Yoga from Pregnancy to Postnatal
Are you wondering when is the best time to start pregnancy yoga, or at what age to bring your little one to a baby massage class? We've compiled a list of FAQs to provide all the information you need for your pregnancy and postnatal journey at our Sheffield yoga centre.
Pregnancy yoga and our mum and baby post natal courses have been a staple part of the studio for years. Nicola, studio founder, began her pregnancy yoga training when students were expecting and she didn't want them to miss out on attending class.
We now offer the widest range and number of classes for pregnant mums and it's our mission to make pregnancy, birth and beyond a special and unforgettable time with our classes. We are honoured to nurture and support Sheffield's Mum community from our Ecclesall yoga studios.
Our highly trained teachers hold a wealth of experience and genuinely want our mums have the best births they can. The techniques taught in our classes always get amazing feedback and are the key to calm and successful births.
Browse through our FAQs to find out more. If there's anything you need to know simply contact us for a chat to see how we can help!
Pregnancy Yoga
From what gestation can I attend pregnancy yoga classes?
You are welcome to join us at class during any stage of your gestation. Each class begins with an opening circle to chat through how everyone is feeling and ensure the class is appropriate for all. Your teacher will provide options throughout the class to make sure everyone can participate within their level of comfort and ability. If you're feeling particularly exhausted (pregnancy fatigue can hit hard!) in those first few months, or suffering with pelvic girdle pain as your bump develops, your teacher will guide you through the session with modifications to make the class work for you. After all, every pregnancy is different!
Can I join other yoga classes, like hatha or vinyasa, during my pregnancy?
You can book other classes during your pregnancy, but please drop us a message first to let us know before you attend. That way we can make sure your teacher is aware of how to modify the practice for you. For example, no deep abdominal twists and being mindful of hyperextension to practice yoga safely during your pregnancy. As you head into the third trimester we would advise pregnancy yoga as the best class for you. Simply because each session is tailored to be pregnancy friendly and includes aspects such as breathwork for birth, meeting other mums-to-be and that all important relaxation!
How much of a workout are the pregnancy yoga classes?
Pregnancy yoga will provide you with aerobic exercise, whilst gently strengthening muscles and maintaining suppleness through your body. It won't leave you sweating like you might after an Ashtanga class or dynamic vinyasa, but involves more movement than yin or restorative.
After class your muscles should feel warm and worked, your mind calm and relaxed and hopefully you'll notice those pregnancy aches and pains easing.
Do I need yoga experience to attend pregnancy yoga?
You don't need any previous yoga experience or yoga ability to attend pregnancy yoga! There is no better time to start yoga than during your pregnancy. The techniques you will learn will help you through your pregnancy with minimal discomfort.
Yoga helps the body to become more flexible and teaches you to use the natural ligaments elasticity. Both help you to adapt your positions during labour and can reduce pain.
Can I give one class a go before committing to regular practice?
We offer a variety of class passes when booking your session at the studio. You can drop-in to a single class for £14. Or, if you are a new student to the studio then you can purchase our introductory pass rate; £30 for 3 weeks.
If you decide you'd like to attend regular practice you can buy 5 classes for £60, 10 for £115 or opt for a membership subscription. Find out more about our pricing.
Birth Rehearsal
When during my pregnancy is it best to attend the Birth Rehearsal workshop?
The best time to attend a birth rehearsal is around late second trimester / early third trimester. You need to leave at least a few weeks before due date to put those breathing techniques into regular practice!
How much does this cost and does the price include bringing my birth partner?
Our Birth Rehearsal workshops are 4 hours long, and usually take place on a Saturday. They are priced at £78 for you both to attend and together you'll learn:
Breathwork for birth
Birthing positions
Relaxation techniques
Ways to cope with your labour
Massage
We have older children, can they come with us to the workshop if we're unable to get childcare?
Unfortunately we are unable to accommodate children during the workshop. If you are keen to book a workshop but are unable to attend upcoming dates due to childcare, please get in touch with us to see if we can help.
Postnatal Courses
What postnatal courses do you offer for mum and baby?
You can find the full listings over on our workshops page, but here's a rundown of the courses we regularly run for Sheffield Mums and babies:
Postnatal recovery. The first step back to re-aligning and re-connecting with your body after birth.
Postnatal recovery core revitalisation. A step up from our postnatal recovery, this focuses on continuing to strengthen and stabilise your core.
Mamas and babas back to yoga. Regular yoga practice for Mums who feel ready to enjoy some yoga flows and experience more of a workout.
Baby massage. A wonderful bonding experience for pre-crawling babies. Learn techniques to soothe your little one and help relieve common complaints such as trapped wind and colic.
Knackered mums club. A 2-hour relaxation experience for mums with children of any age! A mini child holiday and digital detox to reset and recharge using yoga, mindfulness practice and a soothing gong bath.
How much do the courses cost and how do I book on?
