Prenatal Yoga
Lisa’s Philosophy
Lisa has spent thousands of hours practicing and sharing the art of yoga with adults and youth. Throughout the years, her calling to create a more empathetic and intuitive community has been rooted in working with those that are most curious, children as they so clearly see the wonder of the world.
Her dedication to serving the whole-child and whole-being experience begins by nurturing and empowering those that care for young people. Serving the whole-child requires that we explore the whole-community and the relationships that nurture young people. This nurturing process can begin as early as when baby is in the womb.
Pregnancy is an intimate and sacred journey that can be a whirlwind for mothers and support systems. There can be a wave of emotions that come and go like excitement, gratitude, stress, uncertainty and fear. It can be easy to forget to turn inward during this journey, feeling disconnected and overwhelmed. Through movement and breathwork, Lisa creates a space to cultivate grounded energy for mother and baby. As the body begins to blossom and sensations begin to heighten, we tune into what would be most supportive each time that we practice together. Intuitively and empathetically curating practices just for the unique experiences of the carrying body, Lisa offers classes that feel like they were made just for you.
Book with Lisa
Am I ready to practice prenatal yoga?
Every mama’s body is beautifully divine and different, so there are a few questions to consider as we explore this.
- Have you checked with your primary healthcare provider as well as any other holistic providers (doula, massage therapist, acupuncturist ect.) that it is safe for you to practice yoga during your pregnancy?
- What do you feel in your body and mind? Is there anything that you would like to feel more connected to?
- Are you wanting to feel more prepared for your birthing experience and ceremony?
- Are you feeling open to trying new practices to support your unique journey as a mother?
Can I book private prenatal yoga classes if I have never practiced yoga before?
The simplest answer is: When you begin to wonder if yoga could support your journey, perhaps now is the time to begin. I’ve supported mamas that were brand new to the practice through their pregnancy, and it’s been an incredible experience for both mama and myself. I always customize private classes to best respond to what’s showing up for mama and baby. If you’re new to the practice, practicing yoga while pregnant can be a lovely time to tune into the body together to best support your mental, physical, emotional and spiritual health.
The most important recommendation is to trust yourself and always check with your primary healthcare provider to ensure that yoga is safe for you and baby.
- Checking in at the beginning of each class to learn how I can best support you in your practice that session
- Building a trusting connection with myself as I hold the space
- Postures that are safe for baby and the pregnant body
- Practices that are nurturing the changing pregnant body and mind
- Breathwork to support mama through pregnancy and delivery
- Meditation and Relaxation practices
- Slow and inviting pace
- Opportunities to connect to baby throughout the practice
- Lots of variations offered, props and open discussion to really explore as I offer guidance. Think of these practices almost like a “workshop.” It’s your class, you have the capacity to ask questions and engage with Lisa as you’d like.
What is the cost for private prenatal yoga sessions with Lisa?
In person classes are available in Toronto, ON upon request with a different price structure to account for time and travel. Otherwise, private classes are held tenderly via zoom.
Class Prices:
- Individual Classes:
- $70 USD: 1 hour private virtual session
- $110 USD: 1 ½ hour private virtual session
- Free: 20 minute phone consultation with booking the first session (recommended, but optional)
- $25 USD: 20 minute phone consultation (recommended, but optional)
- Packages:
- $390 USD : 6 Class Package, 1 Hour Sessions, Free 20 minute phone consultation included
- Sliding Scale prices available to the LGBTQIA+ Community, BIPOC community, and those in financial need
- $50- $70 USD: 1 hour virtual session
- $90 – $110 USD: 1.5 hour virtual session
- Free: 20 minute consultation upon booking the first session (recommended, but optional)
- Price Philosophy: I’m an independent yoga instructor with 8 + years of teaching and training experience. I don’t want my classes to be out of reach, so if you’re unsure if you can make the price work into your budget, let’s have an open conversation. Partnerships could be discussed as well (referral discounts and/or promotions of my classes).
Does Lisa offer group classes?
- Please check-out Lisa’s upcoming events for any public group classes
- Private community classes can be available if you have a small number of mamas that are interested in the practice with you.
- Group Prenatal Class Philosophy: The reason that I keep it small right now is to best serve the mama and baby experience, especially through virtual offerings. The more students that I have, the less I can tailor it to what’s showing up for you right now.
*Group rates may be discussed upon request
Easy online payment options currently include Venmo (for U.S. folks), Paypal, or E-Transfer works best. Lisa will provide you with that information you schedule classes.
How often do you recommend practicing while pregnant?
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- There’s no magic number that works for everyBODY (pregnant or not). What is important in this practice is to work towards connecting to what feels best supportive to you and baby during this time.
- If the practice is causing you stress in any way, pause, and explore. What about the practice is causing me stress? The time of day? The length of the practice? My current schedule?
