Empowered living:
Yoga, Reiki & Mindfulness for Pregnancy & Beyond
Womb Yoga is more than just pregnancy yoga. It's a transformative practice designed to empower women at every stage of life, honoring the cyclical nature of the feminine body. Whether you're preparing for pregnancy, recovering from childbirth, navigating motherhood, or experiencing menopause, we'll move together as a supportive community, guiding you through each stage and beyond, offering gentle support. Here, you'll find a practice that embraces:
Safe and Effective Yoga Postures:
Asanas, with modifications available, to ensure a safe and effective practice that promotes flexibility, strengthens your core, and alleviates common discomforts throughout your journey.
Reiki for Relaxation:
Experience the calming touch of Reiki, an ancient energy healing technique, to promote deep relaxation and emotional well-being on and off the yoga mat. This is an optional add-on that I'm happy to provide you whilst you rest in savasana or another deeply nourishing yoga pose.
Mindful Birthing Techniques (For Expectant Mothers):
Cultivate inner calm, connect with your breath, and approach birth (or re-birth as a mother) with confidence and awareness, whether you're a first-time mom or welcoming another miracle. These skills also translate beautifully into managing stress, promoting relaxation, and fostering inner peace throughout your life's journey.
Pranayama (Breathwork):
Discover powerful breathing exercises to energize, ground, and connect with your inner wisdom. These practices are particularly beneficial for pregnancy (promoting emotional balance) and postpartum (supporting recovery), but their benefits extend far beyond. Breathwork techniques will empower you to manage stress, enhance focus, and cultivate inner peace throughout your life's journey.​
Meditation:
Cultivate inner peace and quietude through guided meditations designed to support you at every stage of your journey. During your menstrual cycle, meditation can help manage stress and emotional fluctuations. In pregnancy, meditation can foster a deep connection with your growing baby and promote emotional balance. As a mother, meditation offers moments of serenity amidst the joys and adjustments of parenthood. During menopause, meditation can be a powerful tool for managing stress and emotional transitions. These practices will also empower you to develop inner wisdom and navigate life's challenges with greater ease.
Nurturing Mamas:
As a mum myself, I understand the unique challenges and joys of motherhood. That's why my Womb Yoga class is designed to be a warm and supportive space where you can nurture yourself while surrounded by understanding women. Little ones are welcome to join us! Research shows that witnessing self-care rituals can have a positive impact on children, teaching them the importance of prioritizing their own well-being. If you're interested in bringing your baby or child to class, please get in touch with me to discuss and ensure a smooth experience for both of you.
Womb Yoga embraces the cyclical nature of the feminine body, offering support throughout pregnancy, postpartum, and beyond. As a women's wellness educator with nearly two decades of experience (including doula work and pregnancy yoga), and a mother myself, I understand the unique needs of women throughout their lives.
This program is a culmination of that experience, offering a safe and supportive space to nourish your body, quiet your mind, and embrace motherhood with grace and joy, at every stage. It incorporates elements from the Prenatal, Postnatal, and Mum & Baby Yoga classes described below. If you'd like to learn even more about Womb Yoga and its benefits, consider reading THIS BLOG POST.
Let's create a supportive community where women, at every stage, can connect, learn, and empower themselves for a joyful and empowered life.
WOMB YOGA
The Feminine Unfolding: Reclaiming One's Power, One's Body, and One's Personal Space
Womb Yoga includes deeply nourishing practices that are well suited to all stages of a woman's life. Women recovering from miscarriage, those seeking to conceive, and those experiencing menstrual difficulties often find these practices supportive and healing. Perimenopausal women appreciate the nourishing and rhythmic aspects of Womb Yoga, while post-menopausal women delight in the spacious and sensual experiences it provides. For example, Womb Yoga can help regulate menstrual cycles and support hormonal balance, potentially improving fertility and menopausal symptoms. Additionally, Womb Yoga creates a space for deep relaxation and self-care, fostering a positive mindset for conception and transition. I invite you to continue your exploration of the elements included in my Womb Yoga classes, or skip ahead now, view my schedule and book your place in our next session.
