active birth yoga course

Suzanne Swan is a certified Yoga for Pregnancy and Active Birth Educator and teaches all the Active Birth Yoga classes and workshops at yogababy.

"A strong intention, relaxed body and an open mind are the main ingredients for an Active Birth. It is the way a woman behaves when she is following her own instincts and the physiological logic of her body" Janet Balaskas

Active birth yoga classes are gentle, safe and beneficial for you and your growing baby. Along with practicing yoga postures and breathing exercises that prepare you for your birth, the course explores topics that will increase your potential of achieving an Active Birth. You will practice classical yoga sequences throughout each class.

You can start the active birth yoga course at any stage in your pregnancy. It is recommended to commence the course in the later part of your 2nd trimester. However, you can commence at anytime. Even just a few classes will guide you towards a more confident and empowering birth experience. Depending on availability, you can start mid-way through a course and/or finish up when your baby is due.

Womb meditation
Relaxation skills
Releasing fears
Optimal foetal positioning
Visualisation in labour
Breathing in labour
Vocalisation in labour
First stage Active Birth positions
Second stage birthing positions
Baby bonding

Please note there are places available for women birthing before the end of the course, you can attend up until you birth (37 to 42 weeks).

Often women will return to share their positive birth experiences. Educational handouts with home practices are also included with every class.

Our experience has shown that an Active Birth includes the participation of the birthing woman's partner. As well as booking into the yoga course for you, your birthing partner will be required to attend an Active Birth workshop with you. The best time to attend an Active Birth Workshop is between 32 and 38 weeks.

"I particularly liked the focus on our partners for the full day workshop and the lead up with just the mums for the weekly active birth yoga classes. The lessons I learnt about natural birth through Yogababy were invaluable for me during labour. The most inspiring thing I learnt was the techniques of slow breaths and sound vibrations during each contraction to manage sensations and keep control. I went on to use this technique for my whole labour and went on to achieve the natural, drug-free birth I was hoping for." - Susannah

You can choose between a short Saturday class covering the basics of massage, relaxation, breathing and birthing positions or an all day Sunday class

"Thank you for the pregnancy and active birth yoga courses! My husband and I used all the postures and the songs you taught us during the classes to control breathing and achieve a drug free vaginal birth. After 20 hours (8 of which were established labour) I delivered a healthy 8lb baby boy. Due to the empowerment you helped me feel during my first ever pregnancy and labour experience, I found myself approaching parent hood with confidence and strength. Suzanne you truly have a gift for enabling women to trust their bodies. Thank you a thousand times over!" Past Student

Venue and time details can be viewed on our shop calender by clicking on the icon below.