A one-off birth preparation session is offered either as a private option or as a class for small groups.  The session offers an approach to labour and birth using yoga as the focus.  The emphasis is on learning and practising practical techniques, which can help you through this exciting time and ease the birth of your baby/ies.  We will discuss the kind of birth you would like and how techniques such as deep relaxation, breathing, visualisation, chanting and postures can help with labour.  Birth partners are invited to attend and talk through how they can assist, to learn some of the basic techniques and to practise some massage to relieve tension during labour.  You will practise relaxation and simple mediation techniques to help you prepare mentally and emotionally for birth and the world of parenthood.

We will look at some frequently asked questions such as:

• How can yoga help me to cope with pain during labour?
• How can I stay calm/ help my partner stay calm?
• Which positions are helpful for labour?
• What are the stages of labour and what can I do to help myself / my partner in each stage?

Sessions are run by Nikkie Huddart, qualified yoga teacher and mother of three children.  Her first baby was born in hospital and her second two were born at home in a birth pool.  She found yoga to be of huge benefit throughout her pregnancies, births and with postnatal recovery.  At these sessions Nikkie will be accompanied by Rachel Beacham, who is a reflexologist and massage therapist.  She has a sensitive, caring approach, and teaches simple massage techniques for pregnancy and labour, as well as offering pregnant women a reflexology treatment!