Classcial Yoga
postnatal yoga classes
pre and postnatal yoga teacher diploma
postnatal yoga classesCourse outline

Modules 1 – 3
Physical and emotional changes mums-to-be experience during pregnancy; development of the fetus through each trimester. Recommended asana, pranayama, relaxation and meditation techniques; relevant recommendations/modifications for each stage of pregnancy. Precautions to be observed throughout pregnancy.

Module 4
Optimal fetal positioning (OFP) describes how to encourage the baby into the best position 2 -3 weeks before birth, postures and breathing techniques to assist mother and baby during labour and delivery. Postnatal recovery; how and when to resume yoga practice safely and effectively from the day after delivery to the standard 6-week check up and beyond.

Module 5
Covers the mechanics of C-section and post-C section practice, diastasis recti (abdominal muscle separation – AMS), combining pre and postnatal classes, postnatal students in general classes.

Module 6
Partner yoga - detailed instruction on introducing and teaching partner yoga to a prenatal class, or to expectant mums and their husbands/partners in a special class for mums and dads to be. The importance of transforming fear of childbirth into a joyful, positive expectation, with reference to hypnobirthing.




Assignments

What to expect
Each module has an assignment consisting of 4 questions. These include the creation of relevant course handouts, questionnaires, promotional fliers, lesson plans, course plans and some essay questions. None of the questions are multiple choice; all questions require understanding of the course text, reference to additional recommended texts, plus your own experience, opinion and rationale. None of it is rocket science, but it does demand time, thought, planning, a little creativity and basic computer skills.

Submission of Assignments
Clear guidelines are given (e.g. format, min/max word guide). Successful completion of the previous assignment is required before continuing to the next module. Assignments that ignore the guidelines or are below standard will be returned ungraded with clear feedback as to why the assignment needs to be resubmitted.

Handouts
Some questions require the creation of handouts for students. On completion of the course you will have a comprehensive portfolio of teaching aids for your classes. This preparation will help you to focus on your teaching, and encourage your students to develop their own practice with confidence, as they will have clear, accurate instructions to refer to.

Since these handouts are for your students, they need to be well presented (no spelling/grammar mistakes), visually appealing and accurate. Use of colour, logos and/or pictures is necessary.



How long does the course take?
Some yogis complete the course in 3 months, some take 6 months, some a year, depending on personal circumstances and the time available to study. It must be completed within
12 months of enrolment, but if life intervenes with exceptional circumstances, as it sometimes does, an extension will be granted.


Can I take the course whilst I'm pregnant?
Definitely!! Many graduates study for this course during pregnancy and find it's the perfect time to study how to teach prenatal yoga.


I’m a yoga teacher but I’ve never had a baby – can I enroll?
Definitely! There is an excellent prenatal teacher in the South West (and no doubt many others too) – he has never been pregnant either:)


I am a midwife involved in active birth – can I enroll?
Midwives are particularly welcome, as they have so much to offer pregnant women throughout their pregnancy, not just during the birth. If you have a strong yoga practice, and have been attending classes for at least 18 months, you are eligible for enrolment on the course, but please contact me before enrolling.


Continuous Professional Development and Continuing Education
CPD/CE is an important aspect of a yoga teacher’s lifelong journey. This course will provide CPD/CE credits whilst adding to your repertoire of teaching skills in a very relevant way; it is a rare teacher who doesn’t get requests for prenatal yoga.


Pre-requisites for enrolment
Open to yoga teachers, childbirth educators, doulas, midwives and other pregnancy health professionals with a strong yoga practice. Those who don't have a recognised yoga teaching qualification will need to supply evidence of their yoga experience and practice. Completion of a 200-hour yoga teacher-training program or its equivalent prior to taking this course is strongly recommended.

Teaching pre and postnatal yoga requires specialist knowledge. It is inadvisable to teach prenatal students without this knowledge.


How much does it cost?
The cost of the course is
£375, payable on enrolment. You will receive the complete course on enrolment. On successful completion you will receive a diploma, and a letter of completion stating your total study hours will be sent to the Yoga Alliance to be added to your CEU record.

The only other cost will be buying at least one of the recommended books; much information can be found online, but it’s important to have at least one reference book.

