For mothers-to-be there’s a lot of questions when it comes to having a baby.
Especially when it comes to the toll it will take on your body.
But, a unique yoga class at covenant children’s hospital aims to help with that.
“We focus on what their body needs for delivery. Do a lot of poses that are going to open up those hips, make them flexible and prepare them for that,” said Val Jordan, the instructor for the class.
Techniques that Sarah Valles says helped her with her first child.
“I was at like an eight before we even went to the hospital because I was able to regulate breathing and pain much better,” said Valles.
But as any new parent can tell you, once the baby is here everything changes.
“It was a little bit stressful just because everything as a first time mom…..is a little bit stressful,” said Valles.
That’s why this yoga class doesn’t end after child birth.
After a six-week break, mom’s can bring their babies and exercise together.
“Then they actually become part of the yoga practice. We can pick them up. We do poses with them in our arms or we can get down on the mat and play with them on the mat,” said Jordan.
“It was fun to get some exercise without having to pay to have someone to watch your child, to get some exercise in an environment the incorporates children and welcomes them,” said Valles.
Jordan says the class is designed to increase both mom and baby’s flexibility through a series of different movements.
Plus another perk to being in a class full of moms in your exact situation, “Everyone lives here and everyone is from here. So, new moms can point each other to resources that they’ve found. So, yes they come for this physical practice but they leave with a community and I think that is the best part,” said Jordan.
The cost for each class is $5.
Prenatal Yoga is held on Tuesdays at 9:00am and Wednesday at 6:00pm.
Mommy and Me Baby: Meets Tuesdays at 10:30 am. For moms with babies 6 weeks post through crawling stage.
Mommy and Me Toddler: Mondays at 1:30pm. For moms with toddlers and older.
All classes are held on the 5th floor classroom at Covenant Women’s and Children’s
For more information: womensservices@stjoe.org or 725-6667