What is Prenatal Yoga?

What is Prenatal Yoga …

Prenatal yoga is a very different type of yoga compared to what we think traditional yoga is. In our day and age we have taken the yoga poses, called asana, the physical part of yoga and created a yoga culture out of that. But, traditional yoga is more than just the poses. It’s a total body experience from meditation and controlling your mind and thoughts. It’s emotional and knowing you are the only thing in this world you can control and it’s physical. There are many diff parts to yoga (8 different parts actually) and a whole lifestyle it evokes that takes years to master. 

I don’t have years to help someone find and experience the benefits of yoga, I have 9 months if I’m lucky enough to catch them right when that little swimmer meets the egg or up till their due date. 

So what is prenatal yoga?

I can’t speak on the behalf of all prenatal yoga classes because my sessions are nothing like what others teach. 

I believe yoga has to evolve into something that can adjust properly and accommodate the pregnant body and mind. I also believe my yoga sessions have accomplished this and more. I like to call my prenatal yoga sessions “chatty yoga” because I believe just my talking to someone it can reach the almost same benefits as meditation without spending the time to figure out how to meditate. Again remember, we don’t have that kind of time, and I know my clients are coming to me for relief now. Also, notice how I use the word clients. Because the people that allow me to guide them through prenatal yoga are not students to me. I feel the title “student” and “teacher” have heavy rankings to them, in my yoga space, we are at the same level. Yes, I know what positions are safe for you and your baby and I have been through extensive courses to be able to call myself a certified prenatal yoga specialist. But, I am no different than my clients and the only way my classes and methods work is if we see each other as equals and come to meet on our mats as friends. Because when you chat with a friend, I feel, it benefits you just as much mentally and emotionally as meditation. And, side note, nothing is off the tables when you come to my yoga space, everything we talk about stays on the mat. 

So, what is prenatal yoga? 

I can only speak to my yoga sessions because a lot of it has to do with me and my ability to interact with many different walks of life. But, my prenatal yoga sessions are full of conversation, laughter, healing, lots of stretching and strengthening. I believe if we are talking we are breathing and if we are laughing our hearts and minds are finding balance and joy