Exciting news for all our soon-to-be Moms {again}! We have added a Prenatal Yoga Class Sunday’s at 12:00pm!!

We realize there are special requirements that come along with your baby bump and hope to make your pregnancy more comfortable through delivering the physical and mental benefits of yoga. Pregnant mothers in all trimesters are invited to join this class designed to promote health and well-being to expectant mothers and their growing wombs.

Gentle flow and stretching during pregnancy can help mothers combat some of the physical and emotional stresses of nurturing herself and her baby. Studies have shown that prenatal yoga can have positive effects on a mother’s quality of sleep, reduce stress and anxiety. In this class we will explore breathing techniques, modified asanas using blankets and cushions for added support and comfort, and relaxation techniques useful during labor and delivery. A yogi mother will be able to foster an inner confidence and intuitive wisdom that will transfer to her growing child inside. Happy Mother, Happy Baby!

Here are 5 Benefits of Prenatal Yoga from teacher Amy Lynch of mindbodygreen.com

1. The Breath: Breathing is a very important part of delivering a baby, it helps to relax the body and take your mind from the pain and strain.

That is exactly what the breath work, pranayama, part of yoga will do, even if you are not pregnant. Yogis use what is called conscious breathing to help “still the mind.” Yoga breath work also increases the depth of the breath. By learning “three-part breath,” or “Ujjayi breathing,” we learn to breathe to our bellies, which really means we learn to use the abdominals to breathe and use our diaphragm and really work the ribs to breathe. This allows us to get more oxygen into our bodies. Also, the exhalation of the breath is a natural relaxation for the body. If you notice, when you take a deep breath, on the exhale you can feel the muscles move down and release, that is because they are doing just that.

1. The Pelvic Floor: A strong pelvic floor muscle can enable a woman to carry a baby more comfortably during pregnancy and will help both the mother and baby during labor and delivery. Stimulating blood flow in the pelvic area after childbirth quickens recovery. In yoga, we often lift the pelvic floor to not only strengthen the muscle, but a strong pelvic floor brings lightness to a pose.

2. The Posture: Yoga can also help alleviate the pressure the lower back is under during the shift in gravity. By stretching the upper leg muscles and the lower back, tension will start to release. Partnered with the smart abdominal work, your body will feel less pain as it goes through the journey of pregnancy.

3. The Feet: Surprising to most, the foot actually has 26 bones, 33 joints and more than 100 muscles, tendons and ligaments. And although our feet get us around the entire day, we rarely take the time to take care of them, or check how we are using them, especially as that center of gravity moves over the nine months.

With the shift of the center of gravity in your body as your pregnancy progresses, this changes our stance and pressure in our feet and joints. Yoga will help you check in on how you are standing on your feet and help correct problems that may develop with pregnancy, such as over pronation and edema.

1. The Hips: Prenatal yoga can help bring back flexibility and comfort to the groups of muscles and bone structures in the front and back of the hips. Hormones released during pregnancy soften and relax joints and cartilage between bones in our pelvis to prepare it for child birth. However, getting the muscles ready is good to facilitate an easier birth for mom and baby.

Read more here: http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-4695/5-Benefits-of-Prenatal-Yoga.html

If you have a pregnant friend or family member – be sure to let them know about this weekly class on Sundays! See you {and your little bean} on the mat!