Why did you want to take prenatal training?
Rachel: I became interested in Prenatal yoga during my basic 200hr Vinyasa Flow training in 2010. Our class strapped bolsters to our bellies in order to simulate the shape of pregnancy, and then did Sun Salutations - it was so interesting to try and move with the extra "baby" - and the bolsters weren't nearly as heavy as the weight of carrying an actual baby! That experience totally expanded my mind, and made me realize I want to make yoga accessible to EVERYONE. I had tried to take the training last year, but things just didn't line up - I am so excited that I got to experience the training this time around.
Why did you choose this particular training?
Rachel: I received my training from Integral Yoga Institute (IYI) in the West Village in New York City. I have always really loved their mindful approach to teaching yoga, including the wonderful focus on Pranayama (breath work) and Meditation. Also, the IYI Prenatal program is the most intensive Yoga Alliance Certified prenatal training being offered - it's an 85 hour training, which is A LOT! To teach vinyasa flow yoga, you need a 200hr teaching certificate - so basically this Prenatal training was about half of the standard training!
What did you know about pregnant women and yoga before the training?
Rachel: Honestly, not much. I had heard, through the grapevine of other teachers, to tell pregnant women "no heat, nothing on your belly, no twisting, no back-bending, no quick movements" it seemed like a lot of "No" and restrictions. The truth is, there are a few contraindications for pregnant women, but really pregnant women are like rockstar goddess warrior princess creatures - they are GROWING A HUMAN! :) And just like I say in all of my all levels classes, your practice is about you. If it feels right - do it, if not - don't. Women are super in tune with their bodies during pregnancy, so it is an amazing time (and very beneficial) to practice yoga. I hope to help pregnant women embrace this powerful time in their lives, and make it their own.
What was the most surprising thing you think you learned?
Rachel: The pelvis is powerful! I loved the anatomy section of the training - it was so interesting. As a woman who does not have children yet it was so cool to learn that women's bodies are designed to bear children - of course I KNEW that, but actually learning the specifics of how all of the systems in our bodies (Endocrine, Central Nervous, Reproductive, Immune, Respiratory, Cardio-Vascular, Gastro-Intestinal, Uro-Genital/Renal, Integumentary, Skeletal and Muscular) amazingly adapt to growing a human being was just incredible. I love to learn, so I really tried to soak up as much as I could from my wonderful teachers Beth Donnelly Caban, Lara Kohn Thompson, and Kelly Devi Swails, and also from my wonderful classmates. Our class was about 20 women, and over the two weeks we got to know each other pretty well. It was really amazing to learn from everyone's individual life experience - everyone in the class was already a yoga teacher, plus we had a few doula's, one midwife, many already mommas, and even two mom's to be.
What makes prenatal yoga different from gentle yoga or Lamaze class? Can my partner join me for class?
Rachel: The style of class that I will be teaching is based on fluidity and movement. Pregnant ladies love to, and need to, move to keep blood and nutrients circulating to their babies. There will be many powerful poses in the sequence of class, along with periods of rest, all utilized by the breath and practiced with the intention of alleviating common pregnancy discomforts, and preparing for labor. We will also be increasing our Pelvic Floor awareness, and practicing some super yummy Yoga Nidra (deep relaxation) - think Savasana to the tenth power! The prenatal class is going to be a super safe place for mommas to come and practice, without the influence of the outside world. A strong community of women is created through a brief introduction of themselves, along with what stage they are in pregnancy, and any other information they'd like to share (including aches/pains emotional and physical, changes, etc). This not only helps to let the women (especially first time mommas) feel more comfortable within their ever-changing bodies - ie "oh, that woman is ALSO feeling SI pain," but also helps me as a teacher to help them with certain poses that are beneficial or contraindicated based on their information sharing. So, having non-pregnant partners involved in the class would affect this special sharing bond. That being said, I learned some AWESOME partner yoga/adjustments that are totally pampering for mom-to-be, which, if the interest was there, I would be more than happy to teach in a workshop kind of format, maybe once a month or so? After there is a following, of course :)
Sign up for class online or in the studio, starting June 16th! Any further questions for Rachel? Send it to info@mightyyoga.com.
Prenatal Yoga w/ Rachel VerValin
Sundays, 1:15 - 2:30p
Summer series starts June 16th (yes, we realize this is also Father's Day, ;)
Class passes apply. Sign up early to be sure class goes on that day.
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