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Anna Semlyen BWY Dip, MA PPE (Oxon), MSc Health Econ. Tel: 01904 654355, Email: anna@yogainyork.co.uk
Pregnancy Yoga

Yoga is recommended exercise from 14 weeks after conception. Keeping mobile through gentle stretching and breathing plus relaxing helps to prevent, or minimise pregnancy-related problems such as backache, sciatica, swollen limbs, constipation and insomnia.

"The classed really help my back. No problems since starting" Laura 20 weeks pregnant.

"Before starting yoga I was getting heart palpitations and shortness of breath. Now I think about my breathing alot more and the palpitations have stopped" Sarah 22 weeks pregnant.

I can be booked for private lessons on pregnancy yoga at £40 per hour or £175 for 5 hours. You are welcome to any of my yoga classes and I will modify postures to be suitable for pregnancy.

Classes aim to:

  • Improve the experience of pregnancy, birth and motherhood.

We learn:
  • How to stay comfortable as the body changes.
  • Pelvic floor exercises.
  • Breathing to control anxiety and pain.
  • Optimal foetal positioning for birth (baby's spine at mother's front).
  • Active labour positions.

Anna Semlyen is a mother. She has practiced yoga since 1991 and has taught it since 1996. Anna has benefited from In Service Training in 2004 with Gillian Russell (British Wheel of Yoga pregnancy module teacher). She has taught pregnancy yoga since 2005.

We encourage respect for our changing bodies, emotions and unborn children.

Mums to be receive handouts on:

  • Pregnancy yoga postures and advice on modifying postures for pregnancy.
  • Pelvic floor exercises.
  • The Gate Theory of Pain (ways to minimise pain).
  • TENS machine hire - £20 for 6 weeks from Anna Semlyen 654355
  • Ujjayi breathing.
  • Active birth postures.
  • Maternity care rights within the NHS and Changing Childbirth.
  • Pregnancy and new born services listing of York.
  • Baby whats on listing of York.

You are advised to wear loose, comfortable clothing and bring a warm blanket and yoga mat if you have one. There are 10 mats to loan out at class and many blocks. Eat only lightly in the hour before class (eg fruit). Drink water whenever you feel thirsty.

"I've really enjoyed all the classes and found them very relaxing. It has been so helpful to hear lots of advice about active birth positions, breast feeding etc. These finer details have not been covered at the parentcraft group at the Hospital. " Lisa Barry

"I had a spectacularly good birth. It made such a difference doing yoga. When I came home I immediately felt much stronger than with my first baby when I didn't exercise, especially my pelvic floor. My baby was well positioned. I felt good about being proactive and had a comforatable pregnancy thanks to yoga." Pamela Thorby

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Drawings: John Scott Ashtanga.