Yoga for Pregnancy and Beyond
Yoga is an ancient practice that encompasses physical, mental and spiritual elements by poses, concentration, and deep breathing. This ancient practice is alive and well at Our Journey Gym in Springfield, MA.
Kim Westbrook, Springfield native and certified yoga and Afro-flow teacher, led a class recently with a group of pregnant and postpartum mothers. Kim made posture adjustments to accommodate the pregnant bellies, altered centers of gravity, and stressed pelvic floor muscles. She explained the wisdom and history of yoga while she told funny stories and referred to the “hitchhikers” in our bellies. We stretched our hips, massaged our toes, and focused on our breath.
In pregnancy, yoga can improve sleep as well as reduce stress and anxiety. It also can increase our strength, flexibility and endurance for childbirth. Many pregnancy discomforts – like nausea, lower back pain, headaches and more – can be either reduced or eliminated with a regular yoga practice. For the months after the baby is born, yoga can offer the following benefits: restoring core muscles and pelvic health, healing or improving the abdominal muscles after some separation during pregnancy, building strength and stamina gradually, lowering blood pressure, and decreasing anxiety and/or depression.
There are many yoga classes that are offered virtually. But there is nothing like being in a room with other mothers or mothers to be, hearing their stories before and after class, laughing at how our bodies have changed, seeing that we are not alone in our joys and our challenges. Kim is a perfect leader for both the practice of yoga and the welcoming connection of a group.
Yoga is for everyone. There are not many forms of movement and exercise that are truly beneficial and possible for all age groups, body types, and lifestyles. Yoga classes can simultaneously be gentle enough for pregnant and aging bodies, challenging enough for athletic bodies, and simple enough for young children to follow. Kim’s classes are intended for anyone and everyone who is open to learning an ancient practice to enhance bodily and psychological health in the present.
Kim’s classes are every Sunday at 10:30 AM at the Our Journey Gym on Albany Street (please note that every 3rd Sunday of the month, there is a sound healing class instead of Kim’s yoga class). Please contact Our Journey Gym or feel free to email me to get in contact with Kim!