AquaBellies® mentors guide women and infants through the most important stages of their lives using gentle water based yogic practices and gentle fitness. Our classes are not just for pregnancy or with baby, but for all women at every stage of their lives.
AquaBellies classes are for women throughout their lives and follow the same peaceful, healthy philosophy as our mat based YogaBellies classes. Water based movement has many benefits including relaxation, releasing hydrostatic pressure, relieving swelling in joints and limbs and allowing you to bliss out.
AquaBellies, AquaTinies, AquaMamas and AquaBelles (our classes not related to pregnancy or babies) allow you to stretch, strengthen and maintain your flexibity… with half of the effort! Have a look at our range of AquaBellies classes to find out which one is for you.
You may have heard of the many physical and psychological benefits that participating in yoga can bring…why not take your practice to the pool and allow your body to meet a whole new wave of health benefits.
Exercising in the water is known for its therapeutic and rehabilitation uses, well designed classes and a motivating instructor will give you a thorough workout that is just as effective as land based exercise.
To start with let’s look at hydrostatic pressure, a property you cannot benefit from when doing land base exercise. This is the gentle pressure on the body caused by the water when you are in the pool. This increases the deeper into the pool you go, think of your body being gently squeezed by the water. This pressure, along with the movement of the water provides a gentle massaging effect around the body helping with a variety of ailments. As this massaging effect is equal around the body, it assists with circulation and blood pressure by helping the venous return. If you suffer with high blood pressure and the doctor has advised you are safe to take part in exercise, gentle water based exercises would be a good way to take part and may help to lower your blood pressure. As your circulation is being controlled by the water-there is no added stress on the organs- meaning that your metabolism is still working while you are exercising- this is often why you can feel really hungry after you have been to the pool! The gentle pressure temporarily relieves oedema and fluid retention by encouraging the fluid back into the circulatory system (you may need to use the toilet more after your class!). If you are an asthma sufferer (providing chlorine does not have an adverse effect on your asthma), the hydrostatic pressure around your chest while exercising will help to strengthen your respiratory muscles, along with a warm and humid environment should make exercising in the water comfortable.
Buoyancy is the “floaty” feeling you get when you enter the water, a feeling of weightlessness that can be well received especially when you are in the later stages of pregnancy. This is also of benefit to those who are overweight or have a problem with their joints. This is one of the reasons why water exercise is used in injury rehabilitation, as it reduces the weight being loaded onto the joints, which may be overload for land based exercise and provides temporary relief from aches and pains. Standing chest depth in water can reduce impact on the body by as much as 90%. The buoyancy will change your centre of gravity and therefore your body will be using core muscles to keep you upright, so you will be strengthening important muscles before you even start your exercise! This “floaty feeling” will promote a sense of well being during the relaxation phase of your class and will also help to slow down the pace at which you work at in the water, but don’t worry- the resistance will make sure youwork just as hard as if you were on land!
Resistance- the reason why walking in water seems pretty hard… infact it is 12 times harderthan if you were to walk on land, and the deeper into the pool you are, the stronger the resistance. This water property is what instructors use to create a great workout. When not using any water weights you have resistance from every angle, meaning that you are gently toning all areas of your body as you exercise, thus creating a balanced way to improve your fitness. Resistance will also help to slow down your pace, reducing the risk of injury or falls (you can’t fall over in the water!). Adding resistance through water depth, water weights or changing your body position will help to provide more of a challenge- therefore the class can be easily adapted for everyone no matter what stage of fitness you are at!
The water temperature will keep you feeling comfortable throughout your class, meaning you can work harder during each asana (yogic posture), without necessarily feeling it. The calming effects of the water, combined with your yogic relaxation and breathing techniques will ensure that you do not leave your class feeling flushed, hot and sweaty but peaceful, invigorated and empowered (albeit slightly hungry!)
AquaBellies classes are 45 minute sessions in the swimming pool designed specifically for pregnant women. Classes vary each week and involve a mix of cardiovascular exercises, games and activities, aqua circuits, aqua yoga and floating exercises. AquaBellies classes finish with relaxation and breathing techniques specifically for pregnancy, labour and birth ensuring you leave the pool feeling blissed out and re-energised
The classes run in 8 week blocks and are bookable from any week as the classes are “rolling”. Each class covers a different theme. You can do as many blocks as you wish up until your due date however ensure you inform your instructor that you wish to continue. When you join you will also receive your complimentary online AquaBellies pack and tote bag.
