PREGNANCY YOGA

Tuesday: 8.00 – 9.00 p.m or at a time to suit you

Share a private class for one to one attention

Alyth: NW11 7EN ,Home Studio: NW11 ORL, or at your home

 

Booking Form  (now – 19 December)

Health Form

Locations

 

Please print off and complete both Booking Form and Health Form when you first join.

 

Welcome and congratulations

Hooray, you're having a baby! Antenatal yoga offers a series of practices specifically created to build and maintain fitness throughout your pregnancy. As well as developing stamina, flexibility and strength, antenatal yoga is a powerful tool for boosting energy and enhancing your vitality and well-being. It also offers the opportunity to de-stress and to meet other pregnant mums, in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere.

 

When can I start?

You can join Tuesday nights any point in your pregnancy from 12 weeks onwards and practice right up to delivery.

Class payment is for just the classes you can do, booked in advance to the end of the current block, or up to your due date if sooner.

 

Or book your own shared sessions separately if you have a group of friends (or for a one to one private), at times and dates to suit you. You can decide if you wish to book a block after your first class.

 

Cost

For this semi-private class there is a sliding scale for payment based on number of students attending.

Terms: Students chose and pay for the classes they can do, in advance,  within the block.

Contact Maxine to find out how many are signed up and therefore which rate is applicable when you join. If numbers fall and the cost rises and you just top up the difference on the day. Likewise If  numbers rise and you've paid more, you will be refunded the difference.

Sliding scale:

£30 per class  per person for a class of 2 people

£20 per class per person for a class of 3 people

£15 per class per person, for a class of 4 - 9 people.

Contact me to find out how many people are signed up to the block and therefore what the current payment rate is.

Missed Classes: If you can't make one of the classes you originally booked for, don't worry, you don't miss it, you can attend another regular class any time before the birth. Read more

 

For Pregnancy Yoga Testimonials: scroll down this page.

 

About Pregnancy Yoga

Pregnancy yoga offers a very nurturing and enjoyable practice, with focus on breath, movement, postures, and relaxation to adapt to the specific needs of the pregnant woman. It works with the physical and emotional changes the body experiences throughout the different stages of pregnancy, helping to prepare for the birthing process and beyond. It works like all yoga to develop strength and stamina, and to enhance vitality and well being.

 

Pregnancy Classes

•  Classes are suitable anytime from 3 months, right up to delivery

•  No previous experience of yoga necessary

•  Classes are open to all pregnant women. There is always a lovely mix of local women

•  An enjoyable class, where numbers are limited, so I can assist everyone personally in the group

•  Usually between 3 and 7 women in the class, varying according to who is leaving to have their baby

•  Learn a range of effective exercises, movements and simple breathing techniques

•  Strengthen, tone, stretch and re-align your body

•  Increase strength, balance and co-ordination, reduce aches and pains that may arise as your body changes

•  Learn practical relaxation and mindfulness techniques to support you right up to your due date, through the birth and beyond

•  The class provides an opportunity to meet other pregnant women in a warm and friendly atmosphere. There is always a useful exchange of information and discussion.

• Coming weekly is hugely beneficial to your pregnancy. Each week we cover different practices to support your whole preparation for birth.

Don’t worry if you miss a class, see below.

 

Booking and payment

Please complete a booking/registration form, and a health forms above and include these with your payment.

 

Students can join this class at any point and sign up until their due date or to the end of the current term – whichever is sooner.

 

Term dates are only for administration purposes, i.e there is no beginning, middle or end to a course of teaching. Sessions are structured such that we visit and re-visit the themes regularly, permitting students to join at any point and to leave just before their due date.   This is not a drop in class.

 

Missed classes

No problem if you cannot make a class. Make up any  missed classes for free by attending  general, mellow or gentle yoga classes, valid anytime up to your delivery.  Poses are modified to suit pregnancy needs.  See timetable.

