Prenatal Yoga at The Yoga Center Retreat
jai prenatal yoga
Our founder, Jennifer Gray, is an expert in prenatal yoga and has been teaching for over 25 years. Jennifer did yoga while pregnant and is deeply tied to the benefits prenatal yoga provides physically, mentally, and emotionally for soon to be mothers. Her passion for yoga for pregnant women inspired her to create JAI Prenatal Yoga, a system of asana (poses) and meditation for pregnant moms, and pranayama (breath work) for labor and delivery.
JAI means “hurrah or victory” in Sanskrit (and combined are the first initials of Jen’s 3 kids). JAI Prenatal yoga honors all styles of birthing from C-section to waterbirth and will give you tools to embrace the in-betweens and unknowns that may arise throughout your journey. With classes focusing on restoring, renewing, invigorating, and rejuvenating, they are suited for all stages of pregnancy as we honor the ever-changing body and backgrounds in yoga from first timers to experienced practitioners.
drop-in prenatal yoga classes
JAI Prenatal Yoga is a unique program that helps pregnant moms develop peaceful tools to use throughout pregnancy that also translate into the birthing room. Each class explores meditation, visualization, pranayama (breathing technique), vocal toning, and asana to gain confidence in these tools to allow your intuition to drive your birthing experience. Our prenatal classes utilize meditation and pranayama (breath work) for childbirth preparation, as well as asana (yoga poses) for strength and flexibility.
JAI Prenatal yoga for birthing WORKSHOP
During this fun and interactive workshop, couples will learn a variety of yoga-based coping techniques for labor and delivery. Each couple will practice what they learn and will receive a take home packet of information and tools for the birthing room! Breath work from JAI Prenatal Yoga is taught, along with labor massage, relaxation, and visualization. Special attention is given to the birth partner, who will be mentored in labor support.
baby & me teacher training
This training is for yoga teachers who want to bring yoga to the specific community of parents and new babies. This teacher training is six hours of study, practice, and sharing stories of early days with a new baby.
We will learn how this class differs from a gentle yoga class, and we will also focus on the physical postpartum challenges in the weeks and months after giving birth, as well as basic infant development.
Is yoga safe for expecting mothers?
Soon to be mothers frequently ask if yoga is safe and the answer is yes. Exercise is a healthy component of pregnancy, and our prenatal classes focus on the connection to breath and stress relief. Much care was taken in creating each class and instruction is given on how to modify each pose as your baby grows. Most woman are surprised more about what they can do during yoga versus what they can’t!
what are the benefits of prenatal yoga?
According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), regular exercise in general benefits a pregnant woman and the baby in the following way:
- Reduces back pain
- Eases constipation
- May decrease your risk of gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and cesarean delivery
- Promotes healthy weight gain during pregnancy
- Improves your overall general fitness and strengthens your heart and blood vessels
- Helps you lose the baby weight after your baby is born
Additionally, Mayo Clinic specifically cites prenatal yoga as an effective way to combat common conditions throughout pregnancy resulting in:
- Improved sleep
- Reduced anxiety and stress
- Stronger critical core muscles
- Reduced nausea, back spasms, lower back pain, and headaches
While prenatal yoga is exercise that helps you maintain mobility, it is designed to connect you to your parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) that takes over in quiet conditions when a person is at rest. The main purpose of the PNS is to conserve energy to be used later and to regulate bodily functions like digestion, activating metabolism, and helping the body relax. As your body changes so dramatically during pregnancy, yoga postures can also help relieve muscle strain. All these components help to keep mom and baby healthy as they grow together.
And what is one of the best outcomes of any Yoga Center Retreat Classes? You join a community of fellowship and support!