Dates & times of classes, and directions Testimonials & Birth Stories (see below)
Pictures Useful Links Yoga Biscuit Recipes Next Birth Preparation Day
See lower down the page for testimonials and birth stories
Being pregnant is a very special and amazing time for everyone involved - mother, father, siblings, friends and family. Yet there can also be many challenges to contend with, whether phyiscal, mental or emotional.
I hope that in my classes, women feel able to relax and get back to the reality of things - that unique connection that only they have with their babies, and that they can let go of 'stuff' for a little while and enjoy sharing space, chat and advice with other mothers-to-be.
Once you are 14-15 weeks pregnant, you can attend a class, and you don't need to start at any particular point, although the sooner the better. You can come right up until your due date - and beyond if your baby isn't ready to make an appearance!
The class offers you a place to relax and spend time with your baby, as well as getting to know other mothes in your local area. You will learn how to safely stretch and strengthen your body to keep it healthy and fit during pregnancy and with an eye on labour. We also look at breath techniques and positions for labour. Each class starts with herbal tea and a brief catch up on our week, and ends with a relaxation followed by a healthy snack (click here for some of my recipes!). Sometimes I invite a relevant therapist or professional to the class to share with us their knowledge and answer any questions, such as massage therapists, reflexologists, bowen therapists, doulas, NCT and LLL representatives, Home Birth and water birth experts and chiropracters.
I have three children of my own, born in 2004, 2007 and 2010, and hold a specialist pregnancy yoga diploma from the British Wheel of Yoga. I am passionate about helping pregnant women have a healhier and more positive pregnancy and labour. I regularly read and attend meetings and workshops to improve my understanding and knowledge so that I can continue to offer safe, helpful and fun classes.
I currently run two ante-natal classes - click here to see dates and times for pregnancy yoga classes.
Please contact me to book onto the class of your choice.
For a list of useful links to people and organisations in this area, click here.
Payment
You pay in advance for 8 classes (£72) which you can use over a maximum of 10 weeks. You do not need to send payment - paying on the evening is fine. (If for some reason you decide the class is not for you, you need only pay £10 for the class.) Once you are 32 weeks, you can pay for a block of 4 classes that you can use over 5 weeks (£36). Once you are over 35 weeks you only need pay £10 for each class individually. Concessions are available - please discuss with me.
Can't make a class?
Please note that if you can't make your regular class, you can come along to my other pregnancy yoga class instead (I teach one in Bath on a Thursday and one in Marshfield on a Wednesday). Or you can choose to do both if you like!
What to bring
You need to come in comfortable clothes, with warm things to put on for relaxation. You needn't bring a mat unless you have one that you would prefer to bring, but please bring a cushion and a blanket every week - this is essential. It's best if you haven't had a large meal just before coming, but don't be hungry - either have your dinner earlier, or ensure you have had a little something to keep you going till you get home
If you can, arrive 5 or 10 minutes earlier so that we can be sure to start on time and you have a chance to catch up with people before we begin. However, I never mind people turning up late - however late! There is also a chance to share experiences during the class, plenty of posture work to help keep you relaxed and energised during your pregnancy and lots of postures and breath work specifically aimed at preparing for labour. Keeping relaxed is key. The class always ends with a good relaxation and I try to be sure to tailor the session for everyone's needs. We also have a healthy snack and juice afterwards.
Testimonials and Birth Stories
- some comments from mothers who have come to my classes -
Gaby, who had twins, Sonny and Lilou, born in 2012"I just wanted to thank you for the yoga sessions...especially all the insomnia advice and sleep and relaxation techniques. I found them invaluable through the pregnancy, and will definately need them now the little ones are here!"
Maria, whose third baby, Cara, was born in 2010
"Thanks for all your help. The breathing techniques came in handy and the class gave me the time to get into the right mindset for birth."
Sarah, whose third baby, Oonagh, was born Auugust 09
"Thank you for the techniques you have shown me, although the birth ball was the last thing I wanted the relaxed jaw really did its job, as did keeping my palms open and just working with rather than against contractions. It was my best labour yet, you can't complain at three hours though - literally got to the hospital and delivered. Was lucky to make it on to the bed."
