Mum & Baby Yoga classes in Reading

Calm Births Mum & Baby Yoga classes are back in Reading! Following a rather prolonged hiatus due to Covid, we are now able to resume face to face classes safely.

Mum & Baby Yoga classes are designed specifically for Mums and their non-mobile babies, the Yoga is for Mum to very gently regain her pre-pregnancy strength and core balance, and we entertain the baby along the way. This is a wonderful way to bond with your baby in a fun environment. Our classes are small, relaxed and friendly - lots of wonderful friendships have been made between parents (and babies too!). We have plenty of time to chat about the important things, to look after you emotionally as well as physically.

We know that babies will need to be fed, cuddled or changed at various points and that is all fine. There is no judgement of any kind, I encourage you to do what your baby needs you to do, and to join in with what you can.

I am a qualified Birthlight Yoga teacher with a background in Midwifery, and I am also a Mum of 3 myself - so I fully understand how important it is for you to take a little time to honour and look after your postnatal body and mind each week for your full and thriving recovery from birth. It’s so important to be able to connect with other new Mums to share your experiences and support each other too.

Classes run on Friday mornings from 10-11.15am in the Grazeley Green Village Hall (RG7 1LD). Due to number restrictions booking is essential, and the cost is £10 per class - for block bookings of 4 the cost is £35 (£8.75 per class).

To book your slot or for more information please simply click below or get in touch by email: hannah@calmbirths.uk / call: 07852 954122

I look forward to meeting you and your baby! Hannah x

5 tips for dealing with a heat wave when you're pregnant.

So, summer is well and truly here and It. Is. HOT. Fantastic! Or not.. if you are heavily pregnant, this heat is no joke at all and can be really really awful. Unless of course you are able to spend all of your time in an air conditioned room, with a lovely big pool and cold drinks on demand. No? In that case,  I have put together some (hopefully) helpful tips to keep you cool this summer:

1) Sleeping. Or lack thereof. This is a big problem when it's hot and can leave you feeling exhausted. Try having a cold shower (as cold as you can stand it) as the last thing you do before going to bed, just lightly dry your body leaving it slightly damp and get yourself in front of a fan/ air-con unit/ window to dry off. It will drop your body temperature down nicely before getting in to bed.

Sleep with a cool flannel on your forehead, and just under a single sheet. Another trick whilst lying in bed is to visualise being somewhere reaaaaallly cold, and fool your body into thinking it's not hot - you have to really use your imagination but it can work! (Those of you who are HypnoBirthers will appreciate the strength of mind over matter)

2) Water spray - these are amazing, just a small bottle like this one from Boots for only £1.55 kept in your handbag during the day and by your bedside at night can offer wonderful instant relief.

3) Peppermint foot cooling gel - I found this one from Body Shop but they are sold in lots of places. I was gifted some by a friend when pregnant with my first, and it was hands down the best thing I was bought! Getting to sleep when pregnant can be tricky even when it's not hot, and lots of people suffer with restless leg syndrome - I found this stuff worked wonders.

4) Water, water and more water. Sorry, I know it's a boring one but the importance can't really be stressed enough. You need to have a good water intake when pregnant normally, and if you're losing moisture through perspiration in the sun then you and baby need even more. The trick to know whether you're getting enough is your pee - if it is clear and odourless then that's perfect, keep up the good work. If your pee is a bit on the yellow side and has an odour, then try drinking a bit more (spread the increase throughout the day, don't go and down a litre of water). 

5) Cankles anyone? Have your feet / ankles / calves all merged into one attractive lump in the heat? Upping your fluid intake actually helps with this too, as it works through your lymphatic system and helps to flush it all out. Keep your feet elevated whenever you can too, whilst watching TV or even at your desk, have your feet as raised as you can. 

Failing all that, fill a bath with iced water and settle in for the day! 

News Flash! Mum & Baby Yoga coming to Calm Births!

When? Tuesday mornings 11.15 to 12.15

Where?  Burghfield Common Village Hall, RG7 3EN

How much? 1st class is FREE!!! After that it's £45 for 5 classes.

Booking is essential, please contact me for more information: hannah@calmbirths.uk or book directly here.

Using a gentle, holistic approach, the small classes give Mums a chance to connect with their bodies, their babies and with other new Mums.

Classes can start from 6 weeks after giving birth (or earlier in a one to one setting), right up to when baby is crawling. The early weeks and months after having a baby are such a precious time, and it's so vital that you are allowed time to heal, re-energise and have some time just for YOU.  Meeting in a non-judgemental, loving space using a gentle yoga practice, Mums will re-gain strength in the abdominal muscles, pelvic floor muscles and back as well as gently re-aligning posture after carrying a baby for 9 months. Core strength will gently be re-built as well as an emotional release and re-energise. 

All encompassing, the course is tailored for you - no matter what kind of pregnancy and birth you may have had, we tailor it to be suitable for all.

And there's no crazy legs behind the head moves, it's all very gentle with no previous yoga experience necessary! 

Mums and their babes will be given a warm welcome and a cup of tea (and even a hug if it's been a rough night and a struggle to get out!). The course is in blocks of five weeks, as we will work in a gentle progression from week one to five. The yoga is for Mum, and we interact with babies the whole time, giving them a wonderful show. It's really important for babies to watch their Mums enjoying themselves, doing something for themselves and connecting with their bodies.

We enjoy lots of laughter and smiles, and I fully expect your baby to need a nappy change or feed at some point (or even just a shout) - that is fine, Mums are all in the same experience and we will just go with the flow.