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Alice Rawsthorne

Yoga and meditation can be a wonderful way to connect to your breath, your baby and your body during pregnancy. This comprehensive course is guided by yoga instructor Alice Rawsthorne, who is qualified in prenatal and postnatal yoga (certified by MOGA, a Yoga Alliance approved teacher training school specialising in pre & postnatal yoga). The focus of all of these classes is to increase mental and physical wellbeing, to support body and mind throughout pregnancy.

This course is for you if you're looking to...

- connect to your body and bond with your baby

- take some valuable Me Time

Read more

Yoga and meditation can be a wonderful way to connect to your breath, your baby and your body during pregnancy. This comprehensive course is guided by yoga instructor Alice Rawsthorne, who is qualified in prenatal and postnatal yoga (certified by MOGA, a Yoga Alliance approved teacher training school specialising in pre & postnatal yoga). The focus of all of these classes is to increase mental and physical wellbeing, to support body and mind throughout pregnancy.

This course is for you if you're looking to...

- connect to your body and bond with your baby

- take some valuable Me Time

- learn breathing techniques and movements to support you in pregnancy and labour

- find some inner strength and resilience

- enjoy some moments of calm

- relieve aches and pains

What's included in this course?

The course includes:

- Educational content tailored to each trimester

- Guided breathwork, meditation and yoga classes tailored to each stage of pregnancy

- A mantra meditations to cultivate more bravery and confidence during your pregnancy

The yoga classes in this course is suitable for pregnant people from 14 weeks into your pregnancy onwards, and includes variations for postures to suit your body. The meditations and breathwork sessions can be used throughout pregnancy. Please speak to your doctor or healthcare provider before taking part in physical activities during pregnancy.

What are the benefits of pregnancy yoga?

Prenatal yoga can help to:

- improve sleep

- reduce stress and anxiety

- increase strength, control and endurance of muscles needed for childbirth

- decrease lower back pain, headaches and shortness of breath

- release physical tension and achy muscles

- increase body awareness (a wonderful skill to use during pregnancy and labour)

- feel more connected to your body and your baby

Have any questions? Drop us a message on Instagram @pregnancyyogauk . See you in class soon.

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Breathing exercises to build breath-body connection, calm and inner strength
  • Yoga movements to support your prenatal body and mind, building physical and mental strength for pregnancy and labour
  • Mantra meditation to help you find strength, bravery and resilience
  • Calming breathwork and meditation classes
  • Tips and exercises for common aches and pains during pregnancy
  • 30 day moneyback guarantee
  • This course uses gender neutral language, so is suitable for all pregnant people

Syllabus

Introduction
Course Introduction
Waiver
First Trimester: 0-12 Weeks
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If you would like a physical reminder of the mantra used in this section of the course, download the printable card from the 'Resources' section here.

It is not recommended to take a yoga class until at least 6-8 weeks after birth. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to get in touch with me - I'm here to help!

