Prenatal & Postnatal Yoga Teacher Training

Empowering Pregnancy, Birth and Motherhood

Online and In-Person

An invitation to support women in the Yoga of the Feminine as Prenatal and Postnatal Yoga.

Change lives through a deep connection to the wisdom of motherhood as the yoga practice itself

Support women to nourish and birth the next generation with diverse practices that develops trust, intuitive wisdom and confidence in the innate power of the female body.

Connect to your leadership in the feminine rise, healing the Earth one mother at a time.

 

This body of work cherishes:

  • Elevating motherhood as the yoga practice itself, part of the movement to reclaim feminine spiritual wisdom: an openly Feminist & Post-Lineage Yoga Approach

  • Embracing our Earth connection when growing new life, our inner nature nourished through grounding and rooting to mother nature, being in the cycles.

  • Women’s pleasure on multiple levels through movement, expression & being listened to in their Pregnancy, Birth and Motherhood experience.

  • Connecting to the Intuitive Voice and Ancestral Wisdom of womanhood above and beyond voices of systems and the voices of patriarchy

  • Nourishing, nurturing and compassionate teaching and practices, building sisterhood and communities of support for mothers. It takes a village

  • Reclaiming ritual to nourish and support women through their rite of passage into motherhood and beyond

THE FACULTY

Alex Alonso, Experienced Doula, holder of women’s wisdom
Ritual for Pregnancy & The Postnatal Period

Alex joins us in the Ritual for Women module of the course including Blessingway and Closing the Bones ceremonies. Alex is passionate about birth. She lived in Africa for over 10 years (and birthed both her daughters there), in Brasil, Europe and now Asia where she works with local traditional midwives. Her experience gives her a global and multicultural perspective in the honouring of women and their different realities. She feels a deep connection to the sacred circle of women who she feels committed to serving in so many ways. She weaves her life between her work as a devoted birth keeper for the last 12 years, working to create sacred ritual and ceremony for women for 12 years, as well as 15 years of massage therapist experience. Alex homeschooled her 2 daughters in rural Portugal for 6 years before coming to Indonesia where she currently lives.

Audrey Sarquilla, Bhakta, Tantrika & Yogini
Bhakti Yoga (chanting)

Audrey Sarquilla will be offering the Bhakti Module and Chanting for the course. Bhakta, Tantrika & Yogini, Audrey’s offerings come from over 26 years of a multi lineage journey. Audrey guides yoga classes and trainings, kirtan and women’s circles as a form of self-discovery and empowerment rooted in many traditions including Western Traditional Mysteries, Ashtanga, Bhakti and Tantra yogas. Audrey’s classes are filled with heart, full of philosophical gems of understanding and awareness, expressed with humor, love and humility. Audrey created, owned and operated a yoga studio for several years in Encinitas, California where her heart and home will always reside. Audrey is now an international yoga teacher and trainer hosting workshops, retreats & trainings in the United States, India, Costa Rica, Italy and Bali.

Glenda Hamersley BNutr, Nutritionist
Nutrition for Conception, Pregnancy, Birthing & The Postnatal Period

Glenda provides a fascinating insight into how nutrition can support the health of mother and baby in all stages of pregnancy and the postnatal period
“As far back as my memory goes, I’ve been passionate about food, nutrients, the human body and the relationship between them all. Finally, I turned this passion into a career, getting a formal degree to learn all the intricate workings, the biochemistry, the pathophysiology, anatomy and physiology. Helping people navigate their journey from illness to ultimate health and wellness, empowering clients with ‘tools’ for change, has been a dream come true.”

Lianne Schwartz, Experienced Midwife
Integrated Anatomy and Physiology of the Prenatal & Postnatal Period

Lianne guides us through the Anatomy and Physiology part of the Yoga Teacher Training, highlighting this body of knowledge in a way that makes clear connections between Yoga Teaching and the changes women and babies experience in the Pre & Postnatal period. Lianne is an experienced midwife who is passionate about pregnancy and birth as a sacred transformative journey. She shares tools and wisdom to help every woman feel empowered in her own experience. In addition to almost 20 years as a practicing midwife, with a Masters degree in health research, Lianne is a mother, educator and intuitive healer. Along with her birth work, Lianne offers online pregnancy and birth courses and one to one healing sessions. She works for Griffith University researching, writing curriculum and teaching Master’s level Midwifery programmes.

Guest Contributors

Debra Pascali-Bonaro, filmmaker, doula trainer, childbirth educator & author
Sexuality in Pregnancy, Birth and the Postnatal Period

Debra Pascali-Bonaro is a world-renowned inspirational speaker, filmmaker, doula trainer, childbirth educator, and author. Debra’s latest book, an Amazon #1 New Release, The Ultimate Guide to Sex After Baby: Secrets to Love and Intimacy brings together her passion for pleasure in every aspect of life with her Jersey-Girl attitude of talking about what no one is talking about! Debra is a mother, grandmother and featured expert in parenting journals and media around the world. Debra Pascali-Bonaro is also Co-Chair of the International Childbirth Initiative and Chair of the International MotherBaby Childbirth Initiative both of which promote safe, respectful childbirth maternity care. She is a Lamaze International childbirth educator, birth and postpartum doula trainer with DONA International, Director of the award-winning documentary Orgasmic Birth: The Best-Kept Secret, co-writer of “Orgasmic Birth: Your Guide to a Safe, Satisfying and Pleasurable Birth” and the Founder & President of the revolutionary online childbirth class Pain to Power, which prepares expectant mothers, fathers, and partners to be positively prepared for birth and focuses on the intimate and sacred nature of birth. Debra’s passion comes from her over 30 years of working with women, men, midwives, doulas, physicians and nurses in over 40 countries bringing comfort, love, and pleasure to birth and life!

