What have your experiences been like w/ prenatal yoga classes?

ktpaladino · January 2012

So I tried out my first prenatal yoga class last week and thought a few of the poses were challenging, but most of it was just a lot of sitting and stretching. Being a dancer, I was a little disappointed at the level and pace of the class when I am used to some more rigorous classes. I know that prenatal has to be more gentle and careful, but we didn't do any standing poses at all. We also spent 10 minutes at the end of class laying on our sides with a bolster between our legs and covered in a blanket. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed it and found it relaxing but I go more for the fitness aspect than the relaxation aspect. I know also that it was only one class so I have not given it a fair chance yet, but I am deciding whether or not to purchase classes now, as the first trial class is the only free one. Can any of you share your experiences with me? Do you think I should purchase 5 classes to start and give it more of a chance? I'm not saying a want a crazy ridiculously hard class while preggers b/c I def don't want to do anything that would harm the baby, but I guess I just would have liked more variety? Any feedback would be very helpful. Thanks guys!

JG362009 · January 2012

Yes!! I thought my prenatal yoga class was the lamest thing ever and I would always have to run before or after because it felt like I did not get a workout at all. I love some of the strengthening yoga poses but we hardly did any of that. At first the teacher just said we wouldnt lie on our backs or do any crazy inversions but we hardly did any challenging poses and my class did not change( in difficulty level) at all in 6 weeks. It definitely turned me off to prenatal yoga and I used to teach yoga so I thought I'd definitely like it. It honestly felt like a waste of time for me.

HappyMommy28 · January 2012

I did a couple yoga DVD's at home. While they weren't super challenging, they were challenging enough -especially with a big ol' belly! lol

nabum · January 2012

how far along are you? I went to my first prenatal yoga class at ~ 15w. I didn't find it nearly challenging enough at that point. Rest assured, I started attending again ~27w and it was a whole different experience. It wasn't necessarily a workout as much as it was an opportunity to stretch and work out muscle groups that were aching or tense from pregnancy. If you're looking for more of a workout perhaps you should try attending regular yoga classes (not hot yoga) and asking the instructor for modifications?

JG362009 · January 2012

nabum:
how far along are you? I went to my first prenatal yoga class at ~ 15w. I didn't find it nearly challenging enough at that point. Rest assured, I started attending again ~27w and it was a whole different experience. It wasn't necessarily a workout as much as it was an opportunity to stretch and work out muscle groups that were aching or tense from pregnancy. If you're looking for more of a workout perhaps you should try attending regular yoga classes (not hot yoga) and asking the instructor for modifications?

Sorry I'm butting in, but this was my experience: I started prenatal yoga around 30 weeks and the class ran through about 36 weeks. It was lamesauce the entire time. I do get headaches doing a normal yoga class though (hot or flow -- if it's too warm or too inverted I get a massive headache during pregnancy). I know enough yoga to do my own stuff during pregnancy, but I seriously need more of a workout than what any prenatal yoga class could offer me, I think. I don't want to relax unless I've worked hard, and we rarely did any strengthening or challenging poses during my PN class. I'm just with the OP -- I don't think PN yoga is a work out at all no matter the stage in pregnancy.

COmommy0f2 · January 2012

Yoga to me is not much of workout preggo or not. The strengthening aspect is great, which we do some in my prenatal class, def not as much as in a regular yoga class. Though I guess I went in with lower expectations and really am going for the social aspect, and to get out of the house a bit as I am a stay at home mom. When I am not preggo I run, but I just can't keep my heartrate low enough so I have been walking my miles most days.

I would say go enjoy your self but just have your expectations in check, that it is not going to be a workout all in itself.

mrsblueeyes · January 2012

I didn't do yoga regulary prior to my last pregnancy, I also felt it wasn't much of workout I just preferred running or some other more intensive cardio. That being said I really enjoyed prenatal yoga. I didn't exactly feel like it made me more physical fit, but it was a time to relax and focus on me and my baby. Have fun with it.

HopingForOne · January 2012

I didn't like mine. I found that my belly kept getting in the way of the moves they wanted me to do...in my opinion, if you call it "prenatal yoga" then you should be doing moves that, duh, a pregnant woman can actually manage.

vszapp · January 2012

I have had a great experience. I used to do Ashtanga and other more rigorous classes pre-pregnancy. I don't expect prenantal yoga to be a great workout (I still jog and do elliptical) but it is great for stretching things out and relaxing. I do believe it can also have a lot of other benefits, like stimulating the immune system.

Maybe you need to search for another class that is a bit more your style? My prenatal class is actually not that mild - we still do pushups, lots of warrior poses, etc. At 33 weeks I am huffing and puffing!

hole412 · January 2012

I am really into mine... I consider myself to be very into fitness also, but I go more for the whole experience.... for a more traditional workout walk on the treadmill, do squats/lunges, and lift light weights... however, my prenatal yoga is much more than that..... it is a spiritual and relaxing time for me to connect with my baby and with other expectant mothers... also I totally agree that as I progress in the pregnancy "( i'm now 24 wks and hav e been doing prenatal yoga since wk 11) the moves really help to alleviate the pains of pregnancy..... good luck

WhitMN24 · January 2012

Search around for other teachers/classes. I don't think you should buy more classes since you clearly didn't enjoy it. I take and teach vinyasa prenatal classes which are quite vigorous; within our flows, we hold warrior, triangle, and extended side angle for long periods of time, do push-ups, and wall sits.

JFH2010 · January 2012

I love mine. I did yoga beforehand as well and never expected it to be the same kind of "workout" as jogging or other cardio. The strength poses are challenging, but there are also poses to prepare you for birth (eg Bradley squats, pelvic floor toning) and lots of moves that stretch things out as your body adapts to its new shape. For me PN yoga significantly improved my back pain, which I only learned when I stopped going over the holidays and my back started hurting all the time. Lastly, the relaxation aspect is good for you and the baby. I personally love the savasana at the end, but obviously it's not a cardio workout! If you're not feeling it, you're not feeling it, but it's possible you'll get more out of it as your pregnancy progresses.

RebeccaS6627 · January 2012

I actually took my first PN yoga class this weekend. I have not taken many yoga classes, and I usually lift weights and run on the elliptical machine for exercise. I had a really positive experience at the class. I didn't take the class for a cardio workout-I took it more because I am stressed out and tense from sitting at a desk all week. It really helped me stretch and relax, which is what I hoped it would do.

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