Wellness in Pregnancy - Pregnancy Massage

In Ayurvedic health, massage is essential to balance our doshas (our body/mind constitution). Oil massage starts by giving baby massage to newborns and continues throughout life as part of our daily routine. In Ayurveda we use different oils depending on what effect we would like. Every part of the body is being massaged with care and appreciation. To apply oil is also called Snehana which can be translated as Love.

Pregnancy massage is a great way to keep you body balanced and your skin moisturised and elastic. Receiving a massage can help relax you physically, mentally and emotionally. It may relieve back, neck and shoulder aches and help oedema. Apply oil throughout pregnancy but massage only after the first trimester.

Blissful Body

You and your partner may want to think of paying special attention to specific areas to support your changing body, prepare for birth and post pregnancy.
Belly - Massage very gently. Think of it as your baby’s first massage! Either massage in clockwise circles respecting the digestive system’s elimination. Or massage/stroke from your sides towards your belly button - bringing attention and awareness into your center.
Breasts - Many women, pregnant or not, do not pay much physical attention to our breasts. They are strapped into bras often underwired and they do not have much space for movement. Our breasts are part of our circulation and lymph system. Massage encourages circulation and lymph flow. Circulation, including the lymphatic, is encouraged by our muscles (think of our calf muscles helping the lymph and circulation both from our legs to our heart) however our breasts do not have much movement and massage is a way to encourage stimulation and discourage stagnation. Massage using gentle kneading and circular movements.
Perineum - From week 32-34 you and your partner can support the elasticity of the perineum. Use a very oily oil. Wheatgerm is good as it contains plenty of vitamin E which benefits the skin’s elasticity. Start by massaging the perineum gently with plenty of oil. First a couple of times a week and then gradually increase it to a daily massage. After a few weeks start massaging the inside of your vagina. Very gently start stretching the skin just inside. Experiment by using either a thumb or the index and middle finger making U shaped movement towards the perineum and then start stretching the skin. As with everything else in life be aware of what feels comfortable and don’t go anywhere that feels uncomfortable or painful.

What oils to choose

The best oils to use are vegetable oils preferable grown organically. There are plenty of inexpensive good quality cold-pressed organic oils in the health food shops so find an oil which feels nice on your skin and has a smell you like. There are specific Pregnancy oil but do have a look at the ingredients list before choosing. The same goes for baby oils which are often mineral based with no real benefits to the skin. Obviously take into account any sensitivities or allergies you may have.

• Oils to calm a restless and anxious Vata mind include: Sesame oil (cold pressed and cured if possible).
• If you are hot and irritable in mind or body (Pitta) use cooling and calming oils such as coconut and olive oils.
• Or use lighter oils such sunflower or safflower to relieve congestion and heaviness associated with Kapha.

Embrace your changing body and enjoy your massages.
If you have any medical conditions, allergies or have specific health issues you may want to talk to your health consultant before your massage.

Pregnancy Yoga classes starting soon

Pre-natal yoga classes for Mothers-To-Be...

I am delighted to offer yoga classes to South London's pregnant women!

Pregnancy is a time of growth and transformation. Becoming a mother is an exciting development in a woman’s life. Yoga is a tool that can benefit the expectant mother to embrace this time. Yoga is a way of living mindfully and consciously and going to a Pregnancy Yoga Class may help to feel more aware of the changes in one’s physical body as well as the emotional changes. Ailments such as back ache and shortness of breath may benefit from from practising yoga.

Practising yoga during your pregnancy may benefit you in many ways.
Enhance strength and fitness

Yoga is a great way of bringing awareness to your body while gaining physical body strength and better stamina

Improve balance, posture and stability
Being mindfull of how we use our body we will explore safe ways to find our centre of gravity as it changes with the growth of baby. A good posture can alleviate many aches and pains such as lower back ache and sciatica as well as breathlessness.
Relieve emotional stress and anxiety
With the awareness of breath we connect our physical body and mental/emotional state.
Yoga gives us a positive attitude as we explore how our body moves and accommodates for a growing baby.
Learning breathing exercises helps us to relax and is also a great tool for birthing.

The instructions and sequences will be different at every class. Classes are inspiring and safe with attention to correct alignment, flowing movements and exploring the physical body and breath (pranayama).Classes include a final relaxation and some meditation.
Traditional yogic scriptures, ayurvedic knowledge and contemporary spiritual texts inspires the creative sequencing of the class to challenge your mind as well as your body!
Options of modifications and variationsof postures are given during the class to suit both new yogis and more experienced. Everyone is different and we all have individual challenges in our practice.
The classes are open to women who have never practised yoga before as well as experienced yoginis!
Come and be prepared to move, sweat a little, stretch and relax!

About Anja:
“I love yoga - yoga is a transformational tool, a way of living with grace, love and inspiration. It is more than a physical workout, more than becoming flexible and strong. It is about how we can live our life in a positive way. I wish to bring these ancient, but more than ever relevant, teachings into the class.”
Anja first encountered yoga in her native Denmark in the late 1990s and from then on continued to practise and study various styles of yoga. Living in London she has studied and trained in the capital and her interest has brought her to India and America for further studies. She is currently studying for her PGDip in Ayurveda while teaching yoga in classes, privately and to a charity.

Streatham Classes:
Tuesdays and Thursdays 8pm - 9.20pm (Vinyasa Flow) £10
Tuesdays 6.30pm-7.40pm (Pregnancy Yoga - starts 13th April) £10
Thursdays 6.30pm-7.45pm (Slow Flow Yoga - starts 15th April) £10
Capoeira School (above Barclays Bank)
136 Streatham High Road, Streatham
SW16 1HD (entrance on Woodbourne Avenue)

Clapham Classes and Clinic:
Mondays 10am - 11.15am (Vinyasa Flow - starts 12th of April)
Ayurveda Clinic, Tuesdays (see www.yogaembodied.com for details)
Tulip Yoga Studio
3b, 9 Park Hill
Clapham SW4 9NS

For more information contact Anja:
07963820702

www.yogaembodied.com
info@yogaembodied.com