Spirit of yoga

Even the Queen is currently benefitting from this gentle therapy. Before you are born you can tap into those life-affirming vibes - with mum's co-operation, of course.

Lymington-based yoga teacher Kim Duran is offering classes adapted for pregnant women, taking yoga elements which seem most appropriate for mothers with-child.

"The spirit of yoga is that you live within your body. You are aware of changes," said Kim.

"There is no better time to use yoga techniques than when you are pregnant, when your body is changing, and when life is growing within you.

"I will bring Baby in from the beginning. Deep breathing connects you with your child. He or she can hear the sounds of your humming - the bee-breath - and the rhythms of music. It is the beginning of bonding."

Kim - a mother of three - is qualified with the British Wheel of Yoga but took a specialist course with natural childbirth organisation Birthlight to prepare for her new classes.

"Pregnancy is a wonderful and profound experience but also sometimes overwhelming," said Kim. The yoga approach is holistic, aiming to bring harmony and balance to the physical, emotional and mental state - never more needed than when you are pregnant.

"Anxiety is normal. So are scary dreams. But we can share things in the class and we will involve partners too at some stages.

It is good that they know the breathing techniques, so they can help you."

Because the different stages of pregnancy have different needs, Kim says each member of her class will get individual attention.

A woman who is in the first trimester will benefit from deep, calming breathing and very little movement. By the second trimester she will be in good shape to cope with stretching and strengthening postures.

The last couple of months will be geared to labour and how to use yoga to make it a positive experience," said Kim.

Expectant mother Andrea Bartelt from Lymington said she welcomed the new classes as a way to relax.

"It's like having a bouncy ball inside. I can't sit anywhere. The baby is very sensitive to noise and we both need to calm down," she said.

Kim said classical music, Indian sitar, or even African reggae could all be a beneficial part of the class.

"I want these classes to be fun and to help women be happy in pregnancy," she said.

"Ayurvedic thinking - the foundation of yoga - says that expectant mothers should only eat good things, only hear good things, only see good things, because all that the mother experiences is passed on to the baby."

Kim Duran's Yoga for Pregnancy classes will take place at 11.30 in the River Suite at the Wistaria Clinic, Avenue Road, Lymington, starting from Wednesday, February 25. For more information call Kim on 01590 626237.