PRENATAL YOGA
Nourish Your Body and Bond with Your Baby
Motherhood is a transformative journey, a wellspring of joy intertwined with moments of change and adaptation. As your body prepares for birth and your spirit blossoms with the miracle of new life, you deserve a practice that supports you holistically throughout every stage. Womb Yoga offers a space to connect with others, your baby, and your inner warrior. In my classes, you'll explore nourishing and empowering asanas that strengthen your birthing muscles for a more confident and comfortable delivery, reduce common pregnancy discomforts like backaches and fatigue, and ignite your intuition and connect deeply with your growing baby. Additionally, each class incorporates mindful breathing techniques (pranayama) and mindfulness practices, historically used to manage labor pains and promote relaxation. This holistic approach fosters a sense of trust and confidence in your body's ability to birth. Join us and empower your pregnancy journey within the supportive embrace of the Womb Yoga community.
POSTNATAL YOGA
Nurture Your Well-being and Rejuvenate in Postnatal Yoga
Within the nurturing embrace of Womb Yoga, Postnatal Yoga offers a dedicated space for you to unwind and prioritize your well-being after childbirth. In my classes, I combine nourishing and strengthening postnatal asanas with mindful breathwork, leading to quicker physical recovery and a stronger sense of self. Physically, the class focuses on healing and strengthening deep core muscles, relieving back pain, and supporting the pelvic floor. Mentally, the lessons incorporate mindful breathing practices to enhance relaxation and promote inner peace. This practice also focuses on both physical healing and emotional processing, boosting intuition and processing emotions, memories, and experiences that arise with parenthood; equipping you to navigate the unique challenges and joys of new parenthood. Find the support you need to heal physically, connect emotionally, and find renewed strength within the nourishing embrace of our Womb Yoga class.
MUM & BABY YOGA
Nurture Your Well-being and Rejuvenate in Postnatal Yoga
Extend the journey of your Womb Yoga practice into motherhood. Mum & Baby Yoga is a nurturing and enriching experience designed to strengthen the bond between you and your little one within the supportive Womb Yoga community. Each Womb Yoga class provides you and your child with a journey of movement, connection, and well-being. Explore gentle yoga poses, restorative exercises, and playful interactions that promote your baby's development while aiding your post-pregnancy recovery. Feel free to breastfeed, change nappies, or allow your baby to rest as needed. Join our supportive community of women, where you'll find understanding and camaraderie. Begin this precious opportunity to connect, grow, and thrive with your little one, all within the supportive embrace of the Womb Yoga circle. Separate Mum & Baby yoga classes are also offered at the Thanet and in the parks on warm, summer days! Click below to learn more about those classes and their locations, dates, and times.
MENOPAUSE YOGA
Embrace Support for a Graceful Transition
Motherhood's journey doesn't end with your last child leaving the nest. Womb Yoga embraces the cyclical nature of womanhood, offering a supportive space for you to navigate the beautiful yet sometimes challenging transition of menopause. This practice is specifically tailored to address the unique needs of perimenopausal and post-menopausal women. Here's what you can expect: Nourishing Movement & Breathwork: Gentle yoga postures and mindful breathing techniques help manage common symptoms like hot flashes, fatigue, and muscle aches. Emotional Wellbeing: Womb Yoga fosters self-compassion and empowers you to embrace this transformative stage with grace. Strength & Flexibility: Womb Yoga promotes bone density, improves flexibility, and supports overall strength for healthy aging. Sensual Exploration: I create a safe space for you to reconnect with your body and rediscover sensuality beyond childbearing. Supportive Community: Connect with other women on a similar journey, fostering understanding and shared experiences. Join us and experience the joy of movement, the power of mindfulness, and the comfort of a supportive community as you embrace this exciting chapter of your life.
"Ashley helped me prepare for my motherhood experience via mindful birthing meditation + yoga therapy two to three days a week. When labor began I wasn't allowed to have my husband with me due to covid. Ashley stopped what she was doing to be with me via facetime + led me through 30 minutes of gentle yoga, followed by pranayama + meditation which helped me feel strong and powerful again. Her ability to make me visualize my power still resonates with me today."
