(01904) 733752 
info@yogaco.co.uk
Yoga for Pregnancy
Yoga is one of the three forms of prenatal exercise recommended by midwives,
the others being walking and swimming.
Our form of yoga has been carefully
adapted to meet the needs of pregnant women. It is safe, empowering,
and backed up by an understanding of the effects of yoga on women's physiology.
What we do is supported by scientific research and contact with midwives.
We run two pregnancy yoga classes a week.
Wednesdays - 6.30 - 8.15pm
Thursdays - 6.30 - 8.15pm
“Sophie
- thank you so much for everything that you taught me - I learnt more from your
weekly classes than I did from the numerous books and magazines I read.
When we went to our antenatal classes at the hospital I was able to ask the
midwife questions I wouldn't have even thought were an option - for example birthing
the placenta without the use of the injection.
I
think you offer a truly amazing service to women who may start the classes
feeling anxious, nervous or scared and finish them feeling knowledgeable, safe
and confident in their own ability to birth their baby in the way that they
wish. Your support and understanding makes everyone feel
individual yet still part of a group. I really couldn't recommend your
classes enough.
“Sophie - I
had no idea that what I’d learnt with you would be so incredibly important for
the birth. I had no pain relief at all, no gas and air, not even paracetamol. I
just did my yoga breathing, sat on my ball, had my sacrum massaged as per your
birthing class, and welcomed each contraction as good! We were six of the seven
hour labour alone in the dark – the midwives thought we were asleep. Then half
an hour with just one midwife. I gave birth to my daughter kneeling on the floor and
she was put straight into my arms. I delivered the placenta myself ten minutes
later. She breastfed straight away for 2 hours and 2 hours later we were home!
This perfect experience is due largely to you – thank you so much.
For safety reasons we recommend that you do not start yoga until your 16th week of pregnancy, but book in before that if you can, as there is often a waiting list.
The classes are at Jacob's Well, Trinity Lane, off Micklegate - a beautiful, cosy medieval hall. There is free parking available.
Mats, blocks, blankets and yoga birthing balls are provided, but bring along two small cushions for extra comfort.
The YogaCo Yoga for Pregnancy classes will
- help ease common discomforts of pregnancy
- strengthen and stretch you in preparation for birth
- teach you essential breathing techniques
- help position your baby well in the womb
- deepen your loving connection with your baby
- increase your self-confidence
- provide you with information about your birth choices
- introduce you to other mothers-to-be in a very supportive environment
- have regular visits from community and independent midwives
- loan you birthing pools, birthing videos and birthing kits
Sophie Carr is a mother with 18 years experience in yoga. She specialises in yoga for pregnancy and has helped hundreds of women in York to ease and enjoy their pregnancies, as well as to prepare for the birth of their child. She has an inspiring approach to the joys of pregnancy, combined with practical experience spanning years of how yoga may help with the physical challenges of carrying a baby for nine months.
Sophie works in close contact with local NHS community midwives and doctors, the National Childbirth Trust and with Yorkshire Storks, the independent midwifery practice for the area. Sophie has extensive training in perinatal yoga: she has completed the British Wheel of Yoga Pregnancy Module, has studied Optimal Foetal Positioning with Jean Sutton, Active Birth with Dominique Sakoilsky and Post-Natal Yoga with Uma Dinsmore-Tuli.
Sophie's weekly pregnancy classes are great fun, with a strong sense of mutual support generated by her years of working with the needs of mums-to-be. She has a wonderful way of weaving her extensive knowledge of pregnancy and birth into the yoga classes. Many women make lasting friendships through the shared experience of the classes, and come back for more yoga through their second, third and fourth pregnancies.
Yoga can help with some of the common discomforts of pregnancy: back pain, cramps, nausea, heatburn, rib pain, insomnia, carpal tunnel syndrome. It teaches postural awareness and helps in realigning your changing body. You will develop strength in the legs and softness and openness in the pelvis, and learn to support your vulnerable back. Gentle stretches opening chest and shoulders provide more space to breathe, more room for the growing baby, and counteract "feeding hunch" before it begins. Pelvic floor exercises are the best preparation for quick post-natal recovery.
