Apple Yoga
Yoga is a system of physical, mental and spiritual development that is practiced by millions of people worldwide. It can be learnt by anyone irrespective of age, sex, culture or religion.

The word Yoga means to unite, the union of mind, body and spirit. Through its practises it brings about balance to all aspects to our being, when that occurs one can live in the world with heighten clarity and perception, an abundance of over flowing energy and a depth of peace.

Yoga is so much more than physical acrobatics and moving the body into strange positions. The postures of yoga do undoubtedly strengthen, tone and create flexibility in the body but this is just the gateway in to the vast potential that resides within each and every one of us.

The great thing about Yoga is that with each small step, the inspiration and enjoyment of learning about the body- mind will grow in leaps and bounds. People start to observe the changes after just one lesson and the inspiration, enjoyment and benefits begin to pour into every aspect of life.

Apple Yoga provides the highest quality Yoga tuition, from one-to-one sessions, to group classes and workshops, the range of courses on offer make it a suitable choice for all levels of ability, from beginners through to advance, all at realistic prices.

The Teacher
Katy Appleton is an ex- ballet dancer and has been practising and studying yoga for over 10 years. She has two yoga videos on the market Geri Yoga and Geri Body Yoga; and is the author of two books - "Introducing Yoga" and "Yoga in Practice".

Katy specialises in Yoga for Pregnancy, training with Birthlight under Francoise Barbira Freedman the founder of the organisation. Birthlight was founded in 1988 for ‘greater enjoyment of pregnancy, birth and babies’.

Yoga for Pregnancy
Yoga is the ideal exercise for pregnant women. It keeps the body supple without straining and can be used to relieve pain in labour and ease childbirth.

The yoga techniques help you to develop flexibility and strength in your body and deal with the many changes taking place both physically and emotionally. This helps the body and mind to be well prepared for pregnancy and birth. Yogic breathing connects you in advance with your birthing muscles, giving you confidence, especially if you are a first-time mother. Your pregnancy posture will improve, and this can allow a rapid recovery of muscle tone after the birth. Yoga increases the levels of energy, giving a sense of well being. The deep relaxation techniques taught can also help if you are having difficulty with sleep.

What the classes cover
Yoga for mid pregnancy (14-32 weeks)
Yoga for late pregnancy (32-40 weeks)
Pelvic floor exercises
Yogic breathing, birth breathing
Strengthening birthing muscles
All over strengthening
Loosening the hips
Useful birth positions
Deep Relaxation and Visualization techniques useful for pregnancy and labour

Yoga Birth Rehearsals
These sessions are designed to provide the pregnant woman and her birthing partner with a simple but complete yogic approach to the experience of late pregnancy, labour and birth. Women attend together with whoever they are planning to have with them during labour, including mothers and partners.

Topics covered include:
- physiological process of labour, teaching specific, simple and accessible yoga practices to assist at each stage.
- optimal foetal positioning and the value of posture in late pregnancy.
- mapping the bony pelvis which empowers the woman to understand her own body shape in preparation for birthing her baby.
- birthing positions.
- massage techniques for pregnancy and labour.
- mental and emotional preparedness for birth.
- breath and movement in labour for energy and pain management.
- physical and emotional support for the labouring woman.
- top tips for birthing partners.
- visualisation and relaxation techniques to promote gentle birth.
The workshop ends with a deep relaxation practice that assists in the integration of the techniques taught, and students receive information sheets covering the practices involved in the workshop. Following this there is an opportunity for discussion with any questions that may need to be answered over tea and biscuits.

The rehearsals offer practical skills to help you and your birth partner birth your baby:

- How will I know when I am / she is really in labour?
- How will I cope with pain?
- How can I help my partner cope with pain?
- How can my partner help?
- What birthing positions work best?
- How can we keep calm during the birth?

A yoga birth rehearsal offers answers to all these questions. The one-off session follows the progress of physiological birth.

It is a relaxed, effective way to learn practical coping skills for birth. At each stage of the birthing process, you learn simple breathing, movement, posture and visualisations to ease the birth of your baby. You also cover the positioning and experience of your baby during birth, the role of the supportive birthing partner, and birthing positions.