Not transferable to the next block of shared pregnancy classes, or to postnatal classes.

12 hours notice required to cance so I can let others in the group know in advance how many will be attending, and therefore the cost.  Sorry, no refunds.

 

Free parking

Available in nearby streets. To find us see Locations.

 

Payment Bank Details

Payment via direct transfer on line, cheque or cash.

Bank details:

Maxine Levy: Acc no: 30605204. Sort code 20–36–16

 

 

Mini lectures series

As part of the classes I offer a 'mini lecture', when I invite an experienced health professional to speak informally for 10 minutes on their specialist area, at the end of the class. Expert guest speakers share their knowledge and practical know-how in an informative and relaxed atmosphere and offer you the opportunity to ask them questions that might be helpful to you.  You will be notified in advance if mini lectures are running.

 

Topics covered include:

Pregnancy massage; reflexology; Alexander Technique; acupuncture; osteopahty; hypnobirthing; the role of a doula, midwife, night nurse and counsellor; what to expect from your NHS or independent midwife; top ten tips for breast feeding and how to use a Tens machine.

 

What to bring

It's ideal if you can bring a yoga mat and a fleece or small blanket for relaxation at the end of class (when your body temperature will drop a little while resting).

Don't worry if you have not got a mat, you can borrow one, initially.

I also have high quality mats available to buy at cost price (£18 from Yogamatters.com).

Come wearing loose comfortable clothes.

Eat lightly well beforehand –  it is best not to practice yoga on a full stomach.

 

Private one-to-one Pregnancy Yoga Classes

One-to-one or shared private sessions are also available. These are ideal if you would like the chance to have a class targeted around more specific needs – or in the comfort of your own home. Also, sharing a yoga sessions with a birth partner or friend is also very popular. As in the group classes, all the exercises are adapted to help new mums-to-be through each stage of pregnancy and to prepare you for the birth. You can take what you learn into t he group class practice should you attend both.

 

Postnatal support

Once your bundle of joy has arrived, receive one to one postnatal support from a few days after birth in your home. There are many very simple gentle and subtle healing techniques to re- align and release tensions in the postpartum body both safely and effectively, to speed the natural recovery process. Maxine has trained in this area. Contact her

 

Postnatal Yoga classes with your Baby

These run on Tuesdays 11.15 – 12:15 (1–7 months postpartum) and Thursdays 12.30 – 13.30 with Baby Crawler (7–10 months) in the comfort of my home studio in Temple Fortune, NW11 0RL. An opportunity to get fit, relax and meet new mums, with your baby. Join at any point, space permitting.  Details

 

Monthly Weekend Morning Workshops

On-to-one or small groups, in the comfort of my home studio in NW11 0RL, or at your home. These workshops build on all the practices we do in class but with the added benefit of having time to go deeper into the poses and sequences. Excellent for pregnancy, up to 7 months. I modify the practices to suit those attending, new to yoga, experienced or otherwise. Details.

 

 

Testimonials:

"Your yoga made such a difference to the entire journey, everything from the induction to the labour. It gave you tools to deal with it, 'it took over’. I've done yoga therefore mentally I am more geared up."

Emily B

 

"The breathing really helped me through labour"

Shilpa  S

 

 

"Fantastic for my ever-changing shape and physical needs… It was especially amazing to be around other pregnant women and to share our experiences. It left me feeling very mellow for the entire day!"

Leesa M

 

 

"I have thoroughly enjoyed the last 4 weeks and have felt the benefit not only with my back but a general sense of well being."

Bianca S

 

 

"I noticed a real difference in my fitness and energy levels. The positions and breathing complimented what we learnt in our NCT (National Childbirth Trust) classes and gave me confidence about the task ahead and also about how my body would work. It was very reassuring spending time with other pregnant ladies at all different stages, different shapes and sizes and with differing needs and experiences."

Alexandra T

 

 

"I thoroughly enjoyed the classes, especially the relaxation at the end of a good stretch."

