This comprehensive course is open to all qualified yoga teachers from any tradition. Designed to train graduate teachers in the practical skills to confidently and safely teach yoga classes for pregnant women and accommodate a pregnant woman in a general class. This course is also aimed at those wishing to learn how to modify and adapt yoga practices to be accessible for differing abilities.

We will examine the most common concerns yoga teachers have when embarking into this special area of teaching and demonstrate the fulfilling role of a Dru prenatal yoga teacher.

This training explores how to empower women to trust in the miracle of birth and utilise the yogic techniques to face the challenges of pregnancy, labour and birth.

The course will be held over two 3 day module weekends with over 30 hours live on-line sessions plus extra information pre recorded. 

All course materials including the course manual, video recordings and handouts are accessed via a Student Online Learning Platform called Thinkific

Dates:

Module 1      6-8 May 2022

Module 2      25-27 November 2022

There will be two Tutorials between Module 1 and 2 

THE COURSE WILL INCLUDE:

Fundamental principles

• safe and effective practice 
• physiology of pregnancy and birth
• empowering women to believe in themselves 
• trust that birth is a natural process, a part of life
• understanding good postural alignment
• adapting Dru Yoga practices for a prenatal environment
• honouring the miracle of new life

Beneficial practices to establish during pregnancy

• asanas and sequences
• effective breathing practices for pregnancy and labour
• pregnancy relaxation techniques 
• prenatal meditation for empowerment
• developing concentration skills
• affirmations to transform unhelpful emotional patterns

Maintaining optimal health and wellbeing throughout pregnancy

• learn to balance hormonal and emotional fluctuations
• develop skills for dealing with the effects of stress during pregnancy and labour
• effective self-help tools to ease back pain and many other pregnancy related problems

Anatomy and physiology for pregnancy and childbirth

• changes to and demands on the musculo-skeletal frame
• strengthening core stability muscles including pelvic floor
• ways to enhance optimal fetal positioning

Preparing for childbirth

• Running a partner class specially for birthing support people - sharing a variety of pain-relieving techniques, partner massage and partner stretches.

Postnatal yoga

• Guidelines on a gentle home programme during the first 6 weeks after the birth of the baby  

ASSESSMENTS

• Practical assessment will be ongoing. There will be guided practical teaching exercises at every stage of the course with tutors observing and providing feedback.

ASSIGNMENTS

1. Design 3 lesson plans 

2. A case study 

30 CPD points Teaching skills (Professional development) 

CERTIFICATE

On successful completion of the course you will be awarded a postgraduate certificate in teaching Dru prenatal yoga.