Hatha Yoga

Yoga is for anyone regardless of your size, fitness level, age, ability. Everyone works at their own level without competing.  
Yoga postures (asanas) stretch, flex, extend and twist the spine. They create space in the joints and undo stiffness and tension, increasing stamina and keeping the body strong and supple. Yoga postures help to improve the posture, increasing energy levels and feeling of well-being. Yoga postures are combined with breathing to stimulate the circulation, the digestive and nervous systems to keep the body healthy and energetic.

Nicki will offer modifications and alternatives where appropriate in the class and help you refine your awareness to where there may be forcing or holding of tension in the body so that you receive maximum benefit from your yoga

Breathing practices (pranayama) help to relieve stress, calm the nervous system and improve oxygenation of the body. Breathing becomes fuller and easier. This in turn increases energy, improves the metabolic function by cleansing the body and is beneficial to the cardiovascular system.

Relaxation allows muscles to soften and release tension, reduces stress and blood pressure, calms the nervous system and clears the mind, promoting better sleep patterns.

Yoga aids concentration and helps to generate a feeling of well being and optimism

Yoga for Pregnancy

Movements are used to help relieve the common discomforts in pregnancy, to create space, to release the pelvic area, to build strength and stamina, in preparation for labour and birth. Breathing techniques are taught to help release tension, to stay calm and focused, to build self-confidence, increase energy and for use during labour.

Relaxation techniques are taught to help with pain management, regulating hormones and blood pressure and to calm and refresh, particularly helpful during late pregnancy when sleep is difficult.

My aim is that you will learn tools to prepare you physically and mentally for your journey into motherhood, so that you will go into your labour and birth feeling positive, calm and confident in your body's ability.

Although there is no guarantee that your birth experience will be exactly how you envisage it, you will have practiced how to remain open - minded and calm knowing that the tools you have learnt increase your chances of a positive, empowering birth experience.

Post Natal Recovery Yoga for mums and babies
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These informal, supportive classes offer the perfect way to gently tone muscles, especially the pelvic floor, abdominal and back muscles. This helps in realigning and strengthening the pelvic area after birth. Movements are offered that help to relieve the strain on the shoulders and back from cradling and feeding baby realigning the posture after pregnancy and helping to balance hormonal changes following childbirth.. Relaxation techniques are offered to help revive your energy levels, balance emotional / hormonal changes following the birth and cope with lack of sleep.

The classes are an ideal way of sharing the joy of yoga with your baby. During the classes babies are included in the practices, enjoying the songs / rhymes and passive stretches with their mums. This enhances the bond between you and your baby. It can help relieve a colicky baby, settle a fussy baby and may improve sleep patterns.

Relaxing with your baby enables you to teach your baby cues for indicating a time of relaxation together and can be helpful if your baby is upset or tired. It also allows you a time of self-nurture, to recharge your batteries at any time you need to during your day.

There is an opportunity at the end of this class for a chat and to link up with other mums and babies.