Brigitte, whose first baby, a girl, was born August 09
"I have a very good reason for not joining you and the other girls tonight. Our little baby girl arrived on Saturday 1st August 09 (she was due on the 2nd so only a little early). She was delivered at home with the use of a TENS machine, cold flannel, deep breathing, my own version of wide cat pose with Matt encouraging me to remain relaxed when necessary and to breathe when necessary... the pain made it difficult at times to remember to do both. The labour started at 1:30pm Saturday. I had the classic mucous plug show, waters break and contractions leading me to be 9cm dilated by 6pm when the midiwfe arrived at the house. Little girl was born at 7:50pm weighting 7.5lbs. She is perfect. Wow, I can think now - pretty quick for a first timer."
Funda, whose first baby, Yasemin, was born in June 09
"I was not at your class on Thursday as I had our little girl Yasemin Leyla at home at 5:15pm on Sunday 21st June! We're all well and very happy - she's gorgeous weighing in at 8lb 1oz! I had a wonderful, calm and pretty quick home birth with midiwfe Karen with me from 9:30am and Rose and Nicky backing up over the course of the day. I used your amazing yogic breathing techniques and Claire's fantastic spiralling/stretching, a bath, TENS, hot water bottle and several canisters of entenox to manage the pain. The breathing and movement came very naturally having practiced so much in the classes. Despite being mobile throughout, I delivered Yasemin lying on my side on the bed where I had been for just a few minutes! Humphrey watched the whole thing and was fantastically supportive, always there when I turned to check!
Unfortunately, I lost a lot of blood after delivering the placenta so had to be transferred to the Princess Anne Wing at the RUH in an ambulance - all a bit harrowing for poor midwives and Humphrey who had to follow us with Yasemin who was just minutes old in the car (lucky he'd put the car seat in earlier in the day). I stayed two nights and managed to avoid having to go to theatre for removal of enormous clots due to great midwives at the hospital and Nicky who came in the ambulance letting me persist in trying to get them removed by forceps using entenox instead. Doctors were also good in waiting for me to show some signs of recovery before rushing in with a blood transfusion, which I also managed to avoid. So I was glad my stay in hospital was as short as it could have been and it was helpful to get lots of advice from midwives while I was there. Yasemin even got to have her first bath with two Norland Nannies who were doing work experience at the hospital - such a funny sight - wish I had taken a photo!
I feel I had a really positive and truly amazing birth experience. I am enjoying grappling with breast feeding, despite being huge, very sore and sometimes so sleepy! Having our little girl and learning more about her each day is a great reward. Thanks for your wonderful advice and classes."
Harriet, whose second baby, Daisy, was born in May 09
"The labour was quick, 4 hours from start to finish, and felt very efficient! I thought I was going to be keen for an active labour but once I was on the bed (where I had to get to be examined) I found I didn't want to move anywhere. The breathing exercises were very helpful to me, I am sure, and the gas and air worked a treat (couldn't tolerate it first time round as it made me feel so sick, but I had an anti-sickness injection this time). The gas and air helped with the breathing as well. I was really pleased to have a normal labour with just gas and air after a very different labour first time around (back to back labour, epidural, instrumentla delivery), but I am sure the main difference was that this baby was the right way round and my uterus was well practiced. So, it was painful but felt like a very positive pain that was doing something very useful. After all the lovely normal labour it was a bit of a nuisance to have to go to threatre for manual removal of the placenta (with epidural) as it didn't want to come away on its own...
Sarah, whose third baby, Sophie, was born in January 09
"It is a fantastic class, George has a very calming manner and brings lots of additional useful information and advice helping you to remain as relaxed and positive as possible. Learning to relax using breathing techniques really helped in my labour, as did the various different positions using the birthing ball."
Becs, whose second baby, Casper, was born in August 08
"I found the class very relaxing - and I feel that it helped me prepare mentally for the big event that was ahead! Towards the end, I think that if I'd had the opportunity to do the class every evening, I would have done so!"
Jane, whose second child, William, was born in August 08
"During pregnancy it was the relaxation techniques I used mostly having been used to rushing around rather a lot and not being very good at stopping. During labour I was unable to use positions I had learned due to monitoring but the breathing techniques were invaluable and really helped me get through the contractions."
Charlie, whose second child, Toby, was born in November 08
"Pregnany is something to be treasured and with your help, it has been such a happy time for me."
Me with my children - Sonny and Gilah - in Pembrokeshire 2008