All of our postnatal courses are 4 weeks long and cost £39 for the 4 week duration. They're located at our Sheffield yoga studio, just off Ecclesall Road in The Reach, near the Co-Op. You can book online via our BSport - you'll need to setup an account and from there you can add and manage all studio bookings.
Why is BSport showing me a pack instead of the course price?
We offer different passes to book our courses and classes. Simply hit the dropdown 'Post Natal' at the point of booking (see image below) and you'll be able to select the £39 pass.
You can also choose to buy a postnatal pack which includes access to multiple activities.
How soon after birth (vaginal or C- section) can I attend postnatal recovery?
You can attend at any stage postnatally at which you feel ready. This is regardless of whether your birth was a vaginal delivery or C-Section. The beginning of the course is about understanding where your body is currently at, and Nicola will ensure the activities are appropriate based on your stage of recovery and type of birth.
Do I have to do the postnatal courses in order, or can I attend whichever feels right for me at the time?
If you feel your stage of recovery is more aligned to the core revitalisation (postnatal level 2) then you are very welcome to attend this without previously attending the postnatal recovery level 1.
Likewise, you may have done recovery classes elsewhere or under the guidance of a physio or similar to begin steps towards exercising post-birth. In this instance you might want to join the mamas and babas back to yoga class. In this course you can bring baby and enjoy regular yoga practice to begin strengthening muscles and building stamina.
In summary, you are best placed to see which course resonates with your current stage of recovery and do not have to join the courses in order. Nicola has years of experience in teaching pre and postnatal, and so can provide 1-2-1 guidance in classes to meet your level of ability. Whichever class you opt for!
At what age can babies come along to the postnatal courses?
We suggest that our courses are most suited for pre-crawling babies. We have plenty of cushions to keep them comfy and many love to watch what's going on, or simply snooze through the class. Teachers are always on hand to give a cuddle here and there too, if your little one would rather be held!
Being timely is something that can quickly go out of the window when a baby is involved. So please note there is no pressure to arrive on time, and you are of course welcome to step back from the class whenever you need to for nappy changes, feeding etc.
What do I need to bring to classes?
Simply bring yourself, your little one (if they're joining you!) and a muslin for the cushion. Plus, anything you need such as and nappies and toys. We have plenty of mats and cushions and often the babies don't need anything else as they are content watching - but you are of course welcome to bring toys for additional entertainment!
My baby is older than 6 months but I'd like to get back into exercise, which course is the best for me?
We generally recommend pre-crawling babies are the best age to attend class, but babies can attend a little past this stage as long as you feel you'll be able to take part with baby there.
If you have already completed some recovery then you could join our core revitalisation or mamas back to yoga courses, or start from the foundations of re-alignment and re-connecting with your body at our postnatal recovery.
I have older children at home on the days of the courses, is there a way I can still attend?
We welcome older children to the classes and enjoy meeting older siblings and watching them interact with your littlies.
We do ask that you use your judgement as to whether your child(ren) would enjoy accompanying you, that you are responsible for them when they are in the studio and that you bring appropriate entertainment, snacks and drinks that will not interrupt the class whilst it is in progress.
Hopefully that covers all you need to know, but do get in touch if you need any more information or have questions about booking. In the meantime, we'll leave you with some lovely words from our pregnancy and postnatal students 💚
"I attended pregnancy yoga during my last pregnancy, and throughout my current one. In between, I also attended postnatal yoga and baby’s massage… and I’ve honestly loved them all. When I discovered I was pregnant again, yoga was one of the things I was most looking forward to! Thank you 😊 "
"Nicola, is the reason I keep coming back - she is incredible. Her care for pregnant women and new mums is unmatched by anyone. Her studio is vibrant and I love to attend. When I enter I feel at home, like I can take a big breath. I love yoga with Nicola and cannot recommend her and this studio enough."
"Most recently I’ve come to YATR for the pregnancy yoga with Michelle. The classes helped me feel strong, flexible and calm throughout my pregnancy. Michelle was a wonderful teacher- so positive and supportive!"
"I'm not currently attending any classes but have done pregnancy, baby yoga, pregnancy again, postnatal and baby bells and gongs. I come back because pregnancy yoga was the best thing I did during my pregnancy - it meant I had two labours (both very different) where I only had a small amount of pain relief and managed the rest with the breathing techniques. ... Nicola's knowledge of pregnancy, labour and the post natal period is helpful in a way I didn't know I needed until I had it!
It's also reassuring when needed. I made some mum-to-be friends in pregnancy yoga first time and we would regularly meet up once the babies were born, and still see some of them now and again and those babies are now 4! "
"The pregnancy sessions are exactly what I was looking for - I always feel taller and more relaxed when I leave and confident that the poses are pregnancy friendly and impactful. It also makes me want to do more at home to maintain the feeling!"
"I've loved going to Nicola's postnatal yoga classes at the Reach, for my first child 5 years ago and again now! The post natal level one was very nurturing and gentle, perfect for the first stages of recovery after birth"