Gone are the days when pregnant women were told not to exercise, but what is a pregnant lady who wants to stay fit to do? One good choice is prenatal yoga! I admit, I don’t regularly practice yoga, prenatal or otherwise, so I contacted yoga guru Mimi Mears of Breathe Yoga (based out of both Frisco and Dallas). She has spent her career working with expecting women and every time that I have doula-ed one of her yoga moms, they seemed so ready for birth. I knew Mimi would be the perfect person to teach me (and my readers) a thing or two!
What is the difference between prenatal yoga and regular yoga?
So many differences! The physical and emotional needs pregnant women have are different than other women. During pregnancy, women’s physical bodies change shape, their breathing is affected and their hormones go through tremendous shifts. All the yoga postures we do in prenatal yoga are adapted to the changing needs of a pregnant woman and are carefully chosen to help alleviate common complaints like lower back pain, sciatica symptoms, swelling, digestive issues, difficulty sleeping, etc. We strengthen the legs, arms and shoulders and prepare the abdominal and pelvic floor muscles for labor as well as to reduce recovery time as we anticipate taking care of a newborn. We use simple breathing and sounding techniques every week that moms can use during labor. We share our hopes and fears every week, and process the concerns expressed in class. The sense of community is amazing!
Most of the postures/flow in regular yoga classes are simply not relevant to preparing for birth and some postures – like full forward bends, deep twists, or postures on the back, are even dangerous for mom and baby. It bothers me when women are told that they can continue taking regular yoga and just skip postures that they can’t do or that are contraindicated in pregnancy. They may be told “Do what feels right”, but how the heck do they know what that means?
Why should expecting women consider yoga?
I believe that yoga is a unique activity in pregnancy that can prepare moms not only physically but also, and perhaps more importantly, mentally and emotionally. Yoga is much more about the mind than it is about the body. The postures make us more comfortable in the body, but it is the breath and mental work that are transformative. Yoga is the science of happiness. It gives us tools to face the challenges of pregnancy and motherhood with grace. It teaches us to harness the power of our mind in a positive manner. Women are very nervous about their pregnancy, especially in this society where pregnancy is treated as a “dangerous disease” and birth is represented in the media as a terrible, horrifying experience. It is such a joy to see women come to my classes at 12 weeks of pregnancy and share that they are afraid, then see them slowly build their confidence in their body, in their strength, and to see them become calmer and empowered as they prepare for their birth.
Do you offer yoga for new moms as well?
Absolutely! My youngest student was 11 days old and babies usually graduate class at around 8 to 12 months (when they get so mobile that mom has to run after them for most of the class time). There are many classes for babies, but our classes are unique as they are mom and bonding centered: we focus on mom’s physical and emotional recovery as well as mom’s natural connection with her baby. one of my students wrote about the Mommy and Me yoga class:
“The support from the class during the postpartum period goes much further than the physical practice. It meets the woman where she is at, realistically, during this phase. It lifts her up, gives her a place to reconnect with her needs while drawing awareness to her body and, her being. It also gives a playful outlet to create special memories with her baby.”
What is your favorite part of your job?
I love to meet pregnant women in their early 2nd trimester and gently encourage them to take ownership of their pregnancy. We are lucky to live in an area where women have access to hospital, birth center, or home birth options. However I find that many women do not know about their choices or are not well educated about them during early pregnancy and then feel it is “too late” to consider all their options later. As a popular prenatal yoga instructor with my professional background, I have a unique opportunity to quickly share a wealth of information early in pregnancy and provide a supportive, non-judgmental community where women can go through their prenatal journey together.
What advice would you give expecting women?
You will only have the experience of pregnancy a few times in your lifetime. It is worth slowing down and really investing in being physically, mentally, and emotionally prepared for your birth. I believe that women should put as much energy and research in their pregnancy as they might toward preparing for a wedding, choosing a place to live or a career. The birth of their baby is something that they will remember for the rest of their life. It is my wish for them to look back on it and feel like they were empowered. If they can make their pregnancy and birth a priority by doing things like prenatal yoga, having a doula and researching their options – it will be one of the best investments they will ever make. (note from Maria – I promise I did not tell her to plug doulas!)
So Mimi, how did you get into yoga?
I tried some yoga early in college while still living in my home country of Belgium. At the time I hated it. I was stiff, clumsy and had a terrible time slowing down and meditating. I decided yoga was not for me and went back to step classes and weight lifting. A few years later I moved to the US and it was a stressful time. The exercise I had been doing felt too intense, so I tried yoga again. This time I realized that yoga wasn’t just about flexibility, putting your body in difficult postures or sitting crossed legged for a long period of time and instead I found that gentle, consistent yoga helped me function better physically and emotionally. A year into taking yoga, my teacher started hinting that I “was very good at it” and I should teach. By the time I moved to Dallas in 1997, I was teaching yoga full time.
Tell me about Breathe Yoga. What type of classes do offer?
I offer private group and prenatal yoga classes, partner prenatal date nights and yoga to support childbirth workshops as well as Mommy and Me yoga and baby massage instruction. I also offer private prenatal coaching, where I combine my expertise as a childbirth educator, massage therapist and retired doula to tailor the best preparation my students can have.
Thank You Mimi, that was all awesome info! I am not even pregnant and I want to sign up for prenatal yoga right now! Here is all Mimi’s contact info. She holds classes in Dallas and Frisco and also offers private sessions.
(972) 998 – YOGA (9642)
Mimi has graciously offered a special for our readers. She tells me she never puts out specials like this, so I feel very honored and hope some of you from the Dallas, Frisco and surrounding areas will find your way into her practice! Use the code HAPPYNEWMAMA to receive 20% off her private prenatal or baby massage sessions….and enjoy!