Get Yourself Moving: the benefits of YogaBellies for Pregnancy
Pregnancy is a special time in any woman’s life – whether it is your first pregnancy or fourth, there is nothing like the feeling of those first flutters of baby’s movement or going to the hospital for those awe-inspiring scans and having the reassurance everything is okay.
However, whether you are lucky enough to bypass morning sickness, cramps and more encumbering pain such as PGP, undoubtedly every woman will feel discomfort at some point during their pregnancy. The shear strain of growing and carrying a baby, and the loosening of the ligaments through the hormone relaxin, result in a huge amount of pressure being placed on our bodies.
It is the easiest thing in the world when you are feeling enormous and can no longer see your feet, or indeed so exhausted in the early stages, to just curl up on the sofa and stay on that sofa. BUT by doing that, you are going to make yourself feel more exhausted, even more stiff, and create more aches and pains. It also won’t help your labour and recovery! Adequate rest is important, more than that, vital, but so is MOVING. Whether you are new to yoga or have years of practice, Yoga for Pregnancy classes are gentle and safe for all women.
Each class lasts 1hr 15 minutes, and in that time we use traditional yoga postures (asana), adapted and beneficial for pregnancy and the common ailments associated with pregnancy. In class we always warm up the body; practice standing poses to help alignment and increase strength and stamina; practice on all fours to reduce the pull of gravity on internal organs; and practice seated poses to focus on hip opening.
This class ALSO helps you prepare for birth and motherhood and is so much more than just physical stretching. Each week focuses on a different aspect of pregnancy and birth; we have an informal group chat around the topic, learning from each others’ experiences and any expert advice I can offer. Yoga for Pregnancy classes also include an especially created combination of self-hypnosis and yoga nidra (deep relaxation) and breathing techniques for pregnancy and birth (pranayama.) Finally, there is a focus on connecting with other attendees of the class so you have a readymade network of support when baby arrives – we have active What’s App groups and regular mummy meet-ups. And once you have given birth, you can continue your journey with Yoga With Alice D in Nurture Baby Massage and Mum and Baby classes, both running in Wendover.
Yoga With Alice D Pregnancy classes run every Monday night, 19.00-20.15, at Halton Village Hall and every Thursday night, 19.30-20.45, at Dundale School Tring.
The classes sometimes get booked up months in advance so get in quick. They are booked in blocks of varying sizes ranging from 4 weeks at £48 to 12 weeks at £120, and are suitable from 14 weeks gestation to birth. Come and join the fun and giggles – contact yogawithaliced@gmail.com
Trying for a baby? Yoga With Alice D also offers personalised online fertility yoga courses.
At a different stage of life? Women’s only classes run weekly on Mondays 20.30-21.45 at Halton Village Hall.
Alice is truly inspiring and I believe every woman needs to experience one of her classes. I have been so very lucky to experience most of Alice’s classes and I have loved every one. As well as Pregnancy and Mum & Baby yoga classes Alice also teaches nurture massage for baby and women’s yoga both of which are just as wonderful.
Each class is so relaxed and feels so supportive. Having Alice with me throughout my own pregnancy and postnatal journey has been wonderful, she really is inspiring and provides such wonderful energy to everyone she meets.
