Topics covered

• Movement: Pregnancy safe yoga and functional movement to stretch and strengthen the prenatal & postnatal body and help alleviate common ailments of all the trimesters.
• Pranayama & Relaxation: Pregnancy appropriate relaxation, pranayama (breath practices), visualisations, meditation & Hypnobirthing (delivered by a Hypnobirthing yoga teacher***) for the expectant mother. Understand how simple breath work and deep, guided relaxation can help rejuvenate & support an expectant or new mother mentally, physically & emotionally.
• Posture: Learn how pregnancy might negatively affect postural alignment and how with the correct programming of yoga and tailored, functional movement, this could be counteracted or avoided.
• Sequencing & Class Preparation: Sequencing a yoga session for an expectant or postnatal mother across all trimesters, in an inclusive, non-judgemental, compassionate and empowering way.
• Props: Understand how to effectively use yoga props to help the expectant mother feel more supported.

Birth and Birth Preparation Module

• Learn about yoga asana for optimal foetal positioning and how the position of baby may affect labour and the birthing process for the expectant mother.
• Working with an exercise ball and chair for the later stages of pregnancy to prepare for, and aid the birthing process.
• The importance of the Nervous System: the role the Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Nervous Systems not only during birth, but as a whole.
• Birth and labour – discussion of different types of birth: a physiological birth vs a medical intervention birth.
• Supportive meditation, visualisation and positive affirmations for the birthing mother that can be used regardless of birth plan, no matter how birth unfolds.
• A factual, science-backed lecture by a Midwife* about stages of pregnancy from conception, foetal development, the physical, mental, hormonal and emotional changes for the expectant mother, labour and the birthing process, and the postnatal period for the new mother.

Postnatal Yoga and Parent & Baby Yoga Module

• Accessible yoga & Pilates related, functional movement for the postnatal period (4th trimester) to stretch, strengthen and comfort the physical body to help alleviate common ailments of the postnatal phase. This includes any postural malalignment and changes such as upper and lower crossed syndrome, kyphosis, general body heaviness, fatigue/low energy, weakened glutes, tight hip flexors, weak pelvic floor. These will be practiced as a group.
• Gentle, Postnatal Recovery Yoga & Relaxation session for the mother who has experienced a medicalised birth, birth trauma or other side-effects of pregnancy and/or the birthing process.
• Parent & Baby Yoga – A complete class for both baby and parent (or carer) delivered by a Parent & Baby Yoga Teacher** and discussion on how to plan & facilitate an inclusive class safely, effectively & informatively, in a supportive and uplifting environment.

After completing this course, you will have the skills to:

• Be able to teach a Pregnancy Yoga class/private session, a Postnatal Yoga class/private session and a Parent & Baby Yoga class/private session.
• Teach a well-rounded functional movement class that honours a woman’s mind, emotions and physical & subtle body at this special & sacred time.
• Integrate props effectively into classes to allow accessibility for all participants.
• Adapt classes for those with specific injuries (pregnancy/birthing or otherwise) & common ailments, such as lower back pain, pelvic girdle pain, low/high blood pressure, fatigue, tight shoulders, stiff neck and any other physical changes.
• Have a clear understanding of why it is important to incorporate all elements of yoga into a class; the subtle body, the spiritual aspects, philosophy, energetics and the physical practice.
• Have a clear picture of what actually happens to the body during pregnancy and birth: hormonal, emotional, physical & mental changes.
• Take a compassionate, non-judgemental approach to individual clients, create rapport & offer genuine support to people on their journeys.

Assignments:

As part of this 85hr course & in order to gain your certificate to register as a Pregnancy Yoga Teacher, you will be asked to undertake some private study and reading in your own time. There are some assignments to complete, including class observations, a study of the trimesters, a teaching practice and case studies. You will also be expected to read the course training manual fully.

Accredited by Yoga Alliance (US), Yoga Alliance Professionals (UK) and FEDANT (Federation of Antenatal Educators):

This training is 85 hours (including private study time) to meet with the standards of Yoga Alliance Professionals (UK), Yoga Alliance (US) and FEDANT (Federation of Antenatal Educators).

The course is open to ALL. We welcome students from all backgrounds; whether you are a midwife, doula, yoga teacher or work in sports training, all you need is a keen interest in antenatal education and a passion for sharing your knowledge, along with a foundational understanding of yoga.

Following your successful completion of this training, and if you already have a 200hr Yoga Teacher Training certification, you will be permitted to register with Yoga Alliance Professionals (UK) or Yoga Alliance USA as a Registered Pregnancy Yoga Teacher. If you do not hold a 200hr Yoga Teacher Training certification, you may register your 85 hours of training with Yoga Alliance Professionals or FEDANT or gain independent insurance. 

All sessions will be recorded and the training videos will be available for you to download after the training to keep and revisit.

Please note: It is essential for students to attend, complete & engage with all scheduled hours and complete the homework before certification will be issued.

Reading List:

To purchase prior to the training:

• Bountiful, Beautiful, Blissful by Gurmukh
• The Female Pelvis by Blandine Calais-Germain – Sally is also using this book more and more on the course, so you may like to purchase this at some point.
• The Student’s Manual of Yoga Anatomy by Sally Parkes. You can get this directly from Sally for £15, if you’d like a copy. Order your copy HERE
• The Course Training Manual (PDF copy included in your training fee, you have the option to purchase a hard copy)

For this Training you will need:

• A yoga mat
• 2 x yoga bricks
• 1 x yoga belt
• A yoga bolster (or 4 throw cushions in a pillow case).
• One large birthing / fitness ball, at a height so that when you are sitting on it, your hips are a little higher than your knees
• A Soft Teddy / Baby Doll (for Parent & Baby module only)
• Notebook, pen, highlighter
• Your training manual

NB:

*when a midwife is available for the lecture, within the UK. Otherwise Sally will cover these topics.

**when the teacher is available for the class/lecture, within the UK. Otherwise Sally will cover these topics.

***when the teacher is available for these classes/lecture, within the UK. This may be sent to you via pre-recorded material. Otherwise Sally will cover these topics.