Prenatal and Postnatal Yoga teacher training are gaining a lot of momentum as many families are realizing how this benefits the baby while its in the womb and how it creates a bond between mom and child afterwards. As the benefits of yoga continue to become more well known, families are now wanting to teach this beautiful art to their children before and right after they are born. Many parents now realize the benefits of instilling great health habits at an early age including the baby stage. If you are interested in becoming a yoga teacher and want to go the route of a prenatal and postnatal yoga teacher training, now is a great time to study this style of yoga as the demand continues to grow.
Prenatal Yoga and Postnatal Yoga are not yoga styles but rather methods for teaching pregnant women and women who have recently had babies, respectively. Prenatal Yoga has been taught in the US since the 1960s, whereas Postnatal Yoga is a newer form of yoga. The principles behind this teaching is to help the mother stay flexible and fit while at the same time creating a stronger bond between the baby and mother. Many expecting parents are turning to PreNatal and Postnatal yoga because they are many studies that now show a tremendous and positive health (physical, mental, and spiritual) benefits.
Prenatal Yoga and Postnatal Yoga are designed specifically for women who are having or have recently had babies. The yoga practice is based around a women’s needs as well as the babies and takes into accounts both the mom and child state of being and health. It is specifically crafted to fit their needs so that the mother can stay limber and the expected child or newborn can start to experience health, fitness, and a connection with his or her parents.
Many larger yoga studios offer Prenatal and Postnatal teacher trainings by a visiting instructor, regardless of the studio’s style. But as more families become aware of the health benefits and value of practicing yoga while pregnant or right after, more studios will start to offer Prenatal and Postnatal yoga on a regular basis. If you are considering taking a PreNatal or PostNatal yoga teacher training, now is a good time to get in and establish yourself in this approach to yoga.
Prenatal Yoga is now one of the top health recommendations by OB-GYNs for their pregnant patients, and has created a serious need for certified PreNatal instructors. Postnatal Yoga, interestingly enough, has exploded in the Yoga DVD market; after all, toting a new baby to a yoga class may not always be the most convenient thing. But now that the yoga community has grown and become more family oriented, the yoga community is very encouraging of prenatal and postnatal yoga.
While there are not too many well known teachers yet, some of the more well known yoga teachers within the prenatal and postnatal yoga genre include Francoise Barbira Freedman, Sandra Jordan, and Geetaji Iyengar.
Many larger yoga studios offer PreNatal and PostNatal yoga teacher trainings by a visiting instructor, regardless of the studio’s style.
Most PreNatal and PostNatal Yoga certification programs are continuing education (CE) courses and require trainees to have a 200-hr yoga teacher training certification in the style of their choice and yoga training experience. Some trainings focus on PreNatal, others on PostNatal, and others on both, and most yoga teacher trainings are conducted over the span of a few days. Unlike a Bikram or Anusara yoga teacher training program, this is not as rigorous and grueling. However, it does require a lot more sensitivity and patience because of the gentle approach that is needed both physically and emotionally. Teaching prenatal and postnatal yoga is not just about the asanas with the parents and baby, it is also about the emotional state of both the parent and child.
If you are considering taking a prenatal or postnatal yoga teacher training, expect an in-depth study of pregnancy and birth, ideally with pregnant students to practice teach on. Many asanas are contraindicated for different trimesters of pregnancy and post-pregnancy, and a would-be yoga trainee should be prepared to take this seriously. PreNatal and PostNatal yoga instructors must be extremely knowledgeable and responsible in order to safely teach their students and their students’ babies. Although this is a growing segment of yoga, it should not be taken lightly. A student would need to have some solid education in anatomy that goes above and beyond what most yoga teacher trainings require. And while although mainly women are teaching prenatal and postnatal yoga, some men have taken this road as well. Teaching prenatal and postnatal yoga is more of an intention based mindset in where you are helping to facilitate a bond, assist a mother with her health needs, and guide a newborn into this world.
Bumps in Motion: Pregnancy Yoga Sequences from Around the World
A creative and unique book with over 17 prenatal yoga sequences featured by some famous teachers from around the world! This fully illustrated book offers step-by-step instructions on how to create a prenatal yoga class; make your own Mandalas; learn chanting with Mantras and Mudras; gemstone therapy, and much more! Foreword written by world-renowned pregnancy and birth expert, Dr. Elliot Berlin!
Author and Creator, Patricia A. Anaya, considered one of Los Angeles’ premier Birth Doula and pre/post-natal yoga instructor. Visit Patricia’s website https://www.serenitybirth.com/.
This is a valuable book for Yoga Teacher Trainings and moms-to-be!
Available now, worldwide, on Amazon, in eBook and paperback.
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