~ Pre-natal yoga available at Joga ~
After my very first class ever, I have one message for all you pregnant ladies out there: “Prenatal Yoga – DO IT!”
After starting out in a super comfortably seated position, I thought to myself: “Why have I never done this before?” Seven and a half years ago, I was pregnant with my first child, but I never made the time out of my busy schedule to really take good care of myself. This time round, however, at seven and a half months pregnant, I have had the opportunity and have made the time – and I’m so glad I did.
If you are pregnant or plan to be pregnant soon, I must share with you how wonderful and important this experience is. After a few weeks of not being able to make the time to head out to my very first pre-natal class, which ended up being my very first class at Joga SXM, I am a huge fan. Sure I had done yoga both before and after my first pregnancy, but pre-natal yoga is something else altogether, especially when it comes to the instructor Valerie, who is a very highly praised yoga instructor – that’s what I’ve heard from students both old and new.
Valerie has ultimate respect for the human body, each woman’s situation, and body type and levels. When it comes to the birthing experience, she is also very knowledgeable both as a mother and as one who assists in births. She helps us realize that we have to “get out of mother nature’s way”, reminding us that giving birth, although new to some, is an amazing yet regular part of mother nature. We are meant to do this.
Valerie’s knowledge and demeanour put you at ease, and make you feel more ready to give birth. She goes through the various poses and positions with so much care, and explains how these are very beneficial for the various body parts involved in the birthing process. With all the discomforts that tend to come with pregnancy – sleepless or near sleepless nights, peeing all the time, backaches, muscle aches, leg cramps, overall fatigue, the feeling of getting heavier, loss of balance, and a lot more that I am myself currently experiencing – taking a prenatal yoga class at Joga is such a relief; a breath of fresh air and time for you to connect with the life growing inside of you.
At some point, Valerie let me know that my breathing needed to change as I was somewhat forcefully exhaling and pursing my lips. She explained that there is a relation between the lips upstairs and downstairs and that in our situation, it is more effective to slacken the mouth when exhaling out. That was such a great piece of advice, that I have kept it with me and I remember it every day. Instead of sighing or exhaling air very hard through pursed lips, I remind myself to relax them so that the very important parts of me are more relaxed, which will be especially useful when I go into labour.
Whether you are just starting out, not very active, a yoga expert, an athlete or a regular person who sits in an office all day, pre-natal yoga is so important, it helps you to escape stress and reconnect to what is important. You will walk out feeling refreshed, super calm and ready to face the rest of your hectic day or go easily into a nap. Prenatal yoga classes are every Tuesday and start at 10:30am.
For more information, please read the interview with Valerie on the next page and contact 1 (721) 544-1555, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Facebook.com/JogaSXM. Joga SXM is located on 16 Welfare Drive #2B, Cole Bay. Joga SXM is located on the lagoon in the building behind First Caribbean Bank. Take the steps up beside UPS and walk towards the lagoon side.