The session works best when the pregnant woman is accompanied by her birthing partner, because then the partner can learn practical pain relief techniques as well as the breathing and movements which the woman hopes to use during the birth.

Baby Yoga classes with Postnatal Yoga
Gentle exercise for babies, mums and dads
Baby Yoga is a combination of postnatal exercises for mums as well as touch and movement for babies, through mutual involvement. What are the benefits?
For mums:
- It helps you to develop physical play with your baby and confidence in handling and holding them.
- Helps mums to regain tone and shape and maintain a good posture whilst caring for baby.
- You will enjoy your baby more as you will feel rested and energised.
- For babies:
- It helps to prevent/soothe colic and associated crying.
- Helps to develop a well-functioning digestive system.
- Helps spinal development and good motor function.
- Promotes deep, peaceful sleep.

What the course covers:
- Suitable for babies from 0 months - crawling
- Strengthening and toning mums’ pelvic and abdominal regions
- Pelvic floor exercises
- Overall toning and strengthening
- Posture exercises
- Relaxation and deep rest together to compensate lack of sleep
- Baby holds
- Baby massage elements
- Playful exercises to aid babies’ physiological development
- Baby movement with song and rhymes

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What is a YogaBirth Teacher?
(Professional Association of Yoga & Childbirth Educators)

All existing YogaBirth teachers have completed a two year training with the Active Birth Teachers Training Course. This qualifies us to teach specialised yoga to pregnant women, postnatal yoga classes and Birth Preparation Courses. All teachers continue to attend professional study days on a regular basis. Some teachers have additional training in other areas of expertise such as midwifery, NCT, doulas, shiatsu, acupuncture, reiki and massage. Our work as YogaBirth teachers has evolved over more than 20 years of dedication to pregnant women.

About the Classes
YogaBirth teachers offer a regular weekly yoga class for pregnant women. The format of the class includes breathing, yoga, relaxation and ends with refreshments and discussion. The classes incorporate information relating to pregnancy and birth. The type of yoga that is taught is specifically for pregnant women and will help reduce the discomforts that can occur during pregnancy eg: backache, pelvic pain, carpal tunnel syndrome. The classes are suitable for women from 12 weeks of pregnancy onwards and can be continued right up until you give birth. They are suitable for all abilities. No previous experience of yoga is necessary.

These YogaBirth classes will cover postures, labour positions, pelvic floor exercises, relaxation, breath and visualisation techniques to aid the pregnancy and the birth. Women develop confidence in their body's ability to give birth. We will explore different positions to help in the pregnancy for 'Optimal fetal positioning'. As teachers we have become increasingly aware of the importance of encouraging the baby into an optimal position for labour. Adopting specific positions in late pregnancy can help get the baby into a good position in the pelvis. This is when baby's spine lies towards the mother's belly and often can lead to a less painful, shorter labour.

The weekly classes are supportive to pregnant women because 'they are not just an exercise' class but also offer a wealth of knowledge which will help to prepare you physically and emotionally for the transformation to parenthood. There is time in each class to talk and share your experiences and meet other pregnant women and make informed choices about childbirth and parenting.

Birth Preparation Workshops
Antenatal Classes

YogaBirth teachers run these courses in different ways and the best way of finding out about a course is to contact your nearest teacher directly. These workshops are for pregnant women and their birth partners. They are run at weekends and in the evenings. The workshops are to empower women to give birth with confidence, informed choice and knowledge. They also give the birth partner confidence in their positive role.

Usually in Birth Preparation Workshops or Courses the process of labour is explained and ways of coping with the pain of labour is explored. You are introduced to the different options of pain relief that are available whether you are having a homebirth or a hospital birth. Your Birth Partner gets an opportunity to experience what it may be like to be with a labouring woman, and any fears or anxieties can be explored. Some courses will also include breastfeeding preparation.

The Birth Preparation Workshops and Courses complement the yoga classes beautifully.

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