Have any unfit people done pregnancy yoga?

[weeblueberry]

I'm having a think about doing a yoga class to help with breathing etc but am incredibly unfit. I'm not sure if the class will just be full of yummy mummys who all did yoga before and know what they're doing.

I did but it was from a DVD in the privacy of my own home! Was a very unfit size 18 but thanks to a combination of exercise and a good diet managed to put only 9lb on during pregnancy.

The DVD was The complete pregnancy workout from Amazon - it has yoga, Pilates and aerobics in a set of 3.

I am epically unfit and I am doing pregnancy yoga. Everyone is really nice and not judgy as far as I can tell. Try it and see it you feel good afterwards. Also try not to imagine what anyone else is thinking, none of them are fussed by what you can & can't do, I promise.

Thank you! I am torn because I like the idea of meeting people at a class but am pretty self conscious. I'm a size 14 but have never really done yoga or anything like that so might be terrible at it.

Size 14? Honestly if I managed it at size 18 you'll be fine. My muscles ached like mad for a few weeks but it passed :)

I'm going to do it and I'm an unfit size 14. You certainly won't be the only one.

Meee! Not only was I unfit I am so incredibly UN-bendy! Also I'd tried yoga pre-pregnancy several times and pretty much always left crying because I was so rubbish at it and got really upset by the (imagined I'm sure) looks I got from the uber bendy people...

I've been going for 5 weeks now (I'm 22weeks pregnant - I think it's only recommended 12weeks+) and really enjoying it. We don't do anything that would give away fitness levels (or lack of), it's all breathing, pelvic floor exercises, lying down, relaxing, more relaxing, more breathing, ooh and some stretching! It probably varies btw classes but I wrote to the teacher before hand to warn her how crap I was, and she was really lovely. She assured me that previous yoga experience wasn't necessary.

Crucially, yoga really helps, I am able to relax and do exercises that really help with the (back, leg, neck) pain I am getting...

Also, I live in a very lefty yummy mummy type place but don't find those in my class judgy at all. They're really nice, though all talk is about pregnancy do's and don't's and I get bored easily...but that's a whole other story!

Good luck!x

Hello all,

On the subject of yoga - I've been doing it quite regularly (sorry!) and stopped around Christmas time, for no other reason than being busy. Had been meaning to start up again, since moving to a new area, but then found out recently I'm pregnant (only 5 and a half weeks, really hoping and praying everything goes smoothly). Wondering whether to hold off joining a class until I'm safely into second trimester after 12 week scan? No idea if I'd really even be allowed to join a pregnancy yoga class considering it's so early on (and no one knows!) and similarly feel it's unwise to join a regular class like I used to do.... how soon did you all join pregnancy yoga classes?

Hi weeblueberry. I've practised yoga for years but am now doing pregnancy yoga classes (I'm 23 weeks). It's quite different. Everyone in the class is at such different stages in their pregnancy and suffering from different aches and pains (heartburn, sore hips, pelvic pain, sore back, tight shoulders...) that almost everything we do comes with variations to try.

There's no such thing as fit or unfit in my classes because a) it's not that strenuous and not that kind of yoga, so no-one can tell the difference and b) half the class are out of breath just by walking into the room . It's all really welcoming. Plus, lots of us are on our first pregnancy so any previous yoga experience is irrelevant in the face of our changing bodies and daily new challenges. I'd say go for it. Definitely don't be intimidated. Also, I'm a 12 on top and 14 on the bottom and that's with frequent yoga practise for years!

expectingwriter There's lots of conflicting advice. If you're been doing it regularly lots of people say it's fine to continue but, and it's a big but, you need to make sure your teacher knows your pregnant. Deep twists, any inversions and backbends are all off the table in your first trimester. For me, this meant that I didn't feel there was a point in going to my old classes because I was opting out of so much! Most studios don't recommend you start pregnancy yoga until 12/13 weeks either so I'd say rest up, give your body a break, and join a class as you enter your 2nd trimester.

thanks so much lorelei353 - i feel really out of it doing no exercise - I actually went for a short run the day after I took my pregnanct test, but have since held off. But I'm determined to keep up with exercise once that 12 week scan comes around (I'm so anxious waiting for it, time is going so slowly) - in the meantime, it's walking, walking everywhere!

