West Island Prenatal Yoga

Yoga is an excellent way to "train" for the marathon oflabor and motherhood. Practicing Yoga in pregnancy helps to strengthenand stretch muscles, release tension and maintain good posture.Prenatal yoga also teaches you to relax on command and keep a positiveoutlook while clearing the mind of the stresses associated withpregnancy and motherhood.

Many students find that the deep abdominal breathing,practiced and emphasized throughout the classes is one of the thingsthat really helped them during the delivery.

Enjoy the opportunity to share such a wonderful eventwith other women who can relate to your own experiences.

6-week course 90$: Series of 6 classes

When can I begin attending class?

Classes are open to pregnant women in all stages of pregnancy. Often, women who start at the beginning of the 2nd trimester are able to continue very close to their due date. It is sometimes recommended that women take it easy the first 12 weeks of their pregnancy and allow their body that time to become accustomed to the changes of pregnancy, however, those who feel comfortable or who have been practicing yoga previously can commence earlier. Beginners are welcome, no previous yoga experience is required.

Classes are Monday nights at 6:15 and Thursdaymornings at 9:30
Please note that the Thursday morning classused to be held at 11:30 but as of January 2012 it is at 9:30 AM

Explore birthing stories from some ofIlluminart's Prenatal Yoga students

West Island Prenatal Yoga Testimonials:

"I have been telling everyone how your course has affected my life insuch a positive way. As I am sure I have told you, it is the first timein 32 years that I have finally been able to unwind, catch my breathand just "be". I thank you for this, I hope you have a session that Iwill be able to join in after giving birth - I would really like tocontinue and be committed to yoga."

“I was having so much back pain I didn’t know what to do, I asked myDr. and he recommended physiotherapy but I didn’t want to do that. Istarted taking your prenatal yoga classes and after only 2 classes myback pain completely disappeared and stayed away. I continued with theclasses and I only had a little bit of discomfort sometimes at night.”

"I feel much more relaxed and more in shape than with my firstpregnancy."

"I like the fact that every class was different and that the exerciseskept on changing. It kept it interesting and fun."

Feeling great after every class! I have benefitted by learning newpostures that I can do at home. I think that the class is awesome andthe number of attendees shows how much we appreciate you! Your tone ofvoice is also very soothing and relaxing. I enjoy spending time withother pregnant moms even if it's more spiritual time rather thanchatting time."

"I have benefited by gaining more strength, flexibility and puttingtime aside for yoga! I found the space comfortable and inviting. Likedthe pace of the sessions, liked it very much, thank-you!"

"The class was a motivation for me to exercise more and to remember todo Kegels. I benefitted from the relaxation and stretching and theclass left me feeling calm for the rest of the week."

"I really enjoyed your class, the energy is great and your teachingstyle is wonderful! I will continue to recommend your class to mypregnant friends."

"I've enjoyed coming to the prenatal yoga classes. I am more flexibleand am maintaining my flexibility. I feel better after doing yoga, myaches disappear and my breathing is easier."

"The class has provided me with a safe, form of exercise duringpregnancy and a great way to stretch and relax. I think the yoga willdefinitely be a great benefit during delivery."

"I have benefited alot from the stretching work and the meditation, thebreath keeps me focused I feel completely reenergizedwhen I leave theclass."

"I find the class particularly helpful for relaxation and flexibility.I do many of the exercises at home during the week and I'msure that I'mfeeling better in my body (no ongoing back pain, for example) than Iwould otherwise at this stage of pregnancy(34 weeks)."

"I am thoroughly enjoying the class. This is my first time taking anysort of Yoga class and it's been a very positiveexperience. I was ableto control much sciatic nerve pain with some of the yogamovements shownto me. Also showed me how to breathe and relax which is veryuseful fortimes of stress."

“Everything went smoothly for labour and delivery (especially after theepidural), and the doctors even commented on how easy the delivery was(3 pushes). I think in large part that was due to staying active,including bellydance classes until month 6 and the yoga classes at yourstudio afterwards. They helped with the breathing too - thanks!”Jennifer Wilhelm

“I honestly couldn’t have given birth naturally, if it wasn’t for youryoga classes.”
Adrienne Butt

"I've enjoyed the benefit of being able to paint my toenails at 9months pregnant! This is my third pregnancy and I would never goanywhere else."

"I've benefitted in many ways, among them:
1. This is the only exercise that I am motivated to do and after theclasses I feel both relaxed and invigorated, looking forward to thenext one.
2. I am benefitting from the suport and advice of the other classparticiapnts. I reallylove that the clas offers the same structure, this way I can easilyfollow alongwithout needing to watch you. "

"I have better control of my breathing and focus. I have maintainedsome constant activity. I feel better, stronger and more limber."

"It's a good motivation to do more exercise, I have benefitted from therelaxtion and nice stretching. I feel calm for the rest of the week."

"The class has provided me with a safe form of exercise duringpreganacy and a great way to stretch and relax. I thouroughly enjoyedthe entire class!"

"I gained flexibility, focus, learnt to spend time with myself. To notrush life, enjoy each moment, great class."

"I learnt to do deep abdominal breathing and to focus on thisbreathing, learnt to relax, it was very beneficial!"

"I feel better after doing yoga, my aches disappear, my breathing iseasier and I'm maintaining `or gaining flebibility. I've enjoyed coming to yoga class."

Feeling great after every class! Spending time with other pregnantmoms, even if during the class, it's spiritual time rather thanchatting time. I havebenefitted by learningnew postures that I can easily do at home. I think this class isawesome and the number of attendees shows how much we appreciate you!Your tone of voice is also very soothing and relaxing."

"I love the class! It's calming and refreshing and helps keep merelaxed all day."

"I found the space comfortable and inviting. Liked the pace of thesessions. I gained strength, flexibility and I enjoyed it very much."

“I was up and around without too much effort the day after the deliveryand started slowly doing yoga a couple of days after. I had no tearing,no excess bleeding and breastfeeding is going very smoothly - I reallyattribute this to the prenatal yoga. Also, my body is starting to feellike my own again, also I believe a yoga benefit. Thanks for yourclasses and mentoring.”
Christine Zeindler

"The delivery went well, except that the epidural did not work evenafter 4 shots...So I was even more grateful I took the prenatal yogaclasses, it was a HUGE help. It helped me throughout the contractionswhich started Monday afternoon. I am back home since Wednesday, restingand enjoying these very special moments with our little one. Lookingforward to bringing her to your next tea party."Aurélie Sabatié

"I have benfitted from all the great stretches that helped release andrelieve aches and pains."

"I just would like to let you know that I now have ababy girl! My daughter - Lea-Ayano Rousseau was born on August 27th andI would like to tell you how much the Yoga class helped me to relax andkept me healthy during the pregnancy...
Thank you very much!!!!! It was definitely one of the best things I'veever done in my life!I'm thinking of taking a Yoga course again after Irecover...Thank you again!!" Kayoko Rousseau

Léa-Ayano Rousseau





Join us for our pre and post natal yoga tea party every 3 months

Can't make it to class?

Prenatal Yoga-Stretch DVD

West Island Yoga Location

A beautiful, zen, yoga studio, clean, bright, spaciousrooms on a quiet street with no traffic noise, cushions are provided,please bring your own yoga mat.

Schedule

Private and semi-private classes available in thecomfort of your own home. For information, please call 514-577-1963.

Explore birthing stories from some ofIlluminart's Prenatal Yoga students