Amy S

 

 

"The balance between breathing and relaxation and postures was just right and it was good to concentrate on the pelvic floor each week.  The birth went well as well. I'm keeping up my pelvic floor exercises! I really enjoyed the yoga classes."

Emma C

 

 

" I didn't feel that any of the postures were too strenuous, even in my last few weeks. The venue was great. I enjoyed having the time to relax and stretch and prepare my body for the birth. I think it really worked."

Diane R

 

 

"Maxine's classes came highly recommended. I learnt a lot about how to prepare my body and mind for birth. I found it really empowering to be proactive and do what I could to better understand my body and help it get ready for the big event. Thank you for everything Maxine."

Abigail  J

 

 

" A great opportunity for time out to focus on my pregnancy and fitness. I appreciate the skills I accumulated over the time and have no doubt they will be useful both in labour and beyond."

Madeleine W

 

"Just a quick update… had a beautiful baby boy. Just tell other girls in class, the only thing to focus on is breathing.  I remembered your class while having contractions on the exercise ball! The breathing was my saviour. I only needed little gas and and stayed really relaxed. Thank you."

Katie J

 

"It definitely made a difference having a weekly time set aside to dedicate to my own fitness and the pregnancy experience (funny how as a second time mom there seems to be less time to focus on that)."

Zivit E

 

 

"I really feel like the breathing has become a useful tool."

Ora G

 

 

 " I've really enjoyed your teaching.  I think it's great that you get us all to informally share how we've been getting on in the past week so we can pick up ideas from each other. Your classes have a good mix of stretching and relaxation so its benefited me greatly"

Bini S

 

 

"I really enjoyed your classes,  meeting other mums to be and sharing and learning from each others experiences. Also I really liked your friendly and approachable style.

I will be in touch when I'm down to have baby number 2 in the later future."

Rachel  E

 

 

'Thank goodness the birth all went well. All I used was my breathing and some gas and air! This was partly due to the fact that by the time I arrived at the hospital I was actually fully dilated! The midwife and my doula both commented on how impressed they were with my breathing though! So I really owe you a thank you!"

Tamar T

 

 

" The time just flies past and as if a wand has been waved I feel re-energised and relaxed . Thank you Maxine I was a bit sceptical at first but have been proven wrong, I wish I had done yoga with my previous 2 pregnancies."

Melinda S

 

 

"I especially enjoyed having the discussion beforehand with you and the other preggie mums."

Melinda F

 

 

"It calmed me down re my worries about labour/birth and I’m feeling more relaxed."

Rachel  B

 

 

"A great way to find a few hours of relaxation per week during a time which was extremely stressful for me both in my professional and personal life."

Diana S

 

 

"The mini-lectures Maxine organises gave me the opportunity to hear about certain pregnancy-related topics that were completely new to me."

Janine  H

 

 

"One of the highlights of my week. Not only is it extremely invigorating and relaxing, but it has really helped relieve the aches and pains of late pregnancy."

Sharon B

 

 

"Maxine’s classes are a nice small size, this means that she spends time each week tuning into to each person and tailors the class so that each of us works on exactly what we need to according to our stage of pregnancy."

Miriam G

 

 

"Maxine is very intuitive and we always feel well supported both during and after the classes as she often follows up to see how we're doing in between."

Rita L

 

 

"I really enjoyed the class last night and I think it was hugely beneficial that I had the private session with you too… It was also really great to be with other pregnant women and do some exercise."

Nadia S

 

 

"Because of the yoga and breathing I was able to labour at home till 6 centimetres dilated. I then had a luckily straight forward labour (8 hours with epidural and only 15 minutes of pushing). Overall, really happy with my experience and I am now recovered and we're all doing well!"

Andrea B

 

"Happy baby girl finally arrived. All your tips on breathing and positions etc. helped me stay calm throughout the crazy day xxx thank you so much!"

Regan H