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Career center

Learners who complete Pregnancy Yoga & Meditation for Trimester 1, 2 and 3 will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Prenatal Yoga Instructor
A Prenatal Yoga Instructor guides expectant parents through adapted yoga practices designed to support the unique physical and emotional changes of pregnancy. This role focuses on promoting strength, flexibility, comfort, and mental wellbeing throughout all trimesters. Learners are naturally drawn to this profession as this course provides comprehensive guidance in yoga movements tailored to the prenatal body and mind. It covers essential breathing techniques, meditation practices, and specific postures to alleviate common pregnancy aches and pains, directly aligning with the core responsibilities of a Prenatal Yoga Instructor. The course's detailed educational content on each trimester, pelvic floor health, and labor preparation is invaluable for building expertise.
Doula
A Doula provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to individuals before, during, and shortly after childbirth. This course may be exceptionally helpful for individuals aspiring to become a Doula. The course's deep dive into breathing techniques and movements to support pregnancy and labor, alongside strategies for finding inner strength and resilience, directly equip aspiring Doulas with tools to support birthing parents. Understanding common aches and pains, ways to relieve them, and the importance of body awareness, as extensively covered in the course, enhances a Doula's ability to offer comfort and guidance during the profound journey of childbirth.
Meditation Teacher
A Meditation Teacher guides individuals or groups in various meditation techniques, helping them cultivate mindfulness, reduce stress, and find inner calm. This course is an excellent starting point for aspiring Meditation Teachers, as it provides extensive experience with guided breathwork, calming meditation classes, and mantra meditation designed to build inner strength and resilience. The course's focus on connecting to one's body and finding moments of calm directly translates into the skills needed to effectively lead others in similar practices. Understanding how to tailor meditations for different stages, as demonstrated by the trimester-specific content, is a highly transferable skill for a Meditation Teacher.
Fitness Instructor specializing in Prenatal Postnatal Exercise
A Fitness Instructor specializing in Prenatal Postnatal Exercise designs and leads safe, effective exercise programs for individuals during pregnancy and after childbirth. This course is highly relevant for anyone wishing to become a Fitness Instructor specializing in Prenatal Postnatal Exercise. It provides practical experience with yoga movements tailored to each stage of pregnancy, improving strength, control, and endurance of muscles needed for childbirth. The course also addresses common aches and pains, offering exercises for hips and wrists and discussing diastasis recti, all of which are critical considerations for this specialized fitness role. The bonus postnatal yoga class further underscores its direct applicability.
Childbirth Educator
A Childbirth Educator prepares expectant parents for labor, birth, and the early postpartum period through comprehensive educational programs. This course is a strong foundation for those interested in becoming a Childbirth Educator. It provides educational content tailored to each trimester, including discussions on baby development, making a birth plan, healthy eating, vitamins during pregnancy, and pelvic floor health. The course also equips learners with knowledge of breathing techniques and movements that support labor, providing practical insights they can share. Understanding the mental and physical aspects of pregnancy, as covered in this course, is crucial for effectively educating and empowering future parents.
Mindfulness Practitioner
A Mindfulness Practitioner guides individuals in developing present-moment awareness and acceptance through various mindfulness techniques. This course offers valuable preparation for a Mindfulness Practitioner, particularly by extensively covering guided breathwork and meditation classes. The curriculum's emphasis on connecting to your breath, body, and baby, finding inner calm, and cultivating specific qualities like bravery and confidence through mantra meditation, directly aligns with the core tenets of mindfulness. The course helps learners understand how to apply these practices to manage stress and anxiety, build body awareness, and navigate significant life changes with greater presence.
Wellness Coach
A Wellness Coach partners with clients to achieve holistic health and lifestyle goals, often focusing on areas like stress management, physical activity, and emotional wellbeing. This course may be quite useful for an individual pursuing a career as a Wellness Coach, particularly one specializing in maternal health. The course emphasizes increasing mental and physical wellbeing, supporting body and mind throughout pregnancy, and learning techniques to reduce stress and anxiety. Its focus on self-care, building inner strength, and cultivating confidence aligns well with the coaching philosophy of empowering clients to make positive lifestyle changes and connect deeply with their own health journey.
Health Coach
