Pregnancy Yoga Classes

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We recommend regular weekly attendance throughout your pregnancy starting at any time after 13 weeks up until your estimated due date. All classes need to be booked in advance (see below for links to book online). Bookings are non-transferrable between teachers

Classes with Janet Balaskas

Wednesday evening (women only) : 7.00 – 9.00pm

Sunday evening Barnet class (mixed) : 5.00 – 7.00pm   

• BOOK ONLINE here for Janet’s classes
• Email: jb@activebirthcentre.com 
• Phone: 020 7281 6760
• You can select a combination of above day or evening classes when booking a discounted package of 5+ classes. Selected classes do not have to be consecutive.

Please note:  The Sunday Barnet Class is mixed.  You can come to this class on your own, or book 2 places for your partner to come with you. Ideal for birth preparation, this class includes HypnoBirthing and Active Birth techniques with the Yoga. This class is  held in Janet’s home studio in East Barnet.  The class numbers are limited to 8 people so early booking is recommended. You will get directions with your booking confirmation. Wednesday class is women only.

Class with Lynn MurphyTuesday evening (women only) : 7.00 – 9.00pm 

• BOOK ONLINE  here for Lynn’s classes
• Email: lm@activebirthcentre.com
• Phone: 020 7281 6760
• Selected classes do not have to be consecutive when booking a discounted package of 5+ classes

Please note: Lynn teaches most advertised classes – Lola Alcarez Perez will teach in her place on occasions that she is away.

Couples Yoga for Active Birth with Janet Balaskas

This a mini workshop which is held every 8 weeks instead of the usual (women only) Tuesday evening class.   Come with your partner or on your own. Please note couples are also welcome to the Sunday Barnet class.

Book for Couples Yoga Book Online

Book by Email: jb@activebirthcentre.com   Book by Phone, Call: 0208 3610124

Find out more: Couple Yoga Workshop 

Our Cancellation and refund policy 

Once booked classes  are non-refundable or transferable. Please do not request a refund or transfer if you are unwell or unexpectedly unable to attend.The only exception is in extenuating circumstances such as admission to hospital or baby being born early, in which case you need to let us know without delay by emailing info@activebirthcentre.com. If you have an unpredictable work schedule it is better to book single classes than a discounted block. Please do so in good time while there are still places left.

Thank you for your co-operation. We appreciate that you don’t ask us to make exceptions. This policy was created with your best interests in mind and to make the system manageable for us and class numbers consistent.

When we are away
Classes are continuous throughout the year with the exception of Christmas, New Year and the Easter weekend, when we are closed. If your teacher is away, you can rest assured that our locum teachers are hand picked to be a good replacement for us and we are sure you will benefit and be inspired by their teaching and knowledge. One of our main locum’s is Lola Alcarez Perez who is a highly experienced Pregnancy Yoga and Active Birth teacher and a doula. She brings a special warmth and depth of knowledge to the classes, which women always appreciate.

What makes our classes unique?* A 2 hour class in beautiful peaceful environment.
* A consistent group rather than a ‘drop in’ gives you more much support.
* Carefully controlled numbers ensure your safety and that your particular needs are met.
* Individual attention from wonderful, experienced teachers. We are expert yoga, ante and postnatal teachers.
* Our booking system encourages you to come regularly, which is essential for you to develop ‘body memory’.
* We include guidance for birth in addition to a good relaxing stretch.
* Plenty of guidance about Active Birth Positions, touch and partner work.
* A deeper, more focused approach to breathing and relaxation in the postures.
* Yoga is supported with a full antenatal and postnatal programme to include your partner.
* A very comfortable and spacious environment with all the equipment you need.
* Teachers who know how to help you if you have pelvic pain or spinal problems.
* Our own in-house complementary therapy clinic specialising in pregnancy treatments.
* Local unrestricted parking.

Here is some of the amazing feedback we get every week!

Thank you Janet for your calm, rational and truly helpful advice provided in the yoga sessions, I looked forward to each week. they helped me to maintain calm and focus in a busy world and led to a comfortable and instinctive natural birth!!

Your classes out of many things I tried to do to prepare for labour helped me and stuck in my head the most- so thank you!

I went into labour  after the yoga class! Contractions were very intense very quickly but I managed to stay home until 2am, we arrived at hospital at 2:30am and our baby was born 50mins after! A water birth again, I sometimes felt overwhelmed, but I managed, so a big thank you again for the yoga classes and your precious advices, I am 100% convinced I wouldn’t have had the same births if I hadn’t come to your classes.

Good news I had a beautiful baby boy yesterday!  No birth centre for us due to circumstances but I still used all my yoga & active birth techniques and it got me though with just a little gas & air. I know that all I’ve done with you Lynn since the very beginning has helped me mentally and physically through this. A huge thank you!!

The yoga classes were superb and gave me so much to take with me into labour. Having had this experience I can’t imagine how women manage without it. I felt calm and in control most of the time. Even at the stormiest moments my yoga breathing was a life line.I did a course of yoga with Janet and the tips I got were priceless during labour.I had a 5 hour labour  – the midwives couldn’t believe how quickly this first birth was going!

About your Teachers

Janet Balaskas is the pioneer of pregnancy yoga and has taught and inspired teachers all over the world. She brings her unique wisdom, warmth and experience to these inspirational  pregnancy yoga classes which bring you all the benefits of yoga as well as preparation for your birth.  They are designed to help you to develop a regular practice with a focus on the most essential postures and to be compatible with Active Birth and HypnoBirthing courses.  You benefit from a deep yoga class to ease body and mind, in addition to breathing, relaxation, visualisation, Active Birth and self hypnosis techniques.

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Lynn Murphy has been working alongside Janet for eighteen years and brings a warm and supportive presence to her classes. She has a unique and elegant teaching style, grounded in years of personal practice, with great attention to detail which will help you have a more relaxed and comfortable pregnancy and an easier, calmer birth. Her classes bring together the breath, relaxation, active birth philosophy and techniques and carefully chosen yoga poses, interwoven with guidance that will prepare you beautifully for labour and birth.

More feedback…

After many years of working as a nurse, when I became pregnant with my first child I started to practise yoga. This was triggered by Janet Balaskas’ Active Birth book which my best friend gave to me with the recommendation “… this is all you need. Don’t read any other book.” And she was absolutely right. Everything in that book made total sense to me. I practised yoga. I swam. I rested. I went for walks. Everything I did for myself, I did for my baby.  In my husband’s eyes I was beautiful – and I felt beautiful. I also felt strong and powerful. I was so happy. And it was in this state of happiness that I went into labour and had what I could only describe at the time as ‘the most beautiful experience ever’.