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).
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 drop-in class with Johanna Heckmann-Mohan
This class is run as a drop-in class also open to those who have just given birth. Previous Iyengar Yoga practice is required (contact reception if you
are new to Iyengar yoga).
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).
Current dates: 19 February to 26 March
Next start date: 9 April to 21 May (no class on 23 April.)
Booking opens 26 March
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)
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:
is a mother of three children and having recognised the enormous benefits of yoga during her own pregnancies is committed to helping young mothers to be enjoy yoga during theirs. She has been practising yoga for 30 years and qualified as an Iyengar Yoga teacher in 1998 obtaining her Junior Intermediate 3 teaching certificate in 2006.
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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: 22 February to 22 March 2010
The course costs: £30.00
Following term: 26 April to 28 June (no class on 3 and 31 May)
Children's Free Taster Class
Sunday 18 April, 12.00pm - 12.45pm. Booking essential.
For children aged 7 and over.
Courses must be paid in advance. You can call us on 020-7624
3080 to book with a credit card.
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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Remedial Course
There are currently two remedial classes at the Institute:
Monday: 2.00-3.30pm
Tuesday: 1.00-2.30pm
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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