A Health Coach empowers clients to achieve their health goals by guiding them through behavioral changes, often focusing on nutrition, exercise, and stress management. This course may be particularly useful for a Health Coach, especially one interested in maternal health. It provides educational content on healthy eating during pregnancy, vitamins, and the importance of physical activity. The course also teaches techniques to reduce stress and anxiety, improve sleep, and increase body awareness, all vital components of holistic health. Understanding these aspects of prenatal wellbeing, as presented in this course, can help a Health Coach better support clients through significant life stages.
Maternal Health Content Creator
A Maternal Health Content Creator develops and shares educational, inspiring, or supportive materials across various platforms for expectant and new parents. This course offers an excellent template and deep subject matter knowledge for anyone interested in becoming a Maternal Health Content Creator. The comprehensive structure, trimester-specific educational content, guided meditations, yoga sequences, and discussions on topics like birth plans, nutrition, and common pregnancy myths provide a wealth of material. Learners gain insight into effective ways to communicate complex health information and support emotional wellbeing, directly applicable to creating engaging and informative content for a parental audience.
Community Health Worker in Maternal Health
A Community Health Worker in Maternal Health educates and supports pregnant individuals and new parents, connecting them with health services and resources within their community. This course is highly relevant for aspiring Community Health Workers in Maternal Health. It provides comprehensive educational content tailored to each trimester, covering topics like healthy eating, vitamins during pregnancy, pelvic floor health, and labor preparation. The course also equips learners with an understanding of techniques for stress reduction, pain management, and fostering mental wellbeing, enabling them to offer practical advice and empathetic support to pregnant individuals navigating their health journey and seeking community resources efficiently.
Women's Health Physical Therapist
A Women's Health Physical Therapist specializes in diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal and neurological conditions affecting women, often focusing on pelvic health, prenatal, and postnatal care. While this role typically requires an advanced degree, this course may be a helpful foundational resource for those considering this path. It provides insights into pelvic floor health, common pregnancy aches and pains like hip and wrist discomfort, and conditions such as diastasis recti. Understanding the physical challenges and body awareness cultivated through pregnancy yoga and breathwork, as explored in this course, can deepen an aspiring Women's Health Physical Therapist's empathy and clinical perspective.
Massage Therapist specializing in Pregnancy
A Massage Therapist specializing in Pregnancy provides therapeutic massage adapted for expectant parents, helping to alleviate discomforts and promote relaxation. While specific massage training is required, this course may be very helpful for someone pursuing this specialized role. It provides a deep understanding of the pregnant body, including common aches and pains in the lower back, hips, and wrists, as well as the physiological changes during each trimester. This detailed knowledge of prenatal physical needs and discomforts, combined with an appreciation for the importance of relaxation and body awareness, would significantly enhance a Massage Therapist specializing in Pregnancy's ability to provide tailored and empathetic care.
Life Coach
A Life Coach partners with clients to help them clarify goals, identify obstacles, and develop strategies for achieving personal and professional success. This course may be helpful for an aspiring Life Coach, particularly in understanding how individuals navigate significant life transitions. The course's emphasis on finding inner strength and resilience, cultivating bravery and confidence through mantra meditation, and taking valuable 'Me Time' aligns with the personal development aspects often addressed in life coaching. While the course is specific to pregnancy, it fosters self-awareness and self-supportive practices that are broadly beneficial for any individual seeking to make life pivots or advance their personal journey.
Dietitian or Nutritionist specializing in Pregnancy
A Dietitian or Nutritionist specializing in Pregnancy provides expert guidance on dietary needs and healthy eating patterns for expectant parents to support maternal and fetal health. This role typically requires an advanced degree for Dietitian certification, but this course may be useful for understanding client needs. It includes educational segments on healthy eating during pregnancy, vitamins, and foods to avoid. This foundational knowledge provides contextual understanding of key nutritional considerations during pregnancy. An aspiring Dietitian or Nutritionist specializing in Pregnancy can leverage the course's insights into the holistic wellbeing concerns of pregnant individuals to offer more comprehensive and empathetic care.
Acupuncturist or Acupressure Practitioner
An Acupuncturist or Acupressure Practitioner uses traditional healing techniques to alleviate pain, reduce stress, and promote overall wellness by stimulating specific points on the body. This role typically requires extensive specialized training and licensure, but this course may be helpful in developing a deep understanding of the unique physical and emotional needs of pregnant individuals. The course's focus on relieving aches and pains, reducing stress and anxiety, and increasing body awareness through yoga and meditation aligns with the holistic goals of acupuncture and acupressure. This background can enhance an Acupuncturist or Acupressure Practitioner's ability to tailor treatments for pregnant clients.

