Yoga for Pregnancy Workshop

with Sally Parkes, BSc, author of ‘The Students Manual of Yoga Anatomy’

Who is the workshop for?

This one day workshop is for anyone in the health and fitness industry wanting to expand their knowledge of how to work with the pregnant client. We welcome male and female yoga teachers, Pilates teachers, personal trainers, midwives and doulas. Ladies who would like to know more about this subject for their own learning are of course also welcome to join us.

What will I gain from this workshop?

You will gain knowledge about the physiological changes and postural changes, the pelvic floor and on what is safe and unsafe to teach your pregnancy clients. You will learn that when the application of movement and breath is done correctly, just how empowering yoga can be for the mom-to-be.

Will I receive a certificate?

All attendees will receive a certificate of attendance and 200 hour certified teachers who are members of The Yoga Alliance will be able to add this to their ongoing training credentials.

Schedule

8.30am-10am: Introduction to Yoga for Pregnancy – Practical Session

This workshop will begin with introductions followed by an 80min Yoga for Pregnancy class which will be flowing and subtly energising. We will work through pregnancy appropriate Sun Salutations, all linked with the breath and with emphasis on our connection to the earth element, Kapha. A warrior sequence will follow which focuses on strengthening the body and mind in preparation for the last few weeks of pregnancy and for birth. We will then move in to small subtle movements of the lower back and pelvis that mobilises the sacroiliac area of the spine and the muscles that surround the pelvis before shifting our awareness to the pelvic floor and breath work. Deep relaxation in the form of Yoga Nidra will conclude the session.

10.10-11.15am Sequencing a Yoga for Pregnancy class – Theory Session

Now we will look at what to include and more importantly what not to include in a Yoga for Pregnancy class. We will discuss aims of the class, including how we manage the delicate energetics of pregnancy, as well as teaching safely, and how we can link asana and breath to achieve this. Certain asana are not recommended in pregnancy, such as strong inversions, and it will be explained why we do not do these and what alternatives we can offer which are appropriate and more effective for the mother.

11.30-12.30pm Anatomy of the Pelvic Floor, Hormonal Changes and the Abdominal Area in Pregnancy – Theory Session

There are many changes during pregnancy, and in order to teach effectively we need to know the mechanics of the pelvic diaphragm, the anatomy of the pelvis and sacroiliac joint, and how all of these are affected in pregnancy. Hormonal changes also affect the joints and the circumference of the pelvis and again these need to be considered when teaching Yoga for Pregnancy. These shall all be discussed with a practical session to follow to put this theory ‘in action’.

12.30-1.30pm Lunch Break

1.30-3pm: Yoga Asana and Breath for Pelvic Floor and Sacroiliac Joint Health; Short Sequences – Theory and Practical Session

Many women have discomfort and sometimes pain in the sacroiliac joint due to changes in the lumbar spine, which can be exacerbated by a weak pelvic floor. This can be managed through analysing the postural changes during pregnancy, and by applying the appropriate yoga asana and breath work to the yoga practice. During this session we will work through several sequences that contract and release the pelvic muscles and free up the sacroiliac area to decrease tension in the lower back, and also look at how to work the surrounding muscles that can offer stabilisation such as the Glutes and Psoas muscle groups. These will be short sequences that can be implemented in any yoga class.

3.15-5pm Subtle Energetics of Yoga for Pregnancy; Honouring our Shakti Energy – Practical Session

A two hour practical session that will weave mudra, breath, mantra and kriya in to gentle flowing asana sequence, the aim of which will be to honour the Shakti energy that resides in all of us, connect us with our Root Chakra for optimum grounding, and connect us with universal energy and the mother with her baby. We shall conclude with deep relaxation before closing the class with the practice of mudra and affirmations.

About your teacher, Sally Parkes, BSc, EYT, SYT.

Sally has been teaching health and fitness since 1998 and has studied and taught pregnancy and post-natal yoga extensively for the past ten years. Her style of yoga is from the lineage taught by guru Uma Dinsmore-Tuli, a leader in the field of women’s well-being, whilst also weaving an element of Exercise Physiology, Pilates and movement methods gained from her studies in exercise rehabilitation in to her teaching.

Also a Doula and mother, Sally has penned many articles for major publications and is the author of The Students Guide to Yoga Anatomy. Now a certified Experienced and Senior Yoga Teacher and teacher trainer, Sally is known for her humour, warmth and all inclusive presentations, and now specialises in delivering solid and thorough pregnancy and post-natal yoga teacher training’s in the UK and internationally.