Prenatal Yoga

In my previous Yoga Update, I mentioned that I was going to try out a class at Ashtanga Richmond. Well, I really liked that class. The two classes are very different from one another.

The one that I attended originally (was located at Yoga Source but is now in a different location) uses a lot of props. We each have 2 blankets, a bolster, 2 blocks and sometimes a strap. For several of the poses, we have to get everything in place before we can do the pose. This class is run by a company called OmMama. They are in the process of opening a standalone prenatal/postpartum fitness and education center in the fall that will be near my house. I'll be able to take Peanut to the Itsy Bitsy Yoga classes. Check out this book.

The new one at Ashtanga Richmond uses only the yoga mat. It's quite different. We don't do the full Ashtanga series but we definitely are doing modified poses. She has us squatting and staying in that position for what seems like an eternity (and other poses that are not easy but will help us to stay strong throughout pregnancy).

In the end, I like each of them for different reasons. The OmMama class although easier still gives me a workout and makes me feel good after. We all go around the room at the beginning of class and give an update on how far along we are and any issues we're having (i.e. swelling, backaches, etc). The instructor usually tailors the class to those issues to help us understand things we can do at home to help alleviate them. For the Ashtanga class, I like that it's more of a workout. I feel like I'm strengthening myself. That will be good for the labor part as well as getting back in shape afterwards.

Yoga Update

I have now been to the Yoga Source prenatal yoga class twice. I can definitely tell that it helps with opening up my abdomen area. The weekend before the class last week, I was feeling scrunched up. After the class, I felt taller and much more comfortable.

I am also going to try out a class at the Ashtanga studio. I won't be able to fit that into my schedule until next week. The one issue with that class is that it's at 5:30pm in Carytown. That's 25 minutes from work and I have to have time to change. That means I have to leave work by 4:45pm at the latest. That's a little early but I'm going to check out the class and then make a decision. I'll give another Yoga Update after that class next week.

Yoga

I'm excited about Tuesday. It'll be my first pre-natal yoga class. If I like the class, I'll continue it up until the baby's here. Part of it is as expected, they modify the moves for pregnant women. But, there's also a time at the beginning (or end, I can't remember what the brochure said), where we'll get together to discus things that are changing (there's lots of them!). Also, when someones due date gets close, a birthing buddy is assigned. No, that person does not assist!! She contacts the new mom after the delivery to find out how things went and comes back to the group to give everyone the news. Since the new mom won't be back in the class, it's a great way of bring closure to each person's time in the class. Then, after the baby's 3 or 4 weeks old, there's post-natal yoga where the Mom and the baby go together. I'll definitely be checking that out as well.

Yoga

This week has been interesting for yoga. On Thursday, I was going to my normal ashtanga class that's held in my work gym. But, it seems that the teacher is on vacation for 2 weeks. So, there was a plyometrics class instead. Unless you're MTH, you're probably asking "What is plyometrics?" as I was. Well, it's this workout that involves a lot of jumping. Here's the definition from Wikipedia:

Plyometrics is a type of exercise that uses explosive movements to develop muscular power. It may be used, for example, to improve the effectiveness of a boxer's punch, or to quicken the vertical jumping ability of a volleyball player.

It was very hard while doing it and then on Friday and Saturday, I was very sore!! It was hard to sit down and then get back up.

My next try at yoga was this morning. The interesting part is that MTH went with me. It was an open class which means that the instructor works on what the class wants. So, there wasn't a "flow" like there is in ashtanga but I did learn some new moves. I really enjoyed it and I think that MTH did as well.