Pregnancy class
Pregnancy & Yoga
Yoga is an ideal form of exercise during pregnancy and
it can help you relax and enjoy your pregnancy.
The Iyengar method is unique in that it uses a variety of yoga props
to assist students so that mother and baby obtain the maximum benefit
from postures without any strain.
You will find that both the physical postures (asanas) and the breathing
exercises (pranayama) are ideal mind-body preparations for the birth.
Asanas exercise the spinal column, lessening lower back pain and strengthen
the pelvic floor. The cavity in the pelvic region is expanded, creating
space inside the uterus, ensuring there is both proper blood circulation
and adequate room for the baby to move. The asanas also relieve tiredness
and tension and revitalise the internal organs.
Pranayama opens the chest and helps to improve circulation in both mother
and baby, ensuring a proper supply of oxygen to the blood. It also helps
to calm the nerves and enables the mother to be in greater control of
her breathing during labour.
Post-natal practice stimulates the pituitary gland, promoting a healthy
supply of breast milk. Asanas will help abdominal and pelvic muscles return
to their former shape and condition. They will also strengthen the entire
body, and specifically the nervous system.
Pregnancy Class
The cost of the 6 week course is £60.00 (members only). Westminster Rescard
holders get £3 off.
Membership: £50 per year; £18 for three months
The pregnancy yoga course is open to women who have at
least 3 months experience of Iyengar yoga. If you are new to Iyengar
yoga, please contact reception (020 7624 3080). If you have a history
of miscarriage, you should not start yoga until you are 14 weeks pregnant.
Tuesday, 12.15pm - 1.45pm with Johanna Heckmann-Mohan
This class is run on a course basis and you will need to book in advance.
Previous Iyengar Yoga practice is required (contact reception if you
are new to Iyengar yoga).
Dates for the current course are: Cancelled until further notice
Cost: £60 (members only)
Friday, 6.15pm - 7.45pm with Johanna Heckmann-Mohan
This class is run on a course basis and you will need to book in advance.
Previous Iyengar Yoga practice is required (contact reception if you
are new to Iyengar yoga).
Dates for the current course are: 20 June - 25 July
Cost: £60 (members only)
Next start dates: 1 August - 5 September
Booking opens: 18 July
Cost: £60 (members only)
Sunday, 2.15pm - 3.45pm drop in class with Barbara Norvell
A drop in class open to both members (£12) and non-members (£15).
Safety Guidelines
Pregnancy is a natural state in a woman’s life. It does however
bring a great change throughout the body which should be respected.
During pregnancy ligaments around the joints become loose and soft. Care
should therefore be taken not to overstretch the body. The abdomen should
remain relaxed and soft at all times to allow room for the baby.
Pregnancy can make you feel more tired than usual. It is essential to
be aware of this and try not to do things to the point of fatigue. If
you feel tired after yoga or any other physical exercise, it means that
the practice has been faulty or that you have done too much. Signals such
as pains, stitches, cramps, nausea, dizziness, headaches and contractions
should never be felt during or after yoga practice. Yoga generates energy,
rather than dissipates it.
Important notice:
If you have practised yoga for one year or longer, it
may be possible to attend a regular class, provided you make a prior arrangement
with the teacher. Please ask the office for a list of teachers who can
accept pregnant students in their classes. You should
not start Pregnancy classes in the late stages of pregnancy (after 20 weeks).
It is very important to be aware of
the fact that between 10 and 14 weeks the risk of miscarriage is at its
greatest, and therefore you should not practise yoga at all during this
time if you are a new student, and practise only restorative poses if
you have done yoga for one year or more.
Once you have had your baby, you can restart your post-natal practice
at about six weeks after a normal delivery, but should wait about three
months before coming to a regular class.
Suggested further reading:
Yoga: A Gem for Women by Geeta S Iyengar published by Allied Publishers
Limited (available at the Institute £17.99)
Inner Beauty, Inner Light. Yoga for Pregnant Women by Frederick Leboyer
published by Newmarket Press (available at the Institute £10.99 wghile stock lasts)
About the teacher
Johanna Heckmann-Mohan:
is a senior teacher with 23 years of teaching experience. She teaches at all levels including pregnancy and yoga therapy. Johanna has a special interest in yoga for pregnancy and has helped hundreds of women through this very special moment in their life.
Barbara Norvell:
has practised Iyengar Yoga for over twenty years and through the pregnancies of her own children. She has been teaching since 1998 and continues to develop her practise and understanding with senior teachers and by visiting Pune on a regular basis.
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Childrens' class
With Korinna Pilafidis-Williams
Classes are held once a week on Mondays from 5.00pm
to 5.55pm.
Current term dates: 21 April to 7 July (no class on 5 and 26 May).
The course costs £60.00 (£5 off for parents with ResCard).
Next term dates: 15 September to 8 December (no class on 27 October).
The course costs £60.00 (£5 off for parents with ResCard).
For children aged 7 and over. Those over 14 are welcome to
join the adult classes.
Courses must be paid in advance. You can call us on 020-7624
3080 to book with a credit card or you can send us a cheque. Cheques should
be made payable to "IYIMV" and sent to:
Iyengar Yoga Institute,
223A Randolph Avenue,
London W9 1NL.
If you wish to receive an acknowledgement of your payment, please indicate
this. Please include the name and age of your child, your name and a contact
daytime phone number.
If your child has any health problems, please contact the office. Sorry,
we can only take bookings for a whole course and not for individual classes.
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Pranayama
Pranayama is the art of Yogic breathing. It consists of
the regulation and refinement of inhalation, exhalation and retention
of the breath. Pranayama classes are suitable for students who have
at least three years experience of asana classes (i.e. one year at General
level or more).
Pranayama class with Alaric Newcombe
Thursdays 8.30pm ~ 9.30pm
A weekly class while Silvia Prescott is taking a temporary break from teaching.
Cost per class: £7.00 (members), £9.00 (non-members)
Please note no concessions available for this class.
Pranayama classes with Silvia Prescott
Thursdays 8.15pm ~ 9.45pm.
5 Weeks: Dates in Autumn to be announced.
Cost per class: £10.00 (members), £12.00 (non-members)
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Remedial Course
There are currently two remedial classes at the Institute:
Monday: 2.00-3.30pm
Tuesday: 12.30-2.00pm
Students are welcome to attend by appointment only.
Yoga practice is tailored to each individual's specific needs after a
full assessment of the student. Please do not turn up without an appointment. Both
classes are run as a 6 week course and the cost is £66.00 (members)
or £78.00 (non-members).
We are presently taking students with: knee, back, neck and shoulder
problems, sciatica and ME (myalgic encephalomyelitis). Please note that we only take students with previous Iyengar yoga experience.
In order to book for the course, you will need to complete a medical
form which is available from the office or by
clicking here. You can call us on 020-7624 3080 or e-mail
us to have the form posted to you.
Important Medical Information
Regular classes are not suitable for those with certain
medical conditions. Please inform the Institute and your teacher BEFORE
starting classes if you have any of the following conditions:
-
High Blood Pressure
-
Heart disease or any heart problem
-
Epilepsy including Petit Mal
-
Cancer or benign tumours
-
Diabetes
-
Meniere's disease
-
Detached retina
-
AIDS
-
MS (multiple sclerosis)
-
ME (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis)
-
If you have recently had an operation
- If you are pregnant or are undergoing IVF treatment
Having any of these conditions does not mean that you cannot practise
yoga or that it will not be able to help you. We have a special remedial
class where experienced teachers give individual tuition to students to
help certain conditions.
If you are in any doubt or have any concerns about your ability to do
yoga, please contact the Institute.
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