138 Yoga During Pregnancy: Community Conversations with Allie Geer

Today's episode dives into the vital topic of yoga during pregnancy and beyond. Host Rachel connects with Allie Geer, a Yoga Medicine Therapeutic Specialist and Biodynamic Cranial Sacral Therapist whose specialties include pre- and post-natal yoga.

In this episode, we discuss what it looks like to create space for both mother and baby in yoga classes, plus the impact of changes in circulation, centre of gravity, and soft tissue laxity.

Listen in to learn what to keep in mind when practicing yoga during and after pregnancy, the vital importance of community, and how teachers can help pregnant and postpartum students feel welcome and supported in class.

—

Show Notes:

• Practicing group yoga classes while pregnant [3:50]
• A key question: is this creating space for me and baby? [5:22]
• How to recruit extra support from props, walls, or teacher [6:47]
• Heated & fast-moving flows [8:25]
• Centre of gravity changes and standing balance [10:45]
• Relaxin and increased ligamentous flexibility [11:27]
• Lying on your back; implications for the vena cava [16:01]
• The importance of community [21:06]
• Breath work, bandhas, and upper body strength [24:51]
• Yoga postpartum [29:56]
• Planning a dedicated postpartum class [34:42]
• Practicing group classes postpartum [40:04]
• Working with diastasis recti; favorite deep core practices [42:17]
• .css-j9qmi7{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;font-weight:700;margin-bottom:1rem;margin-top:2.8rem;width:100%;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:start;justify-content:start;padding-left:5rem;}@media only screen and (max-width: 599px){.css-j9qmi7{padding-left:0;-webkit-box-pack:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;-webkit-justify-content:center;justify-content:center;}}.css-j9qmi7 svg{fill:#27292D;}.css-j9qmi7 .eagfbvw0{-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;color:#27292D;}