One would think DUMBO is the most fertile place in New York City with all the baby bumps and strollers out there. Having places like Brooklyn Bridge Park and P.S. 8 in its backyard, and being so close to Manhattan make it a great neighborhood for young families. Finally, expectant and new moms now have pre and postnatal yoga classes in the neighborhood too! Classes started a few weeks ago at Abhaya Yoga on Jay Street.
Mommy & Me, Tuesdays, 1.15 – 2.15 pm (drop-in $18)
Safely guide your body back from its life giving journey while bonding and having fun with your baby! Specialized asana with emphasis on toning the abdominal wall and pelvic muscles to restore alignment and strength for overall health. Options will be given to incorporate baby into poses. Have fun with movement and dance for an energy boost and lots of baby giggles. Open to all mothers 6 weeks postpartum and beyond. Bring baby, 6 week to crawling. No previous yoga experience is needed.
Prenatal Yoga, Tuesdays, 2.30 – 3.45 pm (drop-in $18)
Focus on you, your baby and the changes pregnancy brings within a supportive community. Safe, specialized asanas and deep relaxation techniques alleviate the common physical discomforts of pregnancy while creating tone and physical strength. No previous yoga experience is necessary; mothers-to-be at all stages of pregnancy are welcomed.
About the teacher, Kat Blandino:
Q: What brought you to pre & postnatal yoga?
A: Yoga had been a part of my life pre baby but the importance of the practice in my life and as a lifestyle was solidified when I became pregnant with my son Luca, (now age 2). I had recently moved to the West coast leaving friends and family back on the East coast and in the UK, it was within the prenatal yoga community and later in my postnatal/mommy and me classes that I found my support group and deep friendships that have guided me through the joys, frustrations, worries and everything in between you experience a new mother. It was by practicing prenatal yoga that I developed the physical strength and stamina coupled with understanding how to surrender and soften so I was able to work with my body to birth my baby. I gained a better understanding of myself and how to listen to that inner voice and trust my instincts.
Q: What can expectant moms expect from your prenatal yoga class?
A: My desire by teaching prenatal yoga to give expecting mothers a warm welcoming space to focus on their pregnancy in a deeper way, creating the space and time needed to adjust to the changes taking place, bond with baby and celebrate themselves. The asanas, breathing practices and deep relaxation techniques in my classes are designed to alleviate the physical discomforts of pregnancy, understand emotional ups and downs and prepare the body and mind for pregnancy, birth and beyond. Providing the ‘tools’ to birth in the way they hope and if that plan changes – the flexibility and ability to stay calm and adapt to the changing circumstances. This process of discovering a mother’s inner power, optimal physical state and emotional wellbeing is at the heart of my prenatal yoga classes.
Q: What can new moms expect from your mommy & me yoga class?
A: My mommy & me yoga classes guide the new mom back after her miraculous 9 month transformation in a safe, effective and fun way. The postnatal period can be highly tumultuous and taxing, taking care of baby is an exhausting job! It can be a challenge to connect to your body positively during this transitional time and make time for yourself. The mommy & me classes allow you to feel back in your own body, find a sense of calm and bond with baby. The postnatal practice is primarily focused on the mother but options are given to incorporate baby into the practice if you wish. Whatever you need to do to make you or baby happy, feed, change, or simply hold is supported and encouraged.
About Abhaya Yoga Studio
Abhaya yoga specializes in a dynamic style of Hatha yoga, which is influenced by Anusara, and Vinyasa yoga. Abhaya Yoga in DUMBO offers classes for all fitness levels, beginners, advanced, yoga with live music, meditation, workshops and more. New students get first week of unlimited yoga for $25.
Abhaya Yoga, 10 Jay Street, Suite 600, 11201 Brooklyn