1. After the birth, you will have a lot recuperating to do. Your body, mind and hormones have been working hard and there is a high chance that you will be completely exhausted. NURTURE can help balance those hormonal levels and allow you to relax deeply during a period when sleep, rest and free time are low;
2. Getting to know your new baby, while trying to adapt to the demands of motherhood, can be a difficult balancing act. In Ayurveda, a strong emphasis is placed on the 42 days, or 6-8 weeks after childbirth. This is one of the most significant periods of a woman’s life, and one which will impact greatly on your health in years to come. It is vital for mum and baby that BOTH are nourished during this period and NURTURE helps you do this, using ancient practices in an applicable and modern way to help your postnatal recovery;
3. In western culture, it is very easy to jump back into workouts and working, and fall prey to the hamster-wheel of running until we burn out. A new mum should take every opportunity to rest while baby is resting. Mum should rely heavily on her partner (if possible,) as well as other family members and the support of friends. We help you create and build this ‘village’ network, even if you are parenting alone or don’t currently have support;
4. NURTURE presents you with opportunity to nourish yourself postnatally in a way that todays community doesn’t allow. Women NEED self-care and time to recover from giving birth, no matter how your pregnancy and birth progressed.

Benefits for Baby

Smoothes transition from womb to the world;
Develops baby’s first language: touch;
Teaches positive loving touch;
Develops a feeling of being loved, respected and secure; Develops body, mind, awareness and coordination;
Can help to reduce the discomfort of colic, wind and constipation;
Helps to regulate and strengthen baby’s digestive and respiratory systems and stimulate circulatory and nervous systems;
Promotes relaxation;
Can help to reduce ‘fussiness’ and improve quality of sleep; Improves skin condition.

Benefits for Parents

Helps parent to understand baby’s non-verbal communication;
Enhances parent’s confidence and competence in dealing with baby;
Can help with postnatal depression;
Both parents and baby relax together;
Promotes lactation in breastfeeding mums (through stimulation of hormones)
Promotes nurturing instinct (through stimulation of hormone oxytocin)

*(From The Guild of Infant & Child Massage website, www.gicm.org.uk, 2005)

Our NURTURE by YogaBellies classes are launching in January 2020 and you can book through your local yogabellies teacher. We are so excited to welcome you into our amazing community of women NURTUREing and supporting other women.

To find your nearest YogaBellies class click here.

Massage mats, pillows and cosy blankets are provided as well a lovely bottle of organic, fractionated coconut oil which you can use to massage your baby. Wear comfortable clothes and bring / wear cosy socks too! Feel free to bring anything you need to feed, change or amuse your baby and some water for yourself to stay hydrated.

Our unique YogaBellies for Mum & Baby sessions incorporate traditional yoga asanas (postures) adapted for post partum mum and some for baby too. While most post natal yoga classes either focus soley on mum (with baby stuck in their buggy) or offer baby yoga alone (with no physical benefits for mum), YogaBellies for Mum & Baby combine BOTH post natal and baby yoga, to ensure both mum and baby leave the class feeling stretched, revived and relaxed. We use unique YogaBellies® baby touch therapies as well as beautiful songs, games and positive life building experiences for your baby teamed with core rebuilding and relaxation for mum. Baby yoga has also been scientifically proven to help with baby’s brain development, growth, self soothing and common ailments such as colic, reflux and disrupted sleep.

YogaBellies® classes are entirely unique and our class formula means that 86% of our class attendees have never set foot in a yoga class before. We make sure our classes are non-scary, non-threatening, welcoming and open to all levels of practitioner as YogaBellies classes are accessible to everyone. No experience necessary and no matter your birth experience, we can help you and baby safely and comfortably progress at your own pace.

Benefits for Mum:

Focus on rebuilding the abdominal muscles and the pelvic floor; Helps alleviate back and neck pain; Allows mum to regain strength and muscle tone at her own pace; Studies show decreased indcidence of post natal depression; Encourages mum and baby bonding and makes for baby’s enhanced social skills in future; Allows mum to heal and relax along with baby;

Benefits for Baby:

Nobody puts baby in the corner in our class Baby is fully integrated into mums yoga practice and life; Enhances baby’s immune system; Helps brain and nervous system development and growth;
Offers sensory stimulation but also enhanced relaxation leading to better sleeping patterns; Baby learns to self soothe and develops key relaxation techniques for the future

Our gorgeous YogaBellies for Mum & Baby classes last around an hour and involve yoga for mum, yoga for baby and some lovely deep relaxation together. Our Mum and Baby Yoga classes include yoga postures for mum AND for baby; this is not just ‘baby yoga.’ All of the postures can be practiced with or without your baby, depending on how you prefer to focus, and depending on how baby feels Sometimes our classes are quiet and sometimes there is crying. and that’s okay too. Sometimes the babies are full of fun and sometimes they just want to snuggle up to mummy and feed. The key thing to remember is that there is no pressure on you or baby and you can just take the class as your own pace. Suitable for all mamaes, our classes have a co-operative spirit of ‘give and take’, alternating yoga for babies, with yoga for mums and yoga together.

A typical session includes baby stretches to take small bodies through a full range of movement which often astonishes (and inspires) their mums including incorporating baby massage; breathing and focused yoga postures for the mums, and postures-for-two to give mums and babies new ways to relate to each other. For mummies, we focus on gently working the abdominal muscles, slowly getting mummy back to pre-baby shape and helping to build strength, stamina and fitness

We provide everything you need like mats and blocks etc, but feel free to bring your own. Please bring a drink for you and baby as its important for you both to keep hydrated. Socks for relaxation at the end are also a good idea as you will both cool down quickly.

For a ‘normal’ (we don’t like that word) birth, we recommend at least 6 weeks after the birth. If you have had a caesarean section, then we recommend 8-10 weeks. As always, the most important thing is to listen to your body, if you are in any pain or discomfort, just wait a few weeks During the class there is no pressure for you or baby to do anything that’s uncomfortable and there’s no need to have any yoga experience either. Our classes are suitable for all levels of yoga practice.

AquaMamas 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.

AquaMamas® classes are entirely unique and our class formula means that 86% of our class attendees have never set foot in a yoga class before. We make sure our classes are non-scary, non-threatening, welcoming.

+ 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

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.

To find your nearest AquaMamas class click here.

Be sure to contact your AquaMamas teacher in advance as our classes generally book up pretty quickly.

To find your nearest AquaMamas class click here.

We provide everything you need like woggles and props etc, but feel free to bring your own. Please bring a drink and suitable swimwear its important for you both to keep hydrated.

For a ‘normal’ (we don’t like that word) birth, we recommend at least 6 weeks after the birth. If you have had a caesarean section, then we recommend 8-10 weeks. As always, the most important thing is to listen to your body, if you are in any pain or discomfort, just wait a few weeks During the class there is no pressure for you or baby to do anything that’s uncomfortable and there’s no need to have any yoga experience either. Our classes are suitable for all levels of yoga practice.

We provide everything you need like mats and blocks etc, but feel free to bring your own. Please bring a drink for you and baby as its important for you both to keep hydrated. Socks for relaxation at the end are also a good idea as you will both cool down quickly.