Q: When should I start Prenatal Yoga classes?

A: You may start as soon as you feel ready. The classes and poses are suitable for all stages of pregnancy. Sometimes moms are feeling too tired or sick in the first 8-12 weeks to come to class, others start as soon as they find out they have conceived. The sooner a woman starts, the more time she has to prepare her body, mind and heart for her journey through pregnancy and birth. The yoga practice taught is a mindfulness-based practice, offering women the time, space and opportunity to let daily stresses go and focus on their breath, their baby and the movement of their body. Ideally, moms will have begun their yoga classes by 12-16 weeks, but if not, it's never too late. Even 3rd trimester moms are welcome to begin a prenatal yoga program. If you are experiencing any abnormal bleeding, pain, or have other medical concerns at any time during your pregnancy you should check with your doctor or midwife before beginning any exercise program.

Q: How late in pregnancy can I continue Prenatal Yoga classes?

A: Women can take prenatal yoga up until the day they deliver. Changes and modifications in their practice come as they progress through their pregnancy, and the instructors will help with this. Some moms have even been in yoga class in early labor! You will use what you have learned in class during your labor. Some moms come back saying that what they learned in yoga class was what they called upon for patience, breath, relaxation, and pain coping during their labor.

Q: Do I need to register for yoga classes or can I just show up?

A: There are two different class formats offered at Harmony Birth Resources. Any class with "Drop-In" in the title is open to anyone to drop-in/just show up, without prior registration. Please note the map and directions on our site (other mapping sites have bad data on our area) and plan to arrive a few minutes early, if possible, your first time. Just let the instructor know if it is your first yoga class at Harmony, and she will give you the appropriate intake card and take your payment. Any class which indicates it is a "Session" runs for several consecutive weeks on certain calendar dates and requires advance registration. The drop-in classes are on-going, however, occasionally they are cancelled due to major holidays or instructor illness, so if you are unsure, please check the class page on the website for any special notices.

Q: I've never done yoga before. Is that OK?

A: Most of the women coming to Prenatal Yoga are new to yoga and having their first taste of it and it’s benefits, you will fit right in! This is a beginning level class which can be adapted for those who do have yoga experience, so no yoga experience is necessary. Pregnancy is a wonderful time to try yoga, since it is so easily adapted to the needs of pregnancy and has so many benefits for you and your baby.

Q: What is the difference between the Prenatal Drop-In and Prenatal Whole Birth Yoga classes?

A: The yoga portion of both classes is about the same, and varies in style from one instructor to the next. The Whole Birth classes also have an additional 45 minutes or so for discussion & sharing amongst the expectant moms.

The Whole Birth Yoga instructor brings topics, or a question arises from the class regarding the experiences and decisions women are having throughout the pregnancy -- topics like what classes to take, doctor or midwife recommendations, or preparing for birth or motherhood.

For this reason, the Whole Birth classes also run in a 6 week session, rather than as drop-in, to promote comfort and bonding within the group. In the session format you join and pay for 6 consecutive calendar weeks at a time, or, if the session is already in progress but is not full, women are more than welcome to join and pay for the remainder of the session.

The Drop-In format tends to work better for women with unpredictable schedules, since drop-in classes require no advance commitment and classes are marked off of a Drop-In package only when you attend. Whole Birth sessions are a commitment for a certain day and time over a specific set of weeks, so this format works best for women who like the group format as a chance to connect more with other expectant moms, make friends, and ask questions, and for whom the commitment will reinforce their motivation to attend each week. Most women who like this format continue in Whole Birth sessions throughout their pregnancy.

Many women register for one Whole Birth session, and then attend Drop-In classes other times throughout the week in order to get more than just one day of exercise per week if they can.

Q: What do I need to bring, and what should I wear to a yoga class?

A: Women should come dressed in comfortable clothes that allow freedom of movement (knit shorts, sweatpants and t-shirts or stretchy leggings/exercise pants and tank tops). Moms will be sitting on the floor and moving and stretching, so comfort and freedom of movement are important.

Bolsters, straps and blocks are all provided by Harmony. Some yoga mats are available for use, but if you have your own mat, please feel free to bring it. It is important to stay hydrated in pregnancy, especially during expercise. Harmony has bottled water available for $1, or you should bring a bottle of water for yourself.

Please avoid perfumes or scented lotions when coming to yoga class, as pregnant moms have a more sensitive nose.

Q: How much do the yoga classes cost? If I don't use up my classes before I have the baby, can I use them afterwards for postpartum classes?

A: Drop-in is $17, if you would like to pay for one class at a time. We also have class packages available: 5 classes for $80; and 10 classes for $150. You can use them up whenever you like, and can apply them to any drop-in class, including Mom & Baby Drop-In, New Mom's Drop-In, Mom & Baby Pilates, etc even after the birth of your babe. Sessions are $96.00 for the 6-week session and advanced registration is required as these classes are routinely full.

Q: When can I start Mom & Baby Yoga or Pilates?

A: Moms with an uncomplicated vaginal birth may begin as soon as their bleeding has stopped and they feel ready (please check with your doctor or midwife if you are unsure). Moms who gave birth by cesarean should wait at least 6 weeks and be medically cleared for exercise before beginning. Mom & Baby is a gentle exercise class and can be modified to suit individual needs. Babies are welcome until they start crawling circles around you--after that you may find it difficult to get much yoga done! Mom & Baby Yoga involves asana with and without babies as well as music, sharing and dance with the babies!

Q: When can I start other postpartum exercise classes, like New Mom’s Yoga, Mama Pilates, or Awakening the Inner Woman?

A: Please wait at least 6 weeks postpartum before beginning any of these exercise classes, until you feel ready and have been medically cleared for exercise.

Full Yoga Class Schedule