~ Ana Lucia
Pregnancy yoga Details & FAQs
QUESTION: What is the difference between prenatal and postnatal yoga? ANSWER: Prenatal yoga focuses on gentle poses, stretches, and breathing exercises to promote flexibility, strength, and relaxation during pregnancy. It also incorporates practices to prepare for childbirth. Postnatal yoga focuses on gentle movement and core strengthening to aid recovery after childbirth, while also addressing emotional well-being and the transition to motherhood.
QUESTION:Is this class suitable for beginners? ANSWER: Absolutely! This class welcomes beginners and experienced yogis alike. Modifications will be offered throughout the practice to cater to various fitness levels and stages of pregnancy/postpartum recovery.
QUESTION: What should I wear to class? ANSWER: Wear comfortable, breathable clothing that allows you to move freely. For prenatal yoga, consider wearing supportive maternity activewear.
QUESTION: Do I need to bring anything to class? ANSWER: Please bring a yoga mat and a water bottle. If you have any yoga props you prefer to use, feel free to bring them along. I may also have some props available for use in the studio.
QUESTION: Is it safe to do yoga while pregnant? ANSWER: Consulting with your healthcare provider before starting any new exercise program, including yoga, is highly recommended. However, safe and appropriate prenatal yoga can offer numerous benefits for expecting mothers.
QUESTION: When is the best time to start prenatal yoga? ANSWER: You can start prenatal yoga at any stage of your pregnancy but only if you have a doctor's permission. It is beneficial to begin as early as the first trimester (particularly if you have had previous experience), but even joining in the later stages can provide numerous benefits for your body and well-being.
QUESTION: Can I modify poses if I'm experiencing discomfort? ANSWER: Absolutely! Listening to your body is essential throughout pregnancy. I encourage you to modify any pose that feels uncomfortable and communicate with me about any limitations you may have.
QUESTION: Are there any poses to avoid during pregnancy? ANSWER: It's best to avoid poses that put strain on your abdominal muscles, require lying flat on your back for extended periods, or involve twisting the torso excessively. I will guide you through safe and effective poses for each stage of pregnancy.
QUESTION: Are there any specific benefits of prenatal yoga and postnatal yoga? ANSWER: Prenatal and postnatal yoga offer a wealth of benefits for moms-to-be and new mothers. Both practices can ease pregnancy discomforts, improve sleep and energy levels, and prepare the body for childbirth and recovery. Yoga also reduces stress, boosts mood, and strengthens core muscles, all while potentially connecting you with a supportive community of women.
QUESTION: How soon after giving birth can I start attending postnatal yoga classes? ANSWER: It is generally recommended to wait until you have received medical clearance from your healthcare provider before starting any exercise program, including postnatal yoga. Generally, waiting 6-8 weeks postpartum for a vaginal birth and 8-10 weeks for a cesarean delivery is recommended. Once you have received the green light, you can join our classes to support your recovery and well-being.
QUESTION: Will this class help me recover from childbirth? ANWER: Postnatal yoga offers gentle movements and targeted poses that can help strengthen your core muscles, improve pelvic floor health, and promote overall recovery after childbirth.
QUESTION: Can I bring my baby to the pregnancy yoga classes? ANSWER: Yes. Unless a class is specied as solely prenatal or solely postnatal, then babies are welcome to all Pregnancy Yoga classes. Some classes are just for mums who need some time for themselves. Please feel free to contact me to discuss your specific situation. For children who are crawling, please speak with me directly. I will attempt to form a group class for you and your toddler.
QUESTION: Will this class help me lose baby weight? ANSWER: While yoga can contribute to a healthy weight management approach, it's important to focus on overall well-being and healthy eating habits during postpartum recovery. Yoga can help you regain strength and flexibility, which can support your body's natural weight management processes.
QUESTION: How much does the class cost? ANSWER: I offer various pricing options for our pregnancy & postnatal yoga program, including drop-in rates, class packages, and monthly memberships. Please explore the pricing page or contact me for the latest pricing information.
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