insideKENT Magazine Issue 65 - August 2017 | Page 127

HEALTH+WELLNESS PRENATAL YOGA with Hannah Stewart BASED IN ASHFORD, HANNAH STEWART HAS BEEN PRACTICING YOGA FOR OVER TWELVE YEARS AND COMPLETED A TWO-YEAR YOGA TEACHING DIPLOMA WITH THE VICTOR FOUNDATION IN 2012. BEFORE THIS, SHE DID A YOGA TEACHING DIPLOMA WITH THE BRITISH SCHOOL OF YOGA AND HAS RECENTLY QUALIFIED AS A PRENATAL YOGA INSTRUCTOR TEACHING PRENATAL YOGA COURSES FOR EXPECTANT MUMS OVER 14- WEEKS GESTATION. Hi Hannah. How did you get into yoga and meditation? I began a yoga practice after the birth of my first child 12 years ago. She was born with a severe case of gastroschisis and we spent six weeks in the neonatal intensive care unit. I was looking for something that would help me relax and cope in quite a scary time in our lives, and I was also in need of finding my core again! Yoga seemed a natural choice. When did you decide to become a teacher? Yoga is such a vast and constantly evolving science, I am always learning and forever the student. The decision to become a teacher happened two days before the training started in 2010 – I hadn't really thought seriously about it, only that I wanted to gain more knowledge of yoga. I had a conversation with my teacher at the time, Stephen Buss, and he encouraged me to do it. If he hadn’t I’m not sure I ever would have! Even throughout two years of training with The Victor Foundation, the reality of teaching a class hadn’t really dawned on me. Stephen “handed down” one of his classes to me (at 34-weeks pregnant with my second child) and even though I felt sick with nerves and had such huge boots to fill, in hindsight it was the best thing he could have done. I may never have started otherwise. How long have you been teaching yoga? I have been teaching classes in and around Ashford for six years. Everything from complete beginner courses to advanced workshops with Liberty Wellbeing. This year, I teamed up with Ohm Angel Wellbeing for our first three-day yoga and wellbeing retreat in the beautiful Dower House at Knowlton Court, which was fantastic. We have already booked in more for next year. We’ve also developed a unique and deeply restorative form of ‘Reiki Yoga’, which combines the two ancient practices. We run regular workshops at Challock Health and Fitness, which allows people to completely switch off and reboot. What are the benefits of prenatal yoga? Prenatal yoga is a completely safe form of exercise for all pregnant women, whatever your level of experience. The body is constantly changing during pregnancy and for many this can lead to the usual aches and pains, but for some can lead to more serious conditions such as symphysis pubis dysfunction, which can be excruciating and even debilitating. Prenatal yoga specifically strengthens the muscles of the lower back, pelvic floor, legs and thighs. As your body and energy levels can change day to day, you can adapt the poses to be as strong or relaxing as you like. We also learn pranayama practices that increase lung capacity and establish control of the breath. Combining these practices with deep restorative relaxation can empower women to have a positive pregnancy enabling them to bond with their baby and have a positive birth experience. You can find details of Hannah’s weekly timetable of classes by visiting her Facebook page, by emailing [email protected], or by calling 07894 851615. www.findingyoga.co.uk findingyogaashford 127