Pregnancy Yoga and/or mediation retreat???

[Queazy]

Hi,

This may be many people's idea of hell but...have any of you seen or been to a pregnancy yoga or meditation retreat? I really fancy trying one. I've been scouring the Internet but have only found one or two that are either more than 2-3 days (I need a long weekend) or are in sunny, far off places (beyond the budget!). Thanks so much xx

Hi Queazy,

I went on a yoga retreat in Fuerteventura in March. It was amazing. And fairly cheap (in fact the Guardian wrote it up as being one of the best value retreats and that was why we booked it 0 that and the great reviews). Flights were about £100 return and the weather was gorgeous.

They last a week (Wednesday to Wednesday for the one I did on the beach) but they're really flexible and you could stay elsewhere and just join in the yoga for however long you have. It's not specifically pregnancy yoga but the instructor had trained with a midwife and when I went at about 25 weeks (i was large for my dates) i had no problems and felt so much better at the end of it.

www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2013/jan/04/20-best-beach-bargain-holidays-2013

www.azulfit.com/lotusyogalodge.cfm

It's two sessions per day - beach yoga before breakfast and evening yoga on the roof of a villa. I would definitely recommend a retreat in general. It's made me much more confident with my yoga throughout my pregnancy.

I'm not sure if there are similar places in the UK though...

Have fun!

Thanks so much - I'm going to have a look now. I really appreciate it x

Not sure about pregnancy specific retreats, but I'd really recommend mamaheaven for when you've had the baby. I'll come back and let you know if I come across any preg stuff, if not, as posey recommends, just go on a regular one with a really good teacher, and let them know how pregnant you'll be beforehand. Gaia house is brilliant for meditation retreats, they definitely do a yoga retreat too which will be very gentle and meditative. Enjoy!

Also - have a look at uma dinsmore-tulli's womb yoga stuff - she is a serious pregnancy yoga expert, but now runs retreats for all women whatever stage of life/fertility they are at. A really gentle, celebratory practice, with chanting and yoga nidra and probably quite a bit on menstruation (and possibly the menopause) - might not be your thing but if it is, she is great!

I second Uma. I did a yoga for pregnancy teacher training course with her 18 months ago and it was amazing and has helped me through this pregnancy so much.

Also I did the Sivananda retreat at Gaunts House last summer. I had literally just found out I was pregnant so did my own practice while the classes were on but still did the meditations / satsangs / walks / workshops etc. Gaunts House is also beautiful.