Prenatal Yoga beginning this winter on Nantucket
In an effort to support pregnant mothers on Nantucket and the teachers and organizations that support those pregnant mothers, I want to introduce you to Anastasia Smith and the upcoming prenatal yoga classes she will be offering.
Here’s what Anastasia has to say about prenatal yoga:
Why start practicing yoga while your pregnant? And what can you expect from a prenatal yoga class? I’m leading a six-week prenatal yoga session this winter at Nantucket Community School, and I’d love for you to join.
Here’s why:
- Your body is growing, and so is your family. Self-care is essential to establishing healthy family habits that you can pass on to your kiddos. Taking time to connect with your body and to manage your stress is an act of love worthy of emulation!
- Three words (maybe you’ve heard them before): optimal. fetal. positioning. When you stretch and tone your body, thereby bringing balance to muscular systems, your babe is more likely to position herself (or himself) head-down, bum-up, facing mom’s spine. This can make for an easier birth for both mom and baby.
- A mindful-based yoga practice has been proven to decrease maternal depression and to promote overall wellbeing in both babies and mamas. (link to study: http://www.uofmhealth.org/news/0808prenatalyoga)
- Finally, joining other mamas on their journey through pregnancy in a judgment-free space is a great way to cut out the chatter about what you should be doing as a mother, and to cultivate your own intuition and sense of empowerment. You’ve got this!
In the six-week session at Nantucket Community School, we’ll focus on breathing, relaxation, stretching and toning to help you enjoy your pregnancy and prepare you body and mind for birth. You can pre-register for the full series here. But drop-ins and drop-outs are okay, too.
While this series is appropriate for yoga newbies, I always recommend consulting with your healthcare provider before beginning a new exercise regimen during pregnancy. Even gentle yoga might not be appropriate for you if you have a history of miscarriage or placental bleeding during pregnancy. The good news is that as more and more research is done about yoga and pregnancy, the results show that many yoga poses are even safer than once thought. (link to study: http://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2015/11/16/455890447/say-yes-to-down-dog-more-yoga-poses-are-safe-during-pregnancy?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=npr&utm_term=nprnews&utm_content=2042).
Of course, feel free to be in touch (http://worldwisebirth.com) if you have any questions about the class or me. I look forward to seeing you on the mat. Until then, take gentle care of yourself and your growing babe!
