Yoga

[Nicola]

Ok going to post this in T1 and T2 because I know some T2's dont come in here and vice versa and I'm on the T1/2 cusp now anyway.....

Does anyone know anything about antenatal yoga? I've just booked myself in for my first class (starting 15/02) and hope it will help with fitness and breathing in labour etc. Plus I need to get out and meet other people etc, I've lived here 3 years and know not a soul!! So has anyone else booked up to do classes? or has anyone else done them in the past?

Any views/opinions?

 

[xHeatherx]

I haven't done them but the midwife recommended yoga. She said it makes labour easier. Go for it, nothing to lose by doing it and you might make some good friends there. Hope you get on ok. Sorry not much help with this reply!

 

[Ali K]

I'm not doing yoga but I'm doing an excercise class specifically for pregnant women. It's great because you strengthen those muscles that will become more and more important throughout pregnancy and labour, we also do light weights for your arms so you are better prepared for carrying around a 6lb upward baby and, as you said, you get to meet people! I'm in the same boat, I don't really know anyone out here, especially anyone pregnant!

Go for it, it also might mean that you're in better shape when the baby's born and so it'll be easier to lose the weight!

 

[Nicola]

Thanks for the replies ladies. Evidently the class does focus on breathing and specific bits and pieces heading towards labour etc. I've searched this area high and low and it's the only ante-natal around here. My local leisure centre used to do specific aqua-natal classes and a light ante-natal aerobics but stopped both as they weren't hugely popular and they could find other classes to make better use of the time type thing. Typical, the midwife suggested yoga to me also so there must be something in it: if nothing else might be a social outing for me on a Thursday!!

Ali: Where in the States are you from? Are you from the UK originally? I only ask because I spent almost 3 years living out there (VA mainly although a lot of time in PA and DE). Also worked over in MO and AZ so I've got a pretty good feel for those areas if you were around there and fancied a PM chat about things on offer there! xx

 

[Ali K]

It seems I'm in about the only State you haven't lived in! I'm in Seattle, WA! So what took you to so many states? It's my husband's job that brought us here! I'm 23 weeks preggers and we've been here 23 weeks!

Ali x

 

[Nicola]

MO/AZ was one of those Camp America things, the MO one lasted a little longer than camp though, I was on a girl scout camp there and ended up working with the G.S Coucil after camp. After I graduated University I moved to VA for work (marketing for a corporate fitness company there) I lived there for 2 years (Reston - about 15 minutes out of D.C on the metro) and met a guy from PA, he was working in VA living in PA at the time, his family were in DE and between them I spend a lot of time wishing that MD didn't exist or just wasn't in that location as driving between states isn't fun and MD was just always in the way adding time to the journey!! I've been to 22 states and have to say WA isn't one of them!!

 

[Ali K]

Firstly I have to ask what you're doing awake at 3:45am?! It's 19:50 here!

It's very nice but it would be better if the sun shone a little more and it drizzled a little less! The countryside is gorgeous and the surrounding area is fantastic Vancouver and Vancouver Island are about 2 and a 1/2 hours drive from here) but I miss England and my friends! Have only made it to about 8 States so far but plan to see a lot more in my time here!

 

[Nicola]

Hi Ali,

Just couldn't sleep. Woke at 2.30am needing a pee and my step-son was in the bathroom - 12 minutes he was in there!! At 2.30 in the morning! I daren't ask why! Anyway after that I went back to bed and DH started talking to me and decided he'd go to the loo also - came back and promptly started with the snoring!! Decided I'd be laying there for ages trying to drop off again so came down to natter online!! I'm usually asleep by 10/11pm and not awake again till 8am but lately I seem to have real issues with sleeping and staying asleep!!

How long are you in the states for? Enjoy your travels, it's a lovely place and if you are into crafts stock up their stores (Michaels, Jo-Anne's etc) are wonderful for crafting materials.....I miss them very much indeed!!!!

Feel free to PM and chatter anytime,

Nicola xx

 

[topbird]

Hi
I am not doing antenatal yoga but have been going to yoga classes for about 8 years on and off and will continue to go to my regular class through out my pregnancy. My teacher has had 3 children and taught throughout all three pregnancies so she knows how to adapt exercises to suit me....

I will also go to antenatal swimming classes, but probably later on. Must work on my arm and upper body strength too as I am a complete wimp!

my family live in Kamloops - about 2 hours from Vancouver in BC, Canada and I have been over there - Vancouver is a lovely place.

 

[Nicola]

Hi,

Arm & upper body strength fail me also......any tips on improving? I know yoga is more posture and breathing so would be great to hear any ideas on upper body strength without using the gym!

I've never done yoga before, the 15th will be my first taste of it. I really do hope I enjoy it I see so many benefits in those who do participate in classes. I've joined a special ante-natal yoga and hope to continue on into post-natal yoga for a while before going to a normal class in 12-18 months or so. I hate sports so to speak to perhaps this might be the key to me keeping fit!!

Nicola xx

 

[ScottR]

Hi Nicola

Well I only DO post-natal Yoga by way of teaching it, but if you have any specific queries then let me know, I'll try to answer them.

There should be posture work in your prenatal class too, and hopefully that will help you build up enough strength to help with your pregnancy. The main aim is getting your body elastic to open out for the pregnancy and then pull back in again after birth. Breathing exercises should arm you with tools to help during the birth itself and the relaxation/visualisation practices are excellent for dealing with fears and worries, helping you focus on enjoying the amazing transformational experience of pregnancy and childbirth.

I'd love to hear your own experiences of the classes, so please do tell us how they went!

Take care,

Scott

 

[Nicola]

Hi,

Thanks for that, will update you once classes start. From what I've been told it's in 4 parts, breathing and posture was 1 & 2 and I can't remember what she said 3 & 4 were. It's a 2 hour session, first one is on the 15th.

Pointless piece of information but you live in the same town as my brother and soon-to-be sister-in-law!!

Nicola xx

 

[ScottR]

So, how did it go? I'm dying to hear how you got on, what you all did, and how you felt the experience affected you?

Cheers,

Scott

 

[SarahJJ]

Hi Nicola
Check out my other thread about yoga. I am starting a class next Thurs, ante natal yoga, can't wait I have heard it is excellent. I'll let you know how it goes hope you enjoyed yours.
Sarahx

 

[trixipaws]

i like this idea, i used to do kickboxing until 18 months ago and was very fit and weighed 45 kg, now ive gained 15 and feel like a fat-ass!

does anyone hav a link to find classes in my area?

 

[ScottR]

As per my other post, the last time I tried to post a link on here the post was blocked, the mod stating it's not allowed. I'll happily post the link (to which I have no connection) if I get someone's permission. DOn;t want to risk the wrath of a second incursion...



Cheers,

Scott