Yoga comes in many different forms. The main thing to look for is a class or programme that is designed specifically for pregnant or postnatal ladies. Yogis teaching pre and postnatal yoga will have specialist training to ensure that it is safe throughout all stages of pregnancy and your postnatal recovery period. We have looked for the best online pregnancy and postnatal yoga classes for you and here are our top 5:
Lucy Flow: Yoga Birth and Motherhood
What is involved:
You can choose one of the following plans (or all):
- A pregnancy yoga course where there is over 5 hours of content with 10 specialist pregnancy yoga flows, 5 express stretch videos, with breathing techniques, yoga for birth and other bonus content.
- A postnatal yoga course where Lucy has designed the Postnatal course in sections covering Pelvic Floor & Core, C-Section Recovery, Stretch Me, Relax Me, Baby & Me, Strengthen Me, Flow with Me so that you can get whatever you need each time you get your yoga mat out.
- A complete birth prep programme where you receive a full hypnobirthing programme, in depth knowledge of yoga, biomechanics, and the anatomy of birth and all the things you can do to optimise vaginal birth outcome.
What we love about it:
- There is a lot to love about the pre and postnatal classes that Lucy has created because Lucy isn’t just a yoga teacher, she is also a birth and postnatal doula, hypnobirthing coach and mum of three!
- Classes very in length so you can choose what suits your schedule.
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Membership also included access to their Members’ Facebook community.
- Lucy’s videos are really easy to follow and really well explained.
- The workouts are all split into categories, i.e. strengthening, hips, back, legs, so it’s really easy to choose what you need depending on how you’re feeling that day.
Better Birth Company
What is involved:
Donna Bull is a pregnancy and Hypnobirthing teacher. The classes aim to help you prepare your mind and body for birth, so you feel physically strong and mentally prepared, with tools and techniques to help carry you through labour and birth.
Why is this in our online pregnancy and postnatal yoga classes Top 5? Well, If I was to go back and do ‘it all’ again, this would be my course of choice. With 20 Pregnancy Yoga classes that are suitable for everyone, whether you’re a complete beginner or have been enjoying yoga for years. There’s also a module on Relaxation, to prepare your mind so you look forward to giving birth, free from anxiety and fear.
What we love about it:
- The Pregnancy yoga classes are suitable from 13 weeks to full term and then drop in classes are available postnatally.
- The online classes are run as a course, not individual classes, helping you to progress your practice.
- There is a module on breathing, to calm the nervous system and facilitate the flow of oxytocin.
- I think a one off payment of £47, with access for 9 months is a really good offer.
Glo
What is involved:
Glo Yoga is all about the App. It’s a beautifully designed app that is so simple to use. You can download it for free right now and have a browse. Search pre or postnatal and you will find hundreds of Yoga classes suitable for the various stages in your pregnancy (or after).
What we love about it:
- You can select the class you want based on time, style or trimester.
- The app is simple to use and means that you can take your Yoga classes with you wherever you go.
- There are hundreds of classes to choose from (and lots of different instructors).
- Glo specialise in all things yoga so when you are ready to move on, you can take on any of their other, more advanced classes, to get back to your pre pregnancy fitness levels.
Where to find more information:
Click here or download the app here (apple) or here (android).
Lush Tums Yoga at Home
What is involved:
Lush Tums have created content to support ladies through every trimester. They take into account nausea, fatigue and exhaustion in the first trimester. Then when you are feeling more energised in your second trimester, the prenatal classes get a little more active and challenging. Moving into the third trimester, focusing more on birth preparation, how to move to help your baby into a good position, hypno-birthing breathing practices to help you prepare for labour, plus guided relaxations to get you into a positive frame of mind. They really seem to have it all covered.
What we love about it:
- Suitable for every trimester, from complete beginners to experienced yogis, with extra special practices to help ease away all pregnancy aches & pains.
- Throughout the classes you also have the option to learn hypno-birthing practices and all about labour to help you can make informed empowered choices, giving birth with a positive mindset.
- You can mirror to your TV so you can watch the classes ‘on the big screen’.
NHS Prenatal and Postnatal Yoga
What is involved:
There is nothing fancy or complicated about this selection. It is a free 45 minute guided Yoga session that is approved by the NHS. This was run as a live class and was recorded to allow other mums to have access as needed. You can do this video workout during pregnancy and after the birth once you have the all-clear to start exercising again.
What we love about it:
- It is totally free, just click THIS link and press play.
- You don’t need any equipment except a few pillows and a blanket.
- There is a link on the page also for a bedtime meditation class. This could be really useful if you are struggling to unwind or finding that stress is playing a big role in your day.
Conclusion
As you can see from the list, when looking for the best online pregnancy and postnatal Yoga classes, your options vary greatly. What works for one person doesn’t necessarily work for the next so do some research before commiting.