This link takes you to a currency conversion site, so you can find out exactly what the cost is in any currency at today’s rate www.oanda.com/currency/converter/


What about insurance?
For UK teachers, we thoroughly recommend Yoga-Link, offered by DSC Insurance Services at http://www.yogalink.co.uk/fact_sheets/yoga_teaching_activities.htm Yoga-Link is an insurance scheme especially designed for yoga teachers from all traditions of yoga and their specialist needs. The scheme is arranged and administered by DSC Insurance Services and is underwritten by certain underwriters at Lloyds. It has grown to become the largest independent group policy available on the market for Yoga teachers.



English is not my mother tongue – can I still take the course?
If your English comprehension is at an upper intermediate or advanced level, you will be able to understand the course material. Test papers are marked according to content, not English grammar. If your written English has mistakes that cause misunderstanding, then your level isn’t high enough.



Your tutor
Jane Mackarness has been studying and practising integral yoga and homeopathy for over 30 years, and teaching yoga since 1980. She started training teachers in 1997.

Her love of yoga continues to deepen, bringing joy, clarity and peace to her life classical hatha yoga. Like a trusted and reliable friend, yoga never lets you down, and is always there for you.

Jane is the author of this course, co-author of Yoga for Fitness Professionals, and co-producer of a Sanskrit pronunciation CD. For more information, please go to the profile page.



Yoga Alliance accreditation - CPD and CEUs
Approved for 20 non-contact hours credit toward Yoga Alliance's 500-hour Certification. This fulfills the Yoga Alliance's 3 yearly non-contact hour CEU (continuing education credit/continuous professional development) requirement; the remaining 10-hour requirement must be contact hours.


Increasing your yoga business
Demand for prenatal yoga classes is high, as most women are more motivated to make positive changes in their lives during pregnancy than at any other time. Yoga is now one of the most popular ways of preparing for childbirth, and many medical professionals also recognise its benefits.

Many women choose to attend a small class of 3 or 4; some opt for personal tuition, often in their own home, and are happy to pay more for individual attention, whilst others prefer a larger class.

Growing bellies are great for growing your business! Many new mums return to classes after their 6-week check up, and often request Mum and Baby and Children's yoga too. It's wonderful to be part of these young families. Offering pre/postnatal yoga really develops your business – as well as introducing yoga to young families, it often brings health care professionals, such as midwives, doctors and nurses, to your classes.

Every graduate who has actively promoted their classes runs at least one antenatal class per week, some run several and some have opened their own prenatal studios and have referrals from GPs, physicians, midwives and childbirth educators.


Pregnancy Yoga Teacher Training Workshops
2-day workshops are available in London and the South West for UK students who wish to supplement the course with assessed contact hours. Other locations can be arranged on request; contact Jane for the 2010 workshop schedule.


The advantages of distance learning
If you are new to distance learning, you will discover the many advantages of studying this way, which is why so many schools, colleges and universities now offer this method. Basically, distance learning gives you tremendous flexibility - you can study any time, anywhere, to suit your own timetable, without incurring additional travel or accommodation costs.

There is no ‘padding’ of the course – every assignment has a very practical function in producing handouts, class plans etc, and in understanding why and how to modify asana and pranayama.

You will always get a quick response to questions and receive expert individual tuition from your tutor via e-mail. But, please be aware that home study is not a soft option - like the practice of yoga, it needs motivation, commitment and self-discipline.


Testimonials
If you are considering investing your time and money, but need some reassurance that it is worth committing those two valuable resources to this course, check out what some course graduates have achieved by adding to their yoga teaching skills - click here to read.

If possible, phone or Skype Jane to speak with her personally before enrolling, she would love to talk to you and answer any questions you may have.




Enrolment and payment
To enroll please choose one of the two payment options below.

We use Paypal as our payment source but PLEASE NOTE you don't need a Paypal account to pay by credit card - look for the credit card link at the bottom of the checkout page.

OPTION A - Full payment option: £375
You will receive the complete course on enrolment.




OPTION B - 2 installment option: £400 (2 payments of £200)
You will receive the first 3 modules on receipt of your 1st instalment; the remaining 3 modules will be sent to you on receipt of the 2nd instalment, payable 12 weeks after enrolment.

FIRST INSTALLMENT

SECOND INSTALLMENT