Postnatal Yoga
Taking Care of YOU
Life after the birth of your baby can be one big whirlwind of massive change, leaving you so vulnerable to stress and strain on many different levels.
Many women are overcome by the new demands of motherhood, failing to see that if they don’t take care of their own health, they will never meet their baby’s needs. Worse than simply not being able to cope, the long-term consequences of failing to take care of your post-natal needs (anxiety, depression, incontinence, sexual dysfunction, etc) can be far-reaching, and yet the methods of preventing or reducing these problems are relatively simple and easily fitted into the new demands of your daily schedule.
In Postnatal Yoga, our emphasis is on nurture and support. Practices are designed with your individual needs and resources in mind, to enhance your health at the physical, mental and emotional levels. We will work together to help speed your recovery – improving your body shape and alignment, re-stabilising the pelvic area, abdominals and lower back, and raising your spirits to let you enjoy your new life with baby. Most of all we will teach you to rest and relax, nurturing your mood and energy levels up to the level you want them to be.
And even if you do move to action, how can you be sure it is the right kind of action for your needs? For anyone tempted to leap back into your usual Yoga class after the 6 week period, please think again! Post-natal changes mean that your body has specific needs for about 6 – 12 months after the birth of your child, and for this period your Yoga practice needs to be properly adapted. A general Yoga class will include many practices that are simply not suitable for even the physical condition of your body (e.g. fast movements, inversions, wide stances, deep stretches, abdominal work etc.).
Postnatal Recovery
Because of the individuality of each birth, Postnatal Yoga is best offered in One-to-One Sessions.
The first session after childbirth is the Postnatal Recovery Session. This can take place even 2 or 3 days after birth, as the practices given will be aimed at allowing your body to heal and there will be no movement/posture practices include.
This will be an easy-going, informal session either at your home or at the hospital, allowing time during the session to tend to you and baby’s needs (e.g. meals, breastfeeding etc.). The practices given will be easy breathing and relaxation techniques, focused on decompressing the pelvic organs and maintaining your alignment whilst breastfeeding and otherwise taking care of baby. Specific practices will also be given to meet your individual needs, always taking into account the demands of your daily life. The aim will be to give you a 15 – 20 minute practice that will facilitate the healing of your body over the first 6 weeks
Subsequent sessions will continue this process, giving practices aim at re-alignment of abdominal and back muscles, the return of pelvic floor muscles to full functionality, improvements in your energy levels and development of your mental-emotional strength.
Making the Changes
One-to-One sessions are conducted by mutual arrangement, usually at either the teacher or the student's home, or at any other suitable location (e.g. local holistic therapy centre).
If you are committed to developing a Yoga practice to meet your postnatal needs (and beyond), please Get In Touch with me to arrange your One-to-One sessions.
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Explore Yoga: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Living