Prenatal Yoga

In this all-levels yoga class, moms will cultivate the flexibility, concentration and strength needed during the transformative time of pregnancy and childbirth. Enjoy the community of other expecting mothers while we practice modified yoga postures, breath work, vocal toning, meditation, and relaxation. No previous yoga experience necessary.

Weekly Prenatal Yoga Classes

10-11 am Sundays on Zoom

Register for a 4- or 5-week Series - $12 per class

Classes are offered in a progressive series that builds on the previous classes. One class may be carried over into the following series or baby yoga.

Pay by the Class - $15 per class

Simply drop in as your schedule allows. Advanced reservations are appreciated but not required. Drop-in reservations may be rescheduled within 30 days of original class with 15 min advance notice.

* All prenatal classes subject to DC fitness services tax of 6%

Parents of children’s and family class enrollees are welcome to take prenatal yoga as a makeup class – and vice versa – using the makeup scheduler. Log in to your registration account to reserve.

Upcoming Classes

What happens in prenatal yoga?

Yoga practice during pregnancy is designed to help moms build strength and fitness while accessing the inner resources to face the challenges of labor with confidence and calm. A typical prenatal yoga class might involve:

Breathing

Prenatal yoga breathing techniques may help you reduce or manage shortness of breath during pregnancy and work through contractions during labor.

Strength and Fitness Work

Moms in prenatal yoga are working to maintain fitness for a comfortable pregnancy as well as train for the endurance event that is labor and birth. Holding your bodyweight in postures while working against gravity is a great way to build strength. We'll also do pregnancy appropriate vinyasa, moving with breath, to build fitness.

Stretching

You'll be encouraged to gently move different areas of your body through their full range of motion while standing, sitting or lying on the ground.

Mindfulness & Mental Focus

Through mindful movement, concentration exercises, and guided visualizations, mammas prepare for birth and parenthood. You might be encouraged to listen to your own breathing, pay close attention to sensations, thoughts and emotions, or repeat a mantra or word to bring about a state of self-awareness and inner calm.

Relaxation & Rest

Every prenatal yoga class sets aside time for conscious relaxation in restorative postures. You'll relax your muscles and restore your resting heart rate and breathing rhythm.

Prenatal yoga was a weekly treat for me during my pregnancy. After class I always felt stronger and more centered – better prepared for childbirth and parenthood. Before the prenatal course, I didn't have much interest in yoga, but Jen's course made me a believer. I look forward to continuing my yoga practice in the future."

- Jen R, student

"I want to thank Breathing Space for the amazing prenatal yoga class on Thursday nights. It was very therapeutic and provided a lot of support during my pregnancy. "

- Kristen R, student

Prenatal Yoga Frequently Asked Questions

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I’m an experienced yogi. Will I get a workout in a prenatal yoga class?

Prenatal Yoga Class - Balance Pose Prenatal yoga classes focus on the fundamentals because so many women start yoga for the first time during pregnancy. We work to build flexibility, strength and fitness through modified postures and movements designed for pregnancy. We focus on exercises that might address common pregnancy discomforts and prepare for the endurance event moms are training for: birth.

More experienced yogis who take care to adjusting for their changing bodies may try to keep up their non-prenatal weekly class well into pregnancy. That’s fine, but I still recommend adding prenatal yoga to your routine.

The breath-exercises, concentration, and therapeutic work we do is not typical of a non-prenatal asana or vinyasa class. Also, the pregnancy-customized postures you learn can be incorporated into your non-prenatal yoga classes when the group instruction isn’t appropriate for you.

What worked for me (Jen) was continuing my one regular weekly class (with self-modifications as my belly grew) and one prenatal class for pregnancy and birth specific techniques and to be in community with expecting moms.

Category: prenatal yoga