Postnatal Core & Care Wellness Yoga
Yoga for new mothers
In Brentwood, a Postnatal Core & Care Wellness yoga class has been set up to support mothers and babies, especially mothers struggling to adjust to life post birth. The weekly 60 minute session has provided much needed support following the new mums 10-12 week check ups.
Yoga sessions have gone beyond being a simple class built to improve balance and flexibility, and instead have become a space where mothers could engage in social connections and improve their mental wellbeing. Lack of energy and motivation was reported to be a barrier for many mothers so providing a class with a set time and place would give these mothers a purpose when reintroducing themselves to activity.
Active Essex funded the postnatal yoga sessions to allow participants to attend for free, helping engage those struggling in the current cost of living crisis and removing a significant barrier to physical activity.
Using yoga to reintroduce mothers to exercise has been highly successful as low energy levels means that any strenuous activities would cause too much fatigue and possible injury. Yoga allowed the participants to rebuild strength, stamina and confidence as well as building a trusting relationship with the instructor, Connie.
The classes also enabled the mothers to learn about the importance of rebuilding their pelvic floor muscles and good posture which will help them in the short and long term. Understanding the physiology of the female body was something Connie strived to teach, as this allowed participants to practice at home whilst caring for their newborn.
