques to promote emotional balance and good energy levels during pregnancy as well as also looking in detail how to use these techniques during labour & birth
• A range of pelvic floor exercises to both tone, strengthen & relax
• Experiencing deep relaxation and visualisation techniques to promote calm and ease physical, mental and emotional tension and anxiety and to enhance connection with the unborn child
• Optimal fetal positioning
• How to manage fear in labour and the impact on the body
• Visualisations and relaxation
• Mapping your pelvis
• Using water for labour
• Using ‘birth ball’ in pregnancy, labour & beyond
• Practice of labour positions, movement & sound
• A supportive, friendly environment where the opportunity is given to raise any issues relating to this significant time of life

The courses are suitable for women who are at least 12 weeks pregnant, whether or not they have any experience of yoga.

They are an ideal complement to NCT or parentcraft classes – they do not have the same content, particularly the labour techniques.