Giving birth is one of the most physical things a woman will ever do. It’s been said that the same amount of energy needed to run a marathon is needed for labour. Just as we would not run a marathon without preparation, we should not go into labour without preparing physically for it. The physical poses (asanas) can help build strength and stamina, as well as opening and softening the body. 

Virabhadrasana II (Warrior II Pose) is a challenging pose which strengthens the whole body and opens the hips and upper body, helping to relieve backaches and sciatica during pregnancy and also improving balance. The pose also cultivates feelings of self-confidence and courage.

Meditation and breathing techniques improve our ability to relax and remove stress; activating the parasympathetic nervous system which is so important during birth, as we are then flooded with our natural pain relieving hormones, endorphins. When there is no stress in the birthing body, birth can progress smoothly and oxytocin flows freely. It is the concoction of good hormones that enables women to have pleasant, sometimes ecstatic births.

I have birthed two babies using drugs in an attempt to relieve the intense pain of contractions … and nothing I was offered provided any relief. I then chose to learn yoga and meditation to help prepare for the birth of my third. His natural, drug free birth was the easiest! 

I’m passionate about holding a safe and sacred space for women, where they can learn how to cultivate and trust their physical and mental strength, endurance and focus, ultimately empowering them to approach their birth with confidence and joy. In an environment that nurtures the nurturer, pregnancy yoga classes can give you the energy to enjoy your pregnancy, build a deeper intimacy with your unborn baby, your body and spirit.

Yoga teaches a mother to listen to the needs of her body and to trust the wisdom of her body and baby. Getting intimate with her body will enable a woman to rely more on this intuitive wisdom and less on rational thinking, which can interfere with the flow of birth.

By uniting the body, mind and spirit, yoga can help a mother to be fully present in each moment, however that moment is unfolding, and to allow the miracle of birth to move through her. When a woman gives birth with feelings of joy and empowerment, she is able to transition into motherhood and face all the challenges a new baby and parenting can bring with more confidence and self-assurance. 

Being fully present is at the heart of yoga practice. 

Movement and positions like those taught in yoga have been passed down for centuries to help women prepare for birth.  Many women are now using Yoga in conjunction with HypnoBirthing to strengthen their bodies and increase their physical and mental stamina.  The combination of HypnoBirthing and Yoga during pregnancy prepares a woman both physical and mentally  for the process of birth to move through her.

Many women start their love of yoga during pregnancy.  The postures feel very natural and offer relief from many pregnancy related aches and pain.  It is often very apparent to me as a teacher, the strength women can gain during their pregnancy.  Women who have started with no experience have amazed me with the courage at attempting balancing postures at 38 weeks.  When the body is put under stress in a strenuous yoga posture, women learn to notice that whenever discomfort surfaces, the breath becomes quicker, sharper and less fluid.  This is a direct response to stress and is a great awareness tool to prepare for birth.  Rather than running away from discomfort, yoga teaches us how to relax into it and surrender to the pose.  Just like we need to surrender to the birthing process.  Through breathing properly women are able to stay calm and in control, this gives great them power.

Yoga postures (asanas) help tone the muscles that are used for birthing and awaken vital energy within the body.  We cannot predict which journey a birth will take and we cannot control Mother Nature’s plan, but by being physically strong and learning correct breathing techniques a woman can control what happens on the inside and stay calm and focussed.  When the mind is at ease the body is able to work smoothly the way nature intended and suffering does not need to play a part.  Accepting our birth experience, just as we accept a yoga pose, we can trust, relax and surrender.  Yoga and HypnoBirthing fully support the birthing woman. 

Pregnancy yoga classes offer a safe space for women to share their concerns in a warm, supportive environment, where they can confide in each other about challenges that can rise during pregnancy.   Classes allow a unique opportunity for self nurturing, promoting physical, spiritual and mental wellbeing for both mother and baby.  It also provides a valuable quiet space in which to bond and communicate with the unborn baby. 

All classes end in Svasana, a 15 minute relaxation which is probably the most important part of any good yoga class when we make room for the stillness that is already within us, under all of the layers of busy-ness.  In that place of stillness there is great strength and power, it is the part of you that already knows how to have a baby.   Find your stillness.  Trust in the ancient practice of yoga.  Trust your body.  Trust your baby. 

"When the intelligence of the body is awakened through the practice of yoga, it will guide the woman throughout the pregnancy, making her feel perhaps more in touch with herself than ever before. She is then taken closer to her own nature and ready to flow with the moment of birth when it begins" - Frederick Leboyer

During the hot summer of 2013, I trained as an Aquanatal Yoga Teacher. Practising yoga in water whilst pregnant reduces your body weight which causes less stress on the body’s joints. 

It's harder than it looks! Because water is denser than air, these beautiful aqua goddesses holding Natarajasana Dancer pose needed more muscle force to hold this posture as gracefully as they did. Having already practised regular yoga during their pregnancy, the increased resistance provided by the water helped them gain extra strength. 

Balance becomes easier and you may feel more flexible in the water due to less stress on the joints, but it's important to go easy. If tendons overstretch, they may not return to their original shape.

Belly breathing in water strengthens the diaphragm which in turn ensures we breathe correctly. Chest breathing uses muscles in ways that may cause stress that can lead to pain in the quadratus lumborum (low back muscle) and neck … contributing to a general feeling of unwellness during pregnancy.  

Sometimes it's hard to try new things, especially when you're in the deep end! But by bringing your awareness inside, you can then focus on how your baby is also experiencing their life right now.


That was such a fun afternoon and thanks ladies for taking the plunge!