Yoga is such a treat for Mums to be.  Unfortunately as my schedule was so erratic during my pregnancy getting to a weekly class just wasn’t possible so I did the next best thing and bought an antenatal yoga DVD.  I really enjoyed including this gentle, leisurely paced exercise in my preparation for Cooper’s birth.  Yoga is all about strengthening the body and relaxing the mind and GentleBirth is all about strengthening the mind and relaxing the body – the perfect combination for a positive birth!

Many women including pregnant yoga teachers are now using yoga in conjunction with hypnosis to strengthen their bodies and minds in preparation for bringing a new life into the world.

My favourite part of my yoga time is always that beautiful last pose (Corpse Pose).  Time to enjoy a few short moments of peaceful relaxed bliss after the challenging stretches and poses just moments before. Your whole body quietens and even your brain waves slow down similar to the trance state experienced in hypnosis.  I once had a client who said GentleBirth is like that special last few minutes of yoga x 10 !!  I have to agree.  Just like yoga the more often you practice your self hypnosis and listen to your CDs the more you and your baby benefit.  With the GentleBirth program you can instantly experience those end of yoga class moments without the hard work before!
 
Hypnosis is a naturally occurring trance state through which everyone passes multiple times a day, but it’s a much deeper state than that experienced at the end of a yoga practice. Your GentleBirth teacher’s job is simply to facilitate as Mums access their subconscious mind and then guide them to achieving a calm, confident, positive birth.

Hypnosis and prenatal yoga are designed specifically to assist pregnancy and birthing during the body's many changes. Yoga strengthens the body, and hypnosis focuses on releasing the fear and focusing the mind.

GentleBirth classes teach expectant couples how to release their fears and tensions of birth from their conscious and subconscious minds by establishing a practice of simple relaxation and self hypnosis.  It is a well documented natural form of pain reduction with no side effects for mother or baby. It can shorten labour, reduces fatigue during the birth and promotes a more rapid postnatal recovery.  Other benefits are the integral role of your birth companion in facilitating the calmest most positive experience possible. In my experience Mums who compliment their yoga practice with GentleBirth can look forward to their baby’s birth with excited anticipation feeling physically, emotionally and mentally ready for the adventure of parenting ahead.