While pregnant myself I attended a weekly yoga class. Working in an office full time, yoga was a haven for me at the end of a very busy week. It was lovely to share each pregnancy milestone with women who were experiencing the same so we’re just as excited by every little bit of pregnancy related news as I was.
Since becoming a mummy myself, and qualifying as a Hypnobirthing Teacher I am a great believer in keeping mobile and practising relaxation during pregnancy to aid with well-being and birth preparation. So when I was approached by Charlotte at Turtle Tots East Surrey about teaching aquanatal yoga (Turtle Tums) I was thrilled at the prospect!
…with Turtle Tums we’ve created the same haven I enjoyed so much in my own pregnancy. A safe space where women can freely share all their pregnancy progress and make friends with other mums. Allowing themselves time out from their busy lives to bond with their babies.
Within a matter of weeks I was on a Birthlight training course with a wonderful tutor. Like me, she was very passionate about promoting wellness in pregnancy and supporting pregnant women through their journey into motherhood. Being a pregnancy and birth geek I had an amazing time exploring yoga in the water, and all the benefits it brings.
Swimming is the most recommended form of exercise for pregnant woman, however traditional strokes can put strain on the pelvis and lower back muscles. Aquanatal yoga combines traditional yoga poses and yoga breathing with water, this added advantage allows the woman to stretch without straining, which is particularly beneficial as their pregnancy progresses.
There are many benefits both physically and emotionally, some of which are:
Physical
- A safe, gentle and effective way to tone abdominal and pelvic floor muscles
- Promotes hormonal balance
- Increases oxygen supply to match increase in blood volume and cardiac output
- Maintain flexibility of the spine and joints
Emotional
- Promotes an intimate bond with one’s growing baby
- Nurtures calm and self-confidence through the emotional roller coaster of pregnancy
- Allows access to better and deeper sleep during pregnancy, which contributes to reduce anxiety and fatigue
The pace to which these classes are set avoids impact and overheating while allowing the woman to benefit from movements she couldn’t experience on dry land. Water is a soothing yet stimulating environment, so as well as providing access to deep relaxation in a quick and easy manner, it can be used in preparation for birth, especially water birth. Each move can be adapted to match fitness levels and swimming abilities, making it an ideal form of exercise for pregnant women.
I’m proud that with Turtle Tums we’ve created the same haven I enjoyed so much in my own pregnancy. A safe space where women can freely share all their pregnancy progress and make friends with other mums. Allowing themselves time out from their busy lives to bond with their babies.
I thoroughly enjoy teaching Turtle Tums classes and get great satisfaction when mums report how much they love the moves and how relaxed they feel after the class. It’s wonderful to know it makes a difference to their physical and emotional development throughout pregnancy.
For more info on aquanatal yoga with Small Acorn and Turtle Tums click here