Yoga can help women get through their pregnancy with minimal discomfort. It also helps the birth and post-delivery stages.

Independent midwife Manijeh Nedas says: 'In my experience, I believe that yoga plays a very important role in pregnancy. Generally, pregnant mums who do yoga exercises appear healthier, both in mind and body. Their bodies are more flexible, which enables them to adapt to various positions when in labour and the ligaments are more elastic, which in turn can help to reduce labour pain.'

Yoga classes help to boost circulation and also help with fluid retention. The stretching exercises relieve aches and pains.

Posture is also improved by yoga and this can help ease back problems, which are common in pregnant women. Yoga helps to prepare for the birth - it encourages breath and body awareness, reduces worry and teaches women to adapt to new situations.

Birthlight Yoga is an adaptation of classic yoga practices (posture work, body movement, breathing, relaxation and chanting) for pregnancy and childbirth

Birthlight offers a comprehensive programme of Yoga from pre-conception to the postnatal period.

Yoga is one of the best forms of exercise during pregnancy, a gentle, safe means of keeping toned and supple without strain, of keeping aches and pains at bay and energy flowing, of relaxing mind and body, and preparing for the physical demands of birth – and motherhood itself. Mothers to be get practical support to prepare for labour but most of all the emphasis is on preventive care and laying the best possible foundation in the transition to parenthood. Each birth is unique and Birthlight instructors strive to give special attention to each new mother, whether she is having her first baby or she is a busy mother already.

Classic postures, rhythmical sequences and movements, integrating the flow of the breath at all times have been carefully adapted to the needs of pregnant women over twenty years of teaching experience. Bodywork is complemented with subtle breathing techniques, mudras, the use of sound and deep relaxation.

Is Yoga Safe in Pregnancy?

Our style of Yoga is gentle and safe for all women, whether new to Yoga or with years of practice. Simplicity in practice relies on a growing understanding of the effects of yoga on women’s physiology supported by the latest scientific research and exchanges among midwives worldwide. Gentle postnatal exercises gradually help the new mother to regain physical strength, tone their muscles, enjoy deep relaxation and develop close bonds with their baby.

Yoga can provide the support needed at this time of change, helping the new mother to nurture herself and the baby. In Ayurveda as well as in other world traditions, pregnancy is a special time for mothers to grow strong and well together with their babies. Birthlight aims to promote the greater enjoyment of pregnancy, birth and babies from a holistic perspective. Whether coming from a background in Yoga or Midwifery or both, Birthlight trained teachers help women to keep fit and relieve common ailments as well as to experience well being in their transition to motherhood.

Why Choose a Birthlight Pregnancy Yoga Class?

Our work with Birthlight is body-based, we follow the changes, both physical and emotional, that affect each woman differently along the journey of each pregnancy. We are highly trained in facilitating a gentle awareness of all these intense transformations from conception to the other side of birth. We believe that this awareness or mindfulness, that is the foundation of yoga practice, particularly of breathing in relaxed stretches, helps women to discover or regain their inner strength and their intuition of what is best for them, their babies and their families. This is the specialness of what we do. Not just information, although we have it at our fingertips. Not just yoga postures with a bit of breathing and relaxation, but yoga that reaches hearts and uncovers inner joy and well being.

Yoga continues to have benefits after pregnancy, too. Postnatal yoga, which can be started about six weeks after the birth, strengthens abdominal muscles and your pelvic floor. It also helps you to get back to your pre-pregnancy shape faster