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 PREGNANCY YOGA
For women from 14 to 40 weeks
Once described by a former student as, 'a youth club for
pregnant women' the pregnancy yoga classes are fun-flowing,
movement based
yoga. They are one and a half hours of energising, relaxing
yoga, where women feel nurtured. No previous experience is
required. Being pregnant is like a rollercoaster ride for a
woman due to the hormonal, mental, emotional and physical changes.
Gill's aim is that women can feel more comfortable in their
pregnancies and more calm and confident about birth. The yoga
classes are a supportive friendly environment where common
problems can be shared and addressed.
Yoga practices are carefully adapted for women with
medical conditions and injuries.
She has been working with mums and babies for over 9 years.
It has been a joy for her to work with so many women of all ages
and from different walks of life. There have been many mums
returning to the classes for second and third pregnancies.
'Yoga is an excellent exercise during pregnancy. It is
very gentle, and done at a pace that suits the pregnant woman. It
takes into account her changing shape and I think it teaches her
to relax. We are also beginning to see a move away from
technological childbirth to more natural childbirth again and
women are trying to prepare themselves to give birth with the
minimum of intervention if they can, and that involves preparing
themselves physically and mentally during their pregnancy for
their labour.'
Breedagh Hughes, Royal College of Midwives (In interview
on UTV Live, following filming and interview with Gill Henderson
and her class on 6 September 2004) |
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Pregnancy yoga helps to:-
Tone the body and ease out the back
Boost energy
Make space for the growing baby/ babies
Relieve stress and anxiety
Relieve pain during birth
Promote bonding with the baby/ babies
Relieve minor ailments |
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The yoga postures (asanas) that are taught are a mixture of
carefully adapted yoga postures for pregnancy and movement based
as, 'standing still for long periods of time is not to be
advised as the uterus can cut off the blood supply to the
feet.'
Dr Francoise Freedman.
Yoga breathing (pranayama) is taught as it promotes
inner calm, increases vitality and can increase the baby's oxygen
supply. It is a very effective way of also helping to control
anxiety and insomnia. Also practising yoga breathing (pranayama)
in pregnancy is necessary for it to become instinctive during the
birth process. Practices learned during pregnancy are invaluable
during a woman's life to help her to find an oasis of
tranquillity in a hectic world.
'Practising mindful breathing may lead to release of
muscular tension',
Janet Balaskas, Preparing for birth with Yoga
Time is always made for deep relaxation (Yoga nidra)
an opportunity for women to let go of any fear and anxiety in
their pregnancy and to connect with a deeper more intuitive side
of themselves. It is a great way of developing the bond that she
has with her baby/ babies. It promotes the attitude of witnessing
which is vital during childbirth as it breaks the mother's
identification with bodily pain.
Birthing positions, tips and breathing are taught when
the woman feels ready. This embodied knowledge can be transferred
to use during birth and labour
'Every selfless act, Arjuna, is born from Brahman the
eternal, infinite Godhead. He is present in every act of service.
All life turns on this law, o Arjuna. Whoever violates it ignoring
the needs of other has wasted his life.'
The Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 3 verses 15-17 |
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