Perhaps most importantly, this hour-long class is a time for you to be with your body and your baby during your pregnancy – which can be a busy and full time!
Class will begin and end with quiet, guided time to connect to yourself and the baby. We’ll take time to gently warm up and cool down as this is essential during pregnancy to help prevent injury and create a sense of wellbeing in the body. We’ll do many postures that encourage the body to softly open and relax, easing aches and postural pains. In the middle of class we will make our way through a series of movements from Yoga Asana practice, Ballet Barre, and classic Strength Training to help to strengthen and stabilize the body. Pregnant bodies tend toward looseness as they prepare for birth, so adding strength and stability into the mix is highly beneficial. During this portion, Neva will always offer options to increase or decrease the workload. While exercising during pregnancy (when cleared by a midwife or doctor to do so) can be an important piece of maintaining a healthy body and mind, overexercising can take away precious energy. Neva will encourage each person to work at their own pace, approach their body with kindness and care, and tailor each session to their unique needs. There will also be a time during each class specifically focused on the pelvis and the pelvic floor. This intimate work is vitally important during pregnancy, birth, and post-partum. Having familiarity and comfort working with the pelvis in a supportive way can truly change a birther’s experience of the whole process of bringing new life into the world.
Class will include a variety of props to help offer a well supported practice. Ideally, each session will leave participants feeling calmer, stronger, and more connected to themselves and their baby.
Neva has over 15 years of teaching experience with a combination of ballet barre, yoga, meditation, contemporary dance, acrobatics, and somatics. She has many years of teaching pre- and post-natal embodiment, including training new instructors how to do so. She is the mother of a 3-year-old named Dion and during this series will be in the second trimester with baby #2.
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