Reading list

We've selected 50 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Pregnancy Yoga & Meditation for Trimester 1, 2 and 3.
Provides a broad and accessible introduction to the science and history of breathing, explaining its profound impact on health and well-being. It is an excellent starting point for anyone new to the topic, offering a strong foundation for understanding the importance of conscious breathing practices. This book is highly popular and well-regarded in contemporary discussions around breathwork.
Is widely considered a classic and an excellent starting point for anyone interested in mindfulness meditation. It provides clear, straightforward instructions and demystifies the practice, making it accessible regardless of religious background. It's particularly useful for beginners seeking a practical guide to establishing a meditation routine and understanding common challenges. This book is highly recommended for foundational knowledge.
Specifically designed for those new to mindfulness, this book serves as a gentle introduction to cultivating present moment awareness. It offers straightforward concepts and exercises, making it an excellent starting point before delving into more comprehensive texts.
Explores theSale Price: $27.99. Regular Price: $29.99. Savings: $2.00. explores how trauma affects the body and mind, and how various therapeutic approaches, including body-oriented therapies and mindfulness, can help in healing. While focused on trauma, it provides valuable insights into the physiological impact of stress and the importance of addressing the body in stress reduction.
A timeless classic by the renowned Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh, this book introduces the art of mindfulness in daily life through gentle anecdotes and practical exercises. It's considered a must-read for those seeking clarity and inner peace and is excellent for gaining a broad understanding.
This comprehensive guide offers a detailed, stage-by-stage approach to meditation practice, integrating traditional Buddhist teachings with modern scientific understanding. It's highly practical and provides clear instructions for deepening one's practice. is particularly useful for those seeking a structured path to advanced meditation and can serve as a textbook for dedicated practitioners.
Gabor Maté explores the profound connection between stress, emotional patterns, and physical illness. provides a deeper understanding of how unexpressed emotions and hidden stress can manifest as chronic conditions. It's a compelling read for those seeking to understand the long-term impacts of stress on the body.
A follow-up to The Oxygen Advantage, this book further explores the importance of functional breathing for overall health and well-being, offering practical exercises and strategies for improving breathing habits.
This workbook offers a wide array of clinically proven techniques for stress management and relaxation. It's a highly practical resource with exercises and tools that readers can immediately implement. It's valuable for both individual use and as a supplementary text in courses focusing on practical stress reduction strategies.
Authored by a pioneer in the field of secular mindfulness, this book provides practical insights and guidance for cultivating mindfulness in daily life. It's a highly accessible and transformative read, suitable for both beginners and experienced practitioners seeking to integrate mindfulness beyond formal meditation.
Offers a wide range of breathwork techniques, drawing from various traditions and applications. It serves as a practical guide for incorporating breathwork into daily life for personal development and improved performance in different areas. It is considered one of the best overall intros to the world of breathwork.
A classic text in the yoga tradition, this book provides in-depth instruction on Pranayama, the yogic science of breath control. It is essential reading for anyone interested in the philosophical and technical roots of breathwork in yoga. This foundational text for understanding traditional breath practices.
A classic text on mindfulness by the renowned Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh. offers gentle teachings and practices for cultivating mindfulness in simple daily activities, emphasizing that peace can be found in the present moment regardless of external circumstances. It's a foundational text for understanding the application of mindfulness beyond formal meditation.
Offers a structured 28-day program for establishing a meditation practice, focusing on mindfulness and loving-kindness. It provides daily guidance and practical tips for beginners. This book is excellent for those looking for a step-by-step program to build a consistent meditation habit.
A highly regarded workbook based on cognitive therapy, this book helps readers identify and modify distorted thinking patterns that contribute to negative emotions, including stress and anxiety. It provides structured exercises and forms to guide users through the process of changing their thinking and improving their mood.
Is geared towards healthcare professionals and yoga practitioners, offering a science-based approach to therapeutic breathwork. It is valuable for those looking to integrate breathwork into clinical or therapeutic settings.
Provides simple yet effective breathing techniques for managing stress, anxiety, and other emotional imbalances. It is well-suited for individuals seeking practical tools for self-regulation and improved mental health through breathwork.
As the title suggests, this book provides practical guidance and a variety of techniques for using breathwork to address common modern ailments like stress and anxiety. It useful resource for those looking for actionable breath practices.
Written by a psychologist and a neuroscientist, this book explores the latest scientific research on the effects of meditation on the brain and body. It provides an evidence-based perspective on the transformative potential of long-term practice. is excellent for those interested in the scientific underpinnings of meditation and its impact.
This widely popular book explores the concept of living in the present moment as a path to spiritual enlightenment. While not solely focused on traditional meditation techniques, it provides a strong philosophical basis for understanding the mind and the importance of presence, which is central to meditation. It's accessible to a broad audience and can complement meditation practice.
Combines insights from neuroscience, mindfulness, and positive psychology to help readers understand and change their responses to stress. It delves into the concept of neuroplasticity and offers practical tools for building resilience. It's particularly useful for those interested in the brain's role in stress and how to leverage this understanding for better management.
This workbook provides evidence-based exercises rooted in CBT principles to help individuals manage negative thoughts, anxiety, and stress. It's a practical, hands-on resource that allows readers to actively apply CBT techniques to improve their mental well-being. It can be used independently or as a supplement to therapy.