These classes are suitable for women from 14 weeks of pregnancy right up until your due date. If you have any conditions that may affect your ability to participate please ensure you seek permission to attend from your medical professional.
+ Reduce swelling
+ Relieve aches and pains
+ Keep active during pregnancy and move around with ease in the water
+ Reduce pressure on joints
+ Enjoy the “floaty feeling” and take the weight off your feet
+ Bond with baby before they are born
+ Help to get baby into the optimum position for birth
+ An opportunity to meet other pregnant women in your area
+ Practice positions for water birth
+ Learn breathing and relaxation techniques for birth and beyond
These classes are a gentle introduction to the water for parent and baby. This is not a baby swimming class, but is a beautiful gentle mix of toning exercises in the water for mum with songs for baby. The aim of this class is to gently tone while using the therapeutic properties of the water as a bonding experience that will build mum’s confidence with baby together in the water. We do not do any activities that involve submerging you or baby.
These classes are run in set 4 week blocks. You can do as many blocks as you wish up until your baby is around 6 months old. If you or your baby have any conditions that may affect your ability to participate please ensure you seek permission to attend from your medical professional.
This class is suitable from 6 weeks postnatal until baby is approximately 6 months old.
+ Return to exercise in a gentle and safe way while spending time with your baby.
+ Reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression
+ Meet other new mum’s and babies in your area
+ Guidance and support to help you to adapt to lifestyle, physical and emotional changes
+ Gentle movements for baby in the water helps to tone babies muscles
+ Improve confidence with your little one in the pool
AquaMamas classes are 45 minute sessions in the swimming pool designed specifically for post natal women who want to spend some quality time focusing on themselves. Classes vary each week and involve a mix of cardiovascular exercises, games and activities, aqua circuits, aqua yoga and floating exercises. AquaMamas classes finish with relaxation and breathing techniques ensuring you leave the pool feeling blissed out and re-energised
The classes run in 6 week blocks and are bookable from any week as the classes are “rolling”. Each class covers a different theme. You can do as many blocks as you wish however ensure you inform your instructor that you wish to continue. When you join you will also receive your complimentary online AquaMamas pack and tote bag.
Classes are suitable for postnatal women from 6 weeks postpartum (longer if you have had a c-section). If you have any conditions that may affect your ability to participate please ensure you seek permission to attend from your medical professional.
+ Relieve aches and pains
+ Help to reduce blood pressure
+ Return to exercise in a gentle and safe way in the water
+ Reduce pressure on joints
+ Reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression
+ Enjoy some “me time” with other new mothers from your area
+ Guidance and support to help you to adapt to lifestyle, physically and emotionally
+ Learn breathing and relaxation techniques for birth and beyond
AquaBelles classes are a beautiful mix of energising and relaxing water based exercises for all women aged 16 and over (not suitable for pregnant and postnatal women). Classes last around 45 minutes and work on core strengthening, toning and aqua yoga postures. Not your average “keep fit” water based class, AquaBelles classes include yogic relaxation and breathing techniques allowing you to leave the pool feeling re-energised and empowered.
The classes run in 8 week blocks and are bookable from any week as the classes are “rolling”. Each class covers a different theme. You can do as many blocks as you wish up until your due date however ensure you inform your instructor that you wish to continue. When you join you will also receive your complimentary online AquaBelles pack and tote bag.
This class is suitable for all women over the age of 16 (please note that this class is not suitable for pregnant or postnatal women). If you have any conditions that may affect your ability to participate please ensure you seek permission to attend from your medical professional.
+ Relieve aches and pains and reduce pressure on joints
+ Helps to lower blood pressure
+ Reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression
+ Strengthen core muscles
+ Improve cardiovascular fitness
+ Increase muscle tone
+ An opportunity to meet other women in your area and have fun in a + relaxed environment
+ Improve wellbeing with floatation and relaxation techniques