Pre-Natal Yoga

A New Approach to Pre-Natal Yoga...
In 2005, Georgetown Yoga founder Margaret Burns Vap gave birth to daughter Morgane Sienna on June 25. After a healthy and active pregnancy, during which she taught and practiced yoga right up until she delivered, Margaret developed a new approach to pre-natal yoga. After having numerous pregnant students in many of her classes, she discovered that pregnant yoginis do not necessarily need to limit themselves to a pre-natal yoga class. She found that she was able to share her pregnancy experiences with her students to help them adjust their yoga practice, so that they were able to attend almost any class on our schedule. So while we do offer a specific pre-natal class, if you cannot attend, please contact us and we would be happy to meet with you and discuss how to benefit from another class that works for your schedule.

Spring 2008 Pre-Natal Yoga
Sundays, 9:00-10:00 am
Drop-ins are welcome, for $17 per class.

Yoga designed especially for moms-to-be! Discover the physical and emotional benefits of a
pre-natal yoga practice. Connect with your body and your baby during this amazing time. This class is for expectant mothers at any stage of pregnancy; the yoga practice is modified to accommodate the changing needs of mothers-to-be. Learn how a yoga practice and a yogic mindset can help prepare your body and mind for childbirth. Students must consult their physician or midwife prior to beginning a yoga practice.

* Pre-Natal instructor Kara's son Curtis, born January 2006

Resources
Another element of our healthy and happy pregnancies was the warm support we received from the GY community. There are so many great resources for moms-to-be and new moms, and we want to make sure to share them with others so they can benefit as we did. We hope to grow this webpage into a resource for all kinds of useful information for pregnant women and their families. Enjoy this time - it goes by so quickly! Please note the following recommendations are a reflection of our personal birth philosophies and experiences, so they are by no means all encompassing. We would be happy to talk to you more should you have any questions.

attachment parenting - promoting parenting practices that create strong, healthy emotional bonds between children and their parents

bugs and blossoms - a boutique for mom, dad & baby. Morgane's favorite clothes ever are from Zutano, and they have the best selection

dc baby - a daily resource for parents in and around washington

la leche league international - to help mothers worldwide to breastfeed and to promote a better understanding of breastfeeding as an important element in the healthy development of baby and mother

moby wrap - forget the bjorn and the sling, this one is the best for baby wearing!

nurtured beginnings - the birth doula group used and highly recommended by Margaret

photopia - portraits by elizabeth dranitzke - specializing in pregnant women and babies
this photo of Margaret was taken by elizabeth

patemm pads - this amazing changing pad may be the best baby product ever - take it everywhere and use it at home

Our favorite pregnancy reads: (click on image for product detail at amazon.com)

Ina May's Guide to Childbirth
by Ina May Gaskin

Helpful information for making informed choices about your birth, especially with regard to hospital procedures

The Pregnancy Book: Month-by-Month, Everything You Need to Know From America's Baby Experts
by William Sears, MD and Martha Sears, RN

Don't be pregnant without this book!

The Birth Book: Everything You Need to Know to Have a Safe and Satisfying Birth
by William Sears, MD and Martha Sears, RN
Don't give birth without this book!

Great Expectations: Your All-in-One Resource for Pregnancy & Childbirth
by Sandy Jones and Marcie Jones

This was Margaret's favorite...the week by week update is great. Lots of very practical information, including a section on baby gear

After your little one arrives:

The Baby Book: Everything You Need to Know About Your Baby from Birth to Age Two
by William Sears, MD and Martha Sears, RN
This may seem worlds away when you are pregnant...but have it on hand for when baby arrives!

Super Baby Food
by Ruth Yaron
ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING you should know about feeding your baby and toddler from beginning solid foods through age three years. How and when to start your baby on solid foods and tons of other info plus recipes. What foods to try when and what to avoid, in a fun, very easy to use format.

Everyday Blessings: The Inner Work of Mindful Parenting
by Jon Kabat-Zinn & Myla Kabat-Zinn
On my nightstand right now...(Margaret BV)

Mother-Daughter Wisdom:
Creating a Legacy of Physical and Emotional Health
by Christiane Northrup