This accessible guide from a respected Buddhist teacher offers practical advice and encouragement for starting and maintaining a meditation practice. It addresses common challenges and emphasizes self-compassion. It's a supportive resource for beginners and those seeking a warm, encouraging approach.
In this book, Thich Nhat Hanh teaches how to transform suffering into joy and peace through mindfulness. It offers practical guidance on embracing and working with difficulties, providing a deeper understanding of mindfulness as a tool for navigating life's challenges.
Authored by the co-founder of the popular Headspace app, this book provides a modern and approachable guide to meditation and mindfulness. It offers practical techniques and relatable anecdotes, making it easy for beginners to get started. good companion to digital meditation resources.
Delves into the nature of consciousness and how to live in the present moment by observing thoughts and emotions without getting entangled. While not a step-by-step meditation guide, it offers profound insights that can deepen one's understanding of the meditative process and lead to greater inner freedom.
Offers a comprehensive and accessible approach to breathwork, emphasizing the connection between breath and overall well-being. It includes practical exercises and explores the anatomy and mechanics of breathing.
Details the Wim Hof Method, which combines breathing exercises, cold exposure, and mindset. It is highly relevant for those interested in the physical and mental resilience aspects of breathwork and its potential to influence the immune system.
Specifically addresses the phenomenon of burnout, particularly in women, and provides a science-backed plan to complete the stress cycle and prevent burnout. It delves into the physiological and emotional aspects of chronic stress and offers practical strategies for recovery and resilience.
Introduces Holotropic Breathwork, a powerful technique for accessing non-ordinary states of consciousness for healing and self-discovery. It is relevant for those interested in the therapeutic and psychological applications of breathwork.
Drawing on neuroscience and psychology, this book offers practical tools for rewiring the brain to promote positive emotional states and resilience. It provides actionable techniques for counteracting the brain's negativity bias and building inner strengths, which can significantly aid in stress management.
This practical guide offers a structured eight-week program based on Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), which has proven effective for managing stress and preventing relapse in depression. It combines research-backed techniques with exercises, making it a useful resource for developing a consistent practice and deepening understanding.
Joseph Goldstein, a key figure in the Vipassana (insight) meditation tradition, offers a comprehensive guide to the four foundations of mindfulness. is excellent for those who want to deepen their understanding of classical mindfulness teachings and their practical application.
Focuses on the practice of Metta, or loving-kindness meditation, a key component of many Buddhist traditions. It offers guidance on cultivating compassion and friendliness towards oneself and others. This book is valuable for expanding one's meditation practice beyond mindfulness and developing emotional well-being.
Bridges the gap between neuroscience and contemplative practice, explaining how mindfulness and other practices can change the brain for greater well-being. It's an excellent resource for those interested in the scientific basis of mindfulness and offers practical tools and exercises.
Explores the use of breathwork in trauma release and emotional healing, introducing the BioDynamic Breathwork and Trauma Release System. It is relevant for those interested in the therapeutic applications of breathwork for trauma.
Explores Buddhist philosophy and meditation through the lens of modern psychology and evolutionary biology. It argues that Buddhist principles are supported by scientific understanding of the mind. This book is valuable for those interested in the intersection of meditation, science, and philosophy.
Pema Chödrön, an American Tibetan Buddhist nun, offers compassionate and practical advice for navigating difficult times using mindfulness and Buddhist principles. provides valuable insights into working with challenging emotions and circumstances with greater presence and acceptance.
Provides an overview of the Vipassana meditation technique as taught in the tradition of S. N. Goenka. It explains the principles and practice of observing sensations in the body to develop insight into the nature of reality. It's a good resource for those interested in this specific, widely practiced form of meditation.
Delves into the concept of prana (life energy) and provides detailed explanations and practices of various pranayama techniques from the yoga tradition. It valuable resource for those wanting to deepen their understanding of the energy aspect of breathwork.
Explores the principles of Buddhist psychology and their relevance to mindfulness and emotional well-being. It weaves together traditional teachings with Western psychological insights. It's valuable for deepening the understanding of the psychological dimensions of meditation practice.
Challenges the conventional view of stress by arguing that our mindset about stress significantly impacts its effects. It presents research suggesting that viewing stress as a challenge rather than a threat can lead to greater resilience and well-being. It offers a reframing of stress that can be empowering for individuals.
Bridges the gap between ancient yogic practices and modern scientific understanding of breath. It offers a practical guide to various breathing techniques with explanations of their physiological effects.
Focuses on breathwork for physical performance, resilience, and mental toughness. It is particularly relevant for athletes, military personnel, or anyone interested in optimizing their physical and mental capabilities through breathing.
A foundational text in conscious breathing, this book explores how breath awareness and control can lead to greater health, reduced stress, and personal growth. It offers a holistic perspective on the power of breath.
Jon Kabat-Zinn explores the transformative potential of mindfulness in personal and collective well-being in this comprehensive book. It delves into how engaging our senses through mindfulness can lead to a deeper connection with ourselves and the world.
A classic text that delves into the core principles and practices of Buddhist meditation, particularly mindfulness (Satipatthana). It provides a detailed and scholarly exploration of the subject. is suitable for those seeking a deeper understanding of the traditional Buddhist foundations of meditation.
Explores the potential of conscious breathing to improve various aspects of life, including health, performance, and personal development. It offers insights and practices for harnessing the power of breath.

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