I really missed yoga when I first got pregnant. Well, that's a lie. From weeks 6-10 I really didn't miss it because I was too nauseous and tired to go. Then just as I was feeling better it was Christmas! By the time I started pregnancy yoga I was 18 weeks and couldn't wait! Two classes a weeks since then.

Thank you so much everyone - I think I'm going to take the plunge and sign up for a class. If it helps this sore back and helps with breathing during birth I don't mind being a wee bit embarassed.

I did pregnancy yoga and am incredibly unfit - I have been to probably 4 exercise classes in my life and the gym less than a dozen times. i prefer to drink wine and eat chips. Pregnancy yoga wasnt anything like the yoga i saw on Geri H's DVD back in the day. It was basically sitting and breathing in different positions. Trust me - no fitness needed. Was all about relaxing.

It was a tiny bit odd as it wasn't really my 'scene' - and felt a tad silly. But was very relaxing and we were all in the same boat.

I teach pregnancy yoga in north London and can confirm that you don't need to be fit to attend classes. We do postures and breathing exercises that you don't practice in a normal yoga class so you shouldn't worry about lack of experience. Classes are aimed at dealing with yoga ailments - backache, insomnia, cramp, pelvic pain, the dread piles... as well as breathing exercises and simple meditation to relive anxiety and equip you with tools for labour. It's also a great way to meet women in your area who are having babies at the same time: their support can be invaluable in the first few months of becoming a mum. Most classes offer time to chat/moan/ask questions & a healthy slab of relaxation at the end. Hope you give it a try.

So now I've had a look and there doesn't seem to be anything in Edinburgh that fits my criteria. . It needs to be out with work hours and not in the centre of town which seems to be the norm. Grrr... I'm determined to find one now!

expectingwriter my experience was that in the first trimester I was often completely exhausted and had to fit exercise in whenever I was feeling more energetic, which wouldn't have fit in with a weekly commitment at a particular time. I was keen to sign up for yoga then but I'm glad I left it until the second trimester.

weeblueberry, I'm Edinburgh based too and could have written your post myself! I'm also looking for a class outside the centre of town and am very unfit! I've found a couple so far - whereabouts are you?

I am 37 weeks, size 14, very unfit, always hated yoga however started doing it at 35 weeks as I didn't enjoy labour last time so now I am clutching at any straws to make it bearable with #2. Really enjoying it so far. Obviously am a big elephant at 37 weeks..... But the yoga I am going to seems more about the relaxing rather than crazy stretches or anything. Enjoy!

sparklytoes I'm near The Fort shopping centre so was looking for something in either East Lothian or Edinburgh South. Where are the ones you've found if you don't mind me asking?

Yoga is a great idea during pregnancy.
Just make sure you'll be gentle to yourself. I recently discovered a great website, with hundreds of yoga videos that you can watch (PRACTICE) online from the privacy and comfort of your own home. Great expert teachers, great locations and best of all many prenatal and postnatal yoga classes. I wish I had access to this site when I was pregnant. I feel so pleased with this service that I wrote a blog post about it highlighting the main features: www.nipnoos.com/UK/look-good-feel-great-with-online-yoga/
(PS - One month membership = the price of one hour at the gym)

I did it with dc1 and managed to twist my knee. Hobbled home in tears and never went back again.

Thanks so much SweetAlice - I'll look at lunchtime.

And Chao that sounds rough!! It does sound like your teacher was a bit rubbish though - don't think you're meant to twist quite that much!

I've been considering pregnancy yoga, but I'm now 34 weeks. Is it too late for me to start me to get any benefit from it?

It's totally worth doing yoga even if only for the lovely relaxing lie down you get to do at the end of it