- Here’s a few considerations:
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- Currently I can offer private classes 2x per week, weekly, biweekly or monthly ( between 1 hour sessions and 1 ½ hour sessions).
- Consistency is key to any practice, but allow yourself gentleness and grace when it comes to scheduling yourself time on the mat as we know “life can happen.” Yoga can take many forms. Movement is just one of the eight limbs of the practice. So, if you don’t have time for asana that day, how about a meditation or some journaling for a few minutes instead?
- The pregnant body is constantly changing. The most important part of this practice is to nurture and honor yourself and baby in this process. Gentle guided movement is an opportunity to tune into the body as the vessel transforms.
What if I scheduled a practice with Lisa, but I’m not feeling well that day?
- Always honor your body and baby.
- Practices will be carefully crafted for what you may need that day. I welcome open communication days leading up to the practice as well. For example, if you’re feeling really fatigued but well enough to join me in practice, then perhaps we shift the practice to more meditation, Yoga Nidra or restorative.
- Lisa’s cancellation policy is 24 hours.
- If you cancel before 24 hours of your scheduled class, you’ll be offered a refund, the opportunity to reschedule for another time or the chance to skip that week and move the payment to a future class.
Where should I practice for a virtual yoga class?
- Wherever you’re most comfortable
- Consider the following:
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- Lisa is a guest in your space in a private class. There is no need to ensure that you have a “perfect” space or feel like you have to clean extra to get ready for yoga.
- Choose somewhere you feel safe.
- Find somewhere you can take up space.
- In a virtual class, if you’re using the speaker on your laptop/tablet/phone rather than headphones, Lisa recommends indoors so that you can hear clearly.
- Choose somewhere that you can be alone/uninterrupted for the most part. If it’s possible, set your phone to silent and have someone looking after any young people or activities for them to join. If you’re wondering if your other children can join you, let’s have a conversation.
What props or resources can be supportive to practice with for prenatal yoga classes?
- Virtual Classes:
- Create a free zoom account
- Wireless headphones can be helpful for tuning into the class, but not required at all
- Alternative: If you don’t have access to Zoom, we could work out another virtual option.
- Create a free zoom account
- Yoga Props: Accessibility is one of my top values in the practice of yoga. Props are important to best support the pregnant body. I’m a prop oriented teacher, the more props, the better. However, I never allow a lack of access to limit the experience. Creativity with props can also be a way to access more easily. I’m always happy to have open discussions about what you have available and what may be supportive to get.
- Yoga Mat (1)
- I highly recommend practicing with a yoga mat or on a surface that you are most comfortable with.
- Consider if the mat slides on the floor when you’re practicing on it. I’d recommend getting a yoga mat that sticks to the floor easily. This will allow you to be more supported throughout the class on your mat.
- Bolsters (1-2)
- Alternatives: Thick, Firm Pillows
- Question: Can I use my pregnancy pillow in place of a bolster
- Usually I’ll offer a bolster for a lot in prenatal yoga. So it’s there to support some seated postures, any lying on the side, reclined postures, lower squats or child’s posture… your pregnancy pillow might do the trick in place of the bolster! I don’t think we’ll know until we try it. Usually it’s just the difference in firmness that I find with some pillows when comparing them to some bolsters… of course everything can vary.
- Meditation Cushion
- Yoga Blocks
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- Foam or Cork
- Alternatives: Larger and Thicker Hardcover books
- Use: They’re wonderful for many postures and especially modified folds. So, usually in a forward fold, we “dive into ourselves”… with baby there, I like to cue creating space… so almost like the “halfway lift” in a vinyasa from forward fold but supported with blocks…”a flat back” cue. They’re also really great to support the bolster/pregnancy pillow to create a “ramp” to lean back on because lying on the back may not be an option for some pregnant bodies.
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- Yoga Strap
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- Alternative: Scarves/Ties
- Use: This is not required. While you can use a belt or scarf as a strap, sometimes we rely on the D-ring buckles to create a loop and hold the body in poses like supta baddha konasana.
- Blankets (1-2)
- Large enough to cover your body or fold to create cushioning
- Use: Cushion for hips, seat, knees or adding height to other props to rest on
- Throw Pillows (1-2)
- Foam Roller
- Any length/firmness
- Use: Myofascial release. Myofascia = Myo (muscle fiber) + Fascia (the fascial wrappings holding the muscle fibers together to form a muscle).
- Small Therapy Balls
- Alternative: Tennis Balls
- Why Therapy Balls: Myofascial release. Myofascia = Myo (muscle fiber) + Fascia (the fascial wrappings holding the muscle fibers together to form a muscle).
- Big Yoga Balls/Exercise Balls:
- Use: are wonderful for pregnancy (both for practice, usually later in pregnancy and I have heard of mamas using this during labor). I don’t have one here yet, but I’m more than happy to buy one or simply guide you in using it in some practices. They’re really great.