If you’ve got a new bundle of joy coming your way, don’t forget to take time for yourself.
Tanner Health System’s Get Healthy, Live Well is offering Prenatal Yoga classes to help keep you maintain balance and focus amid the many demands that come with preparing for your baby’s arrival.
According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), yoga reduces stress, improves flexibility, and encourages stretching and focused breathing — all things you need during this special time.
Tanner’s Prenatal Yoga will prepare your body — and your mind — for labor and delivery. The class, which meets weekly for six weeks, will also help strengthen and tone the muscles needed for pregnancy, birth and postpartum fitness.
The cost of the six-week class is $35. Women may bring their yoga mats or borrow one at the gym.
Mats are cleaned and sanitized after each class.
“Expecting moms will benefit from this class in a multitude of ways,” said certified Prenatal Yoga instructor Bonnie McClure, RPYT. “Not only does it provide exercise for strengthening and stretching muscles in preparation for labor, but it also helps keep the body fit for recovery postpartum.”
Prenatal Yoga also supports expecting moms emotionally by helping them cope with physical and hormonal transitions during pregnancy.
“Prenatal Yoga can alleviate tensions and pressures associated with pregnancy,” McClure said. “It is also a great way to establish a calm connection to your child. Moms can also find social support here, connecting to and relating to other mothers in all stages of pregnancy.”
As a mother of two, McClure is excited to bring Prenatal Yoga to the community.
“Prenatal Yoga helped me tremendously through both of my pregnancies,” she said. “Motherhood is transformational, no matter how many children you have. Each pregnancy is unique and different. Prenatal yoga helped me cope with the transitions of pregnancy physically, emotionally and mentally.”
It also helped her establish calm connections with her children that have continued through their relationship today.
“There is not really any other resource quite like this existing in our community, and I really felt it was important to offer to other mothers,” McClure said. “I went to Tanner Health System first for this special offering because of the wonderful care and support already offered by their maternity program.”
McClure is well-versed in the benefits of yoga and understands what it means to work full time, raise a family, and uphold other social roles such as sister, friend, volunteer, and wife.
“Life is busy,” McClure said. “I am committed to helping moms lower stress levels, which benefits both baby’s development and mom’s overall health. I am passionate about helping mothers connect to their intuitive wisdom and power as they embark on the motherhood journey.”
Before the first class, registered participants will receive a welcome email providing more information about class expectations and the importance of listening to their bodies while practicing yoga.
“During each class, mothers will be led through a sequence of calm reflection, breathing exercises and gentle postures, with special guidance to best support where each student is individually,” McClure said.
The class ends with a period of relaxation that each mother can practice maintaining as they manage life’s day-to-day obligations. Students are always encouraged to share what is working or not working for them before or after class, so the instructor can make modifications as needed.
For tips and encouragement for mothers, follow McClure on Instagram @embersyoga.
To register for our prenatal yoga class, visit tanner.org/yoga.
Space is limited, so register today.
