Prenatal Yoga
Prenatal classes are designed to optimize expectant mothers’ physical and mental health while promoting the bond between mother and child. Breathing exercises are emphasized throughout the class to calm the mind, and prepare the body for delivery. The poses are modified to accommodate Mom’s blossoming figure at each stage of pregnancy. Each is carefully chosen to stretch and strengthen muscles needed to support the body during pregnancy and childbirth. The class ends with a relaxation period. The instructor leads a guided meditation that not only relaxes and nourishes the body and mind, but gives Moms the time to focus and truly enjoy this short and special time with their child. Expectant moms from 12 weeks to delivery are best suited for this class. This class is also an opportunity to share experiences with other expectant moms.
Suggested Reading
All of the books below approach pregnancy and childbirth as a natural process that leaves mom and baby the center of the event. They have been read and recommended by our yoga instructors and other moms who have taken the Shakti Yoga Prenatal Yoga Class during their pregnancies.
Gentle Birth Choices by Barbara Harper, R.N. - Healing Arts Press, Rochester, Vermont, 2005
A beautiful book that talks about natural birth choices that result in safe, meaningful, family centered birth experiences. The reasons for adopting such an approach and why many of the current, routine medical interventions are not only unnecessary, but impact negatively on the mother and child are also talked about. Last, but not least, the most beautiful, gentle births are captured on the DVD that accompanies the book. Not only is this book informative, it will allow you to approach your birth without fear and with a sense of control. It is a favorite with our prenatal students.
Birthing From Within by Pam England, CNM, MA & Rob Horowitz, PhD - Partera Press, 1998
Another book that helps women to follow nature and their own instincts throughout the birthing process. This book touches on birth art and birthing practices in other cultures, as well as an outstanding section on non-pharmacological methods of approaching pain control. An empowering book that encourages women to tap into the unlimited sources of inner strength that we have used to birth our babies since the beginning of time.
Hypnobirthing, The Mongan Method by Marie F. Mongan, M.Ed., M.Hy. - Health Communications, Inc., 2005
A must read for every pregnant woman who wants to experience a natural birth. This book teaches expectant moms how to release their fear of the birthing experience and have a safe, easier, more comfortable birth through breath awareness and visualization. While reading this book our prenatal yoga instructor was struck by how this method mirrored her instinctive yogic approach to pain management during the birth of her first baby. This method allows mom to prepare and relax her body and mind to both transform/decrease the perception of pain and, in turn, decrease the length of the birth process. Welcome your new baby into the world with calm confidence and a sense of joyous anticipation. A CD of relaxation scripts is included. One nice touch is that one of the scripts is designed to be done with your birth partner in preparation for the birth.
The Birth Partner by Penny Simkin - The Harvard Common Press, 2008
A well respected and easy to read guide for anyone preparing to support a woman during childbirth. It is a very informative balance of natural support approaches and explanations/descriptions of what to be expected from a medical perspective. For the first time dad or labor companion especially, this is a well presented comprehensive preparation for their role in supporting mom.
Gentle Birth Method by Dr Gowri Motha & Karen Swan MacLeod Thorsons, 2004
A program to help women through their pregnancies month by month. The book focuses on a combination of several different natural methods to ease common pregnancy discomforts, prepare the body for an easier pregnancy and delivery, while optimizing the unborn child’s health. An Ayurvedic (Traditional Indian medicine Approach) diet is outlined in detail. The part of the book that I appreciated most was the visualization scripts to help mom prepare for her delivery without fear and with a sense of empowerment and excitement.
Spirit Babies by Walter Makichen - Delta Trade Paperbacks, 2005
While not for everyone, as it is a book written by a clairvoyant who teaches potential parents how to connect with the spirit of their unborn child, we love it. It includes lots of chakra meditation techniques to aid in making this connection, as well as descriptions of sessions with parents who have sought Makichen’s help while attempting to conceive. The book is mainly designed for couples trying to conceive, however, as someone who loves the idea of baby spirits being drawn to parents who are best suited to give them the kind of love and care they need most, our prenatal yoga instructor found it to be a fun, light read even after she was pregnant.