The British Wheel of Yoga now trains qualified yoga teachers to teach specialist yoga classes and gradually classes are springing up in areas outside of London including the South East.  The training is very in-depth and covers all aspects of pregnancy and yoga.  Classes are suitable for women who are in their second and third trimesters (over 14 weeks pregnant) and can be continued right up to the birth.  It is possible to join even in the latter stages, proving beneficial even after just a few sessions.

Midwives are actively encouraging yoga in pregnancy as they are seeing first hand the benefits such classes bring, knowing that often it will make their job easier!  Many women are able to give birth with relatively little pain relief and often no medical intervention.

Teachers are trained to help alleviate all the discomforts of pregnancy with suitable modified yoga postures, and to help encourage the baby into the optimal foetal position ready for the birth, thus allowing the labour to progress as smoothly as possible. Teaching good habits, such as good posture when seated or standing, keeping knees lower than the hips, thighs sloping down away from the pelvis, and lying on the left side will all encourage the baby to adopt this position.  Fewer babies then engage in the posterior or breech position, lessening the need for a caesarian delivery. Pelvic floor exercises are taught to encourage strength and flexibility, hopefully avoiding problems after the birth such as stress incontinence, and prolapse.

 Exercises are taught that can be practiced during labour, and these can help speed up the second stage, sometimes even helping to turn an OP position baby into the OA position.
Breathing techniques are also learned, encouraging mums to breathe in a calm and controlled manner helping to stop feelings of panic and being out of control.

Relaxation sessions are a vital part of the classes, enabling mums to have the chance to slow down, unwind, and relax to guided talk through visualizations with music, and give valuable time to help bond with baby, cultivating a positive attitude towards the birth and beyond.

The social side of pregnancy classes is important too, giving new mums particularly the chance to make new friends and to compare notes!  Students become very sensitive, supporting one another, giving helpful advice and tips, with many staying in contact and becoming firm friends.

After the birth, recovery periods can be much quicker in women who have practiced yoga during their pregnancy.  Pelvic floor muscles are strengthened, and general muscle tone and strength is soon regained.  Due to the gentle nature of yoga it is possible to return to an ordinary yoga class soon after the birth with a qualified tutor and the permission of the midwife/GP.   These classes will then help mums to become physically fit, learning to relax with valuable ‘me’ time in their new busy lives looking after babies and small children.

Linda Beach has taught Hatha Yoga classes for over 25 years, as well as Stress Management classes, both privately and for Adult Education Centres in South East Essex and now teaches Hatha Yoga in the Hadleigh, Southend-on-Sea area with daytime and evening classes. Specialist Pregnancy classes in small groups (or on a ‘one-to-one’ basis if preferred) are also available.  Post Natal Yoga now also available.  For details, please check out her website, www.lindabeach.co.uk  or email to; Linda@lindabeach.co.uk . Tel: 01702 552260