By balancing hormonal upsets yoga can help support emotional upheaval, while yogic relaxation is essential for rejuvenating a tired pregnant body, and for helping you deal with uncomfortable nights.
In class you will have time for being with your baby, and to connect
with your mothering instincts before birth. You will develop your inner
resources and prepare for the big day.
Yoga supports you as a mother, just as you look after your baby.
It is deeply steadying and grounding. It can relieve anxiety both by a
sense of well-being gained through the practice, and by developing a community spirit
by sharing experiences with other mothers-to-be.
We spend time each week discussing pregnancy pros and cons, and birth issues such as where to give birth, active birth, what helps and what hinders a normal birth. This is an essential part of the class, and mums-to-be find it good for widening their knowledge and choices around birth, as well as for making contacts with fellow pregnant ladies.
Members of the class often return, to show off their beautiful babies and tell their birth story, whether or not it went according to plan.
Yoga is an essential tool for childbirth.
The inner focus you develop with yoga helps access the "labour zone",
the instinctual state which allows you to birth normally.
The breathing techniques give you confidence and calmness to deal with the
pain of contractions. Mothers frequently say how useful this breathwork was for them during labour.
If your birth becomes complicated, using your breathing will help you
remain calm, able to make decisions without panicking. Relaxation
techniques enable you to conserve energy between contractions. Your strength work will
give you stamina, and your softening work will ease the birth.
Yoga is helpful for the days immediately following the birth of your baby, because it develops your intuition, encouraging you to trust yourself as a mother. Trusting yourself means that bonding with your baby and breastfeeding are instinctive. Relaxation helps you to cope with sleepless nights and promotes let-down of breast milk. Your pelvic floor will recover quickly. Good posture helps combat "feeding hunch" and aching backs.
We have extensive information about local services such as complementary therapy, the cheapest TENS machines,
nappy suppliers and ideas for supportive post-natal groups.
We have regular visits
from community and independent midwives.
Sophie also loans out inflatable water pools for home birth, waterbirth videos and homeopathic birthing kits.
Here are just a few comments made by the many hundreds of mothers who have attended the yogaCo pregnancy classes:
"The yoga kept me fit, informed me of choices and gave me confidence in my body's ability to carry and give birth to my daughter. Not to mention adding to the bonding experience, meeting others and having fun! I will always have fond memories of my Thursdays with you and all the other bumps!" Becca H.
"Yoga rescued my back during pregnancy. It gave me the confidence and techniques to breathe, move and make noise assisting a wonderfully positive birth experience resulting in a beautiful baby daughter!" Rachel G, York
"I'd never done any yoga before, so I didn't know what to expect, but I can honestly say it was the best preparation I could have done for the birth of my baby." Annie S, York
"Inspiring." Liz W, York
"On my first night I was immediately struck by the openness of the class, it was an atmosphere where people could share and be honest about their feelings. I got to know other pregnant ladies. The yoga itself was relaxing yet invigorating. I always felt revitalised by the end of the evening." Rachel B, York
"I shall really miss my pregnancy classes now my daughter is born. Thursday evenings just won't be the same. The breathing was fantastic during the birth, I couldn't have managed without it." Lorna W, York
"The yoga classes were really valuable. I took many techniques from the classes to my labour and am sure that they contributed to our incredibly positive experience. I have also gained a group of friends who I continue to be in touch with it will be lovely seeing the babies grow up together. Thank you for all of this." Lottie T.
"The postures we practiced proved very helpful during both pregnancy and labour." Ella P, York
"Pregnancy yoga was wonderful preparation for birth both mentally and physically. We practiced very useful postures and breathing techniques." Leone S, York
"Time to relax, connect with my baby and rejuvenate my body. I'd be lost without it." Abi T, York
"A great class, the perfect way to get exercise and build strength during pregnancy, while sharing experience with a supportive group." Rachel H
"Thank you so much, I have really enjoyed the yoga classes and will really miss you." Fiona W
"I have found the yoga really helpful and have enjoyed your dynamic and supportive style. The classes are really great!" Bronwen G
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