Pregnancy Support

I offer support to all folk: those that are looking to be pregnant, are pregnant, had their babies very recently or a very long time ago.

Our journeys into pregnancy and parenthood may start a long time before conception or even before we begin thinking about having a baby. Our views on pregnancy and parenthood start very young and we bring all of this and our personal histories and families to each and every pregnancy.

Pregnancy can be a wonderfully glorious time for some and a not-so-wonderful time for others (and everything in between), for so many reasons. Whether that’s physical discomfort, extreme sickness, body dysmorphia, a feeling of disconnection - a lot may arise that we may or may not be prepared or aware of.

You may have experienced abortion, miscarriage, stillbirth and loss and these may also change the way that you experience your pregnancy.

There is no right or wrong way to be pregnant and each pregnancy that you have may be different to the other.

I am here to support you, week in and week out, of your pregnancy - and beyond.

I offer support in Pregnancy through:

Pregnancy Yoga

I offer in person Pregnancy Yoga in Sheffield.

There are many reasons as to why you may practice yoga whilst you are pregnant.

  • Emotional Support - yoga, somatic practices and mindfulness can help us become more attuned and aware of our bodies and emotions. We may be able to connect with ourselves in a way that we haven’t done before.

  • Reduces Stress and Anxiety - through breathwork, support, community, movement and rest.

  • Physical Support - Practicising pregnancy specific yoga throughout your pregnancy can help soothe aches and pains as well as strengthen more vulnerable areas and release areas of tension.

  • Movement for Birth - pregnancy yoga incorporates techniques, movement and tools to support birth - in every birth setting. At home and in hospital.

  • Relaxation - through yoga nidra and a quiet setting to help if sleep is evasive.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • I teach a pregnancy yoga class at Yoga at The Reach on a Sunday evening at 5.45-7pm and a Yoga for Motherhood Class at Grow Yoga at 3-4.15pm also on a Sunday. You can find more info here.

  • You can join these classes from day 1 of your pregnancy until you give birth. You do not have to wait until after the first trimester to join unless you want to.

  • My classes are very gentle but please do let me know of any complications you have ahead of class and speak to your doctor ahead of joining if you are concerned.

  • Absolutely. We have people that have been practicing yoga for many years and for whom this is their first experience. It’s a great way of getting into Yoga! Pregnancy Yoga classes are gentle - they are not a workout! We may lean into our strength at times, to feel our legs and feet in the floor. But pregnancy yoga is about releasing tension, being aware of the breath, becoming aware and attuned to the body and to your baby.

““I started Alex’s pregnancy yoga classes when I was 16 weeks pregnant, before Covid so I could come to the studio. I remember tentatively saying ‘I am just 16 weeks pregnant’. Alex picked up on this quickly and said something along the lines of ‘you are not just 16 weeks pregnant, you’ve been through the first trimester and you are so welcome’. Immediately I felt at ease, and this compassion and kindness was there throughout every session I did.

I was not a typical yoga person, I had never done more than one session in a row but pregnancy yoga with Alex was more than that. It was an opportunity to connect with other pregnant women, to take time for yourself and to be honest about the emotional side and whether you were left feeling exhausted or invigorated.

I was gutted when the studio had to close for Covid but continued with zoom sessions. I would never have continued yoga with just a youtube channel, these sessions were more than just a set of yoga poses. I also don’t particularly like zoom! However, throughout lockdown and my pregnancy Alex’s Sunday night sessions were a constant for me. In one session, I sent Alex an email afterwards staying: ‘I totally fell asleep at the end of the last session! Don’t think I quite appreciated how exhausted I was. I also wanted to thank you for always adapting the sessions so well to how we are feeling and what we need. I slept much better so will try to incorporate more of the hip strengthening exercises into my day because it seemed to work!’

I mentioned that the sessions were more than just a set of yoga poses. Each session involved a yoga nidra which for me was a highlight. A reminder to take time to look after yourself. Alex recorded a yoga nidra and I used this in the last weeks of pregnancy to help me sleep. I even used it during my early labour. I wrote to Alex saying ‘I’ve been listening to a few hypnobirthing scripts but for some reason the familiarity of your nidra and the fact that it relates to the yoga sessions and being a voice of someone I trust really helps.’

Honestly Alex, I know I’ve said it before but the pregnancy yoga classes were so important to me during my pregnancy. Thank you. Now to try to find time for post natal yoga!”
”
— Hilary, Pregnancy Yoga