This class is for you if:
- you are pregnant
- you have a womb
- you are postpartum (if you’ve had a baby you are postpartum no matter how long ago you birthed)
- you identify as a women or women-aligned (this is intended to be language with includes trans-women, genderqueer people and femmes)

Pregnancy is a time of profound change: it can be both exciting and scary, challenging and joyful. During pregnancy, you may be feeling unsure of your changing body, and often feeling very different from one day to the next.

Throughout this perhaps unsettled and thrilling time, Pregnancy Yoga can provide a steady practice and space for self-care that evolves with you and your pregnancy. Providing you time to pay attention to yourself, and also bond with your baby.

We share practices that are empowering, grounding and gleeful with you, creating space for you to thrive and flourish.

Some of the benefits of pregnancy yoga:
- Reduction in discomfort in the last fortnight of pregnancy
- Lower levels of pain during labour
- Much shorter first-stage labour (2.5 hours shorter overall)
- Controls oxidative stress (precursor of inflammation)
- Lower incidences of conditions like pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, small for gestational age
- Reduced levels of perceived stress and trait-anxiety
- Activation of parasympathetic nervous system, helping to consolidate sleep & reduce stress
- Reduced levels of pregnancy-specific anxiety and fear of childbirth

Pregnancy yoga has consistently been demonstrated to be safe for low-risk pregnancies and babies.

This evidence alone provides a convincing case for pregnancy yoga: the benefits could combine to have a potent effect on the experience of pregnancy, childbirth and postnatal recovery.

From a more holistic perspective, we can begin to see pregnancy yoga as a vital movement which enables space, community and time to acknowledge your experiences, cultivating a deep awareness of yourself and your pregnancy.

You are welcome to join 10 minutes before the class to check in and say hello. You may have your camera on or off, up to you.

We'll start with a check in and say hello, then move into a welcome meditation, followed by movement, pelvic floor awareness, breath and rest.

We recommend having some props nearby: a yoga mat, blankets, a bolster (or a couple of big cushions), a block (or a large book). Anything else you need to be comfortable.

Please do get in touch if you have any questions regarding this class: harriet@nourishyogatraining.com

Harriet also welcomes any woman or woman-aligned person to join this practice as it is fantastic for supporting menstruation and the postpartum time as well.