Postnatal Yoga
The days are long, but the years are short
Following birth, the miraculous relationship of mother and child unfolds, day by day, hour by hour. Each person is becoming more and more familiar with the other, and mother’s confidence grows as she more clearly understands her baby’s preferences, language, and personality. A flurry of emotions can accompany the joys, new experiences and unforeseen challenges of parenting, as mother integrates her children into her life and may begin to view her roles and responsibilities in a completely new way.
Postnatal yoga provides the ideal environment for mother and baby to bond, as baby observes and even participates in mom’s self-care routine. It is a space where every person is welcome exactly as they are, bringing all the smiles and messes and bottles and breasts, and a place where you connect with a tribe of moms embracing this similar moment in their lives.
In addition to awakening and firming the pelvic floor, attention is given to toning the abdominal muscles and encouraging reconnection of the deeper connective tissue. Working out the tension in mom’s shoulders, neck and back is also critical, as is improving her general posture so she can feed, nurse and carry baby in a structurally supportive way. Our practice improves circulation, thoughtfully tightens the ligaments that have been loosened during pregnancy, and stimulates positive energy in the body and mind. Meanwhile, baby gets to have fun too! Positioned on mom’s mat he or she has the perfect seat to view the impressive range of human motion, and mom can always perform a variation of our asanas and poses with baby in arms. By performing baby massage, singing simple songs and encouraging specific movements for baby we also stimulate development of the vestibular system and both hemispheres of the brain. Returning to our practice of mindful breath awareness, classes finish with a relaxing svasana (deep resting pose) or a sweet cuddle with baby.