Yoga classes
I offer weekly yoga classes in Edinburgh. My classes provide a secure, intimate, comfortable and calm environment for you to connect with your baby and with your body. I will help you work with helpful tools, breathing exercises (pranayama) and physical postures (asanas) that could support you during and after pregnancy. During class, we can also explore various exercises that come useful during labour for a more active birth. Postnatally, we can focus on gradually recovering and regaining strength. I am here to assist you and help you maintain physical strength and flexibility, focusing on breathing, mindfulness and relaxation, regardless of your previous yoga experience.
You can attend prenatal classes from 12 weeks of pregnancy. Please check with your midwife or doctor before starting any exercise, particularly if there are any issues with your pregnancy. After the birth of your baby, you can attend once you’ve had your postnatal check up, from at least 6 weeks if you had a vaginal birth, and at least 12 weeks if you had a cesarean birth. Please bring your own yoga mat, water and comfortable clothing.
You can book all classes on our sister website Marcela de León Yoga
Before the baby
Pregnancy Yoga
Together we will explore various ways to enjoy the benefits of yoga, while respecting your body and acknowledging any common pregnancy discomforts and symptoms such as pelvic girdle pain (PGP), nausea and sickness, heart-burn, tiredness, cramps, carpal tunnel syndrome, and lower back pain. The classes also have a deep focus on mindfulness, body awareness and the use of visualisation and breathing techniques to support relaxation during pregnancy, labour and childbirth.
I keep my yoga classes small and intimate, so I can truly focus on individually assisting each one of you, and tailor the exercises to best suit your pregnancy. I also believe that the intimacy of having a small group has great advantages to the future mamas, and as the course progresses, you can all develop a closer network of support between yourselves if that is what you wish to do. Classes are either 60 or 75 minutes and include pranayama, asana, relaxation and a brief women’s circle. This is an informal and lovely way to get to know the other mums to be in the class, share a laugh, chat about any concerns you may have.
Weekly classes:
Pregnancy Yoga & Birth Preparation (in person)
Tuesdays 7:00 pm (75 min) @ The Old School House, Morningside - book here
After the baby
Mum & Baby Yoga
Practising yoga with babies is such a beautiful experience. I offer both Mum & Baby, and Parent & Baby classes (Dads are more than welcome to join!). After birth, it is such a special experience to continue supporting mamas and meeting their beautiful babies. Similarly to my prenatal classes, I offer small and intimate yoga with baby classes. Once you have had your postnatal check-up, we can start working together to gradually recover strength and maintain fitness. The format of these classes is much more relaxed and informal and of course, totally unpredictable! The babies tend to be the centre of attention and pretty much the leaders of the class. Sometimes we do a lot a yoga, sometimes less! But the aim is to be able to enjoy a continuous yoga practice with your baby, as you’ve already been practising together for a few months now.
I will aim to keep it gentle and focus on any issues you may be experiencing with your recovery such as diastasis recti, pelvic floor issues or a caesarean birth. I will also guide you through some gentle exercises that you can do with your baby so you can make him or her part of the class (mood depending of course!). Classes are usually 60 minutes and involve yoga and relaxation.
Weekly classes:
Mum & Baby Yoga (in person)
Mondays 10:00 am (60 min) @ The Old School House, Morningside - book here