IN CONVERSATION… PREGNANCY YOGA with Anna
This month, we're thrilled to introduce Anna, our expert yoga instructor and the inspiring lead of our Pregnancy Yoga Course. With over 15 years of yoga practice and a 500-hour teacher training course behind her, Anna's journey into pregnancy yoga began during her own experience as a mum-to-be. The blend of ancient yoga wisdom and Anna’s personal experience makes her the perfect guide for expectant mothers navigating this special time.
Whether you're expecting and curious about joining our Pregnancy Yoga Course or simply interested in learning more about yoga during pregnancy, this one is for you!
Can you tell us a little about your background and how you got started with pregnancy yoga?
Anna: I have been practising yoga regularly for about 15 years and wanted to share the benefits I had gained from this with other people. I started my 500 hr teacher training in 2018 and found out I was pregnant partway through my training. So despite this training not being pregnancy-focused focused it kind of was for me! I found the wisdom of the ancient texts we studied particularly pertinent. The phrase "This too shall pass" really helped me to accept my changing body, limitations/changes to my practice, pregnancy side effects etc. The ethos behind yoga in general is so relevant to supporting healthy pregnancies, meeting your body where it is on that day.
What motivated you to specialise in yoga for pregnant women?
Anna: I really enjoyed the pregnancy yoga classes I went to during both my pregnancies. I went to hypnobirthing classes and NCT too during my first pregnancy and felt there was such a huge overlap, and that actually almost everything was covered in the pregnancy yoga classes. I did my qualification in pregnancy yoga during my maternity leave with my first son, as I hoped to be able to give some of the confidence, calm and joy I got from classes to other expectant mums.
Anna, Pregnancy Yoga Teacher
What are some of the key benefits of practising yoga during pregnancy?
Anna: The benefits are numerous, and you can take whatever you want to away from a class. You could simply be looking to stretch and stay mobile, helping to relieve some of the aches or you might want to build relationships with other pregnant people. You may be looking to gain confidence in your body's ability to birth your baby or to learn some breath work to help you relax and feel calm. Along the way, you'll learn lots of postures and movements which will assist in getting babies in to optimal birthing position which can shorten the time you labour for, win, win!
How does pregnancy yoga differ from regular yoga?
Anna: There are some really obvious differences, for practical reasons such as not being comfortable to lie on your front, and then later on the same goes for lying on your back too. So that immediately rules a lot of postures out. But there's also a lot we include that you may not find in a regular class such as breath work which can be used during labour and pelvic floor stretching to support your pregnancy.
Are there any specific yoga poses that are particularly beneficial for pregnant women?
Anna: Lots, but it depends on the outcome your looking for, so we do lots of work on creating space in the pelvis, mobilising the hips, releasing the lower back etc but I think if you were just looking for one takeaway from this it would be get down on your hands and knees and have a stretch (imagine you have a paintbrush on your belly button pointing down at the floor and you are trying to paint circles on the floor)
What advice would you give to someone considering starting pregnancy yoga?
Anna: Do it! Haha no seriously, I think it is worth considering what you'd like to get out of the class. Whilst you can continue to do pretty much any type of exercise throughout your pregnancy as long as it feels OK and is something you've already been doing (...don't suddenly take up marathon training whilst pregnant for example) a pregnancy yoga class can give you tools for during your labour and help prep you for birthing your baby.
What does a typical pregnancy yoga class look like? Can you walk us through a session?
Anna: We start with a brief intro so everyone can share how their week has been, this is a really nice opportunity to gain reassurance that other people are going through the same thing, pass on advice, build relationships etc. Warm up, hands and knees work (great for getting babies in optimal birthing position), standing sequence, pelvic floor work, breath work, nice long relaxation - always!! Using lots of different types of relaxation and often hypnobirthing relaxation scripts.
What is the most rewarding aspect of teaching pregnancy yoga?
Anna: I'm so lucky to have been told by previous students that they felt they were able to have the birth they wanted in part because of their practice, and I absolutely love when I get to see the babies, of course!
Anna's passion for pregnancy yoga is truly inspiring, and her classes offer a wealth of benefits for expectant mums. If you’re interested in joining us then be sure to check out our upcoming Pregnancy Yoga Courses, we can’t wait to welcome you!