Course contact hours (45+)

• An embodied approach to yoga in pregnancy and postnatal period.
  • The journey into motherhood, a time of transition and a rite of passage 
  • A holistic approach to their postnatal journey
  • The  new mothers journey, a time of transition and a new beginning..
  • Rebirth, rather than a striving to ‘get back to normal’ 
  • The importance of recognising the uniqueness of every individual. How we can meet them where they are.
  • How yoga practices and principles can help - cope with changes;  overcome and reframe negative experiences; release expectations; encourage rest; bring the body into a beneficial parasympathetic state (which is helpful for healing, mental health and bonding).

• Group practice: 
  • There will be at least 1 guided meditation, relaxation or yoga nidra practice per session - the theme will be related to that day's topics and are examples of practices that you could share.
  • Each day there will be practical pregnancy or postnatal yoga & movement practices
  • Students will get the chance to discuss and brainstorm as we go through the course.

 

• Anatomy, Physiology & Emotional aspects of Pregnancy and Birth 
  • Overview of the 3 trimesters of pregnancy and of birth.
  • Hormonal and psychological aspects of pregnancy and birth.
  • Past trauma, fears and their influence on the experience of pregnancy and birth. 
  • Common ailments and possible complications 
  • Pelvic health for pre and early postnatal mothers

 

• Anatomy, Physiology & Emotional aspects of the postnatal period
  • Hormonal, physiological and psychological aspects of birth.
  • The changes to a woman’s body post birth. 
  • Medical definitions of postnatal
  • Early postnatal- hormones, recovery (incl looking at different kinds of birth incl. stillbirth & late miscarriage)
  • The psychological and mental impact birth can have.
  • Common after effects and possible complications 
  • The effect of birth on pelvic health

 

• Breathwork for pregnancy & postnatally:
  • Reacquainting women with their breath.
  • The effects of the breath on how we feel and via versa 
  • Breathing techniques that can be beneficial in pregnancy and for labour. 
  • Breathwork for post-birth healing and the stress of life as a new mum.

 

• How to nurture and empower mums/new mums to be through your classes
  • Our role as guides- what we are and what we aren’t . 
  • Sensitivity for women who have encountered loss/ birth trauma. 
  • Helping women to unpick their preconceived beliefs about birth, and to open to the knowledge we can’t control what will happen. 
  • Being open and non judgemental about people's wishes for pregnancy and birth, whether it ties it with our own values or not.
  • The importance of knowing when to refer

 

• Practical Skills for Teaching 
  • The 1st trimester whether to teach, practicalities and considerations.
  • Adapting for each phase of pregnancy, including labour and for common conditions. 
  • The use of props to help make women more comfortable and poses more accessible. 
  • Ways to teach/ set up a pregnancy/postnatal yoga class and creating a safe space 
  • 1-2-1 sessions
  • Safety guidelines for yoga in pregnancy and postnatally
  • What is postnatal? how should it influence our sharing with new mums
  • What to teach when- aiding the journey of rebalancing and recovery
  • How can we help with postnatal rehab of pelvic floor and core muscles.
  • Benefits of focusing on the new mum rather than mainly the baby
  • Postnatal yoga for women who have lost their baby.
  • How to nurture and empower new mums through your classes 
  • Practice in groups - opportunities during the course to practise teaching each other and finding adaptations. 
  • Working within and from your own style of teaching.

Post course consolidation 
Often it is only once we have started to share our new skills that we become aware of the most pressing questions. 
Therefore after you have started to teach this work there will be opportunities to ask any questions about what you have encountered so far. This is generally best done by well thought out emails or via face to face messenger /whatsapp.
A scheduled group video meeting to check in and discuss teaching practice.

Non Contact hours 

• Pre-course resources and study
  • Access to our pregnancy and postnatal resources pages with a wealth of links, books, videos and podcasts. 
  • Online sample classes, yoga nidras, meditations and breathwork (a mix of scripts, videos and audio recordings).
  • If you don't already have one then we ask that you begin your own regular home practice (asana and meditation). Keeping a record of this is beneficial both for your own self development and for exploring pose adaptations for pregnancy .

 

• Post course: 

Practical development: 

• Students will be expected to teach 5 lessons either to a group of pregnant women, as 1-2-1’s or a mix of these. 
• Plus 5 postnatal classes/1-2-1’s 
• Provide us with a video/ written script of the classes taught and your evaluation of their success (including any useful feedback from attendees)
• A written or recorded reflection on an area of pregnancy/postnatal yoga or the pre & postnatal period that interests you including. Plus how, if at all, this has affected your practice and teaching.
• Online quiz to complete and check learning.