Debra Pascali-Bonaro is a world-renowned inspirational speaker, filmmaker, doula trainer, childbirth educator, and author. Debra’s latest book, an Amazon #1 New Release, The Ultimate Guide to Sex After Baby: Secrets to Love and Intimacy brings together her passion for pleasure in every aspect of life with her Jersey-Girl attitude of talking about what no one is talking about! Debra is a mother, grandmother and featured expert in parenting journals and media around the world. Debra Pascali-Bonaro is also Co-Chair of the International Childbirth Initiative and Chair of the International MotherBaby Childbirth Initiative both of which promote safe, respectful childbirth maternity care. She is a Lamaze International childbirth educator, birth and postpartum doula trainer with DONA International, Director of the award-winning documentary Orgasmic Birth: The Best-Kept Secret, co-writer of “Orgasmic Birth: Your Guide to a Safe, Satisfying and Pleasurable Birth” and the Founder & President of the revolutionary online childbirth class Pain to Power, which prepares expectant mothers, fathers, and partners to be positively prepared for birth and focuses on the intimate and sacred nature of birth. Debra’s passion comes from her over 30 years of working with women, men, midwives, doulas, physicians and nurses in over 40 countries bringing comfort, love, and pleasure to birth and life!

Jero Luh Manis, Balinese Priestess and Yogini
Opening Blessing Ceremony

Born and raised in Bali, Manis is a Balinese priestess, who has responsibility in her local community to lead ceremonies. On becoming a Jero, she found her sensitivity to energy heightened, so turned to yoga and mediation to balance it. Luh Manis is the epitiome of the Shakti of Bali, authentic, ethical, powerful and harmonious. Manis leads retreats, spiritual excursions in Bali to holy sites and meditation and yoga classes in Ubud, Bali.

Sydne Fouche, Experienced Doula & Mother of 5
Doula Work and Prenatal Yoga Teaching

Sydne joins us to share on the links between doula work and Prenatal Yoga Teaching and creating a community of support for women.

Sydne, mother of 5 and certified Kundalini Yoga Doula (KYDS) travels the globe, sharing her wisdom and love of birth, family and womanhood. Initiated as a birthkeeper by her first pregnancy and birth in 2009, Sydne has been guiding women on this journey since. Her rich experience is drawn from her own births and pregnancy losses, the women she serves as well as courses and certification programmes. Her work is influenced by the fundamentally spiritual aspects surrounding birth and it’s significance as a guide for spiritual growth and transformation. She explores the artistry of birth by connecting to the head, heart and hands of those whom work with her. She believes in her duty to serve birth to her highest ability, guided by the souls of the babies.

FULL 50hr COURSE CONTENT

An investment of 400USD gives you our full 50 hour self study package:

    • Full lifelong access to 50 hours of quality pre recorded video material, filmed in high standard professional quality in beautiful Bali.
    • Accompanying high quality detailed written notes for all sections of the course
    • 10 demonstration Prenatal and Postnatal Yoga video classes with Jo with teaching notes
    • Detailed asana focus videos with explanations including sun salutations for pregnancy, restorative yoga for pregnancy, standing & seated poses, transitions for pregnancy
    • Detailed Pranayama for Mothers videos with techniques and breakdown
    • Clear understanding of the needs of women in each trimester of pregnancy and applications for Yoga Classes explained by Jo
    • Practical Anatomy and Physiology for Pregnancy and Postnatal Yoga with qualified and experienced midwife
    • Learn Chanting through our Bhakti Yoga Focus with our Specialist Bhakti Yogini
    • Learn Ritual for Women with Specialist Alex Alonso including Blessingway and Closing the Bones
    • Understand the work of a doula to support women with Sydne Fouche
    • Nutrition for Pregnancy and Postnatal Period with Specialist Glenda Hamersley

All offered for 400USD

Spiritual Prenatal Yoga Teacher Training – 85hr YOGA ALLIANCE ACCREDITATION & 1:1 Mentorship

For a FURTHER INVESTMENT OF 600USD you will complete 35 hours to certify.

  • You will be guided through an additional 10 hour self study module with exceptional reading list and specific tasks
  • Be welcomed to an online community with a 10 week programme of scheduled online calls for each of the 10 Modules. Calls will be 1.5hrs of duration
  • Get to choose a start date for the online group, 4 per year
  • You will be held and honoured in ceremony for your chosen birth story (your own story as a baby or your baby)
  • You will be guided to plan, teach and record your own prenatal classes
  • You will share your Prenatal Teaching journey with the group as you begin your guided teaching practice
  • You will teach and record 2 full Prenatal Yoga Classes for detailed online support and feedback from Jo.
  • You will join an online ritual and closing graduation ceremony
  • You will have completed sufficient hours to be certified as an 85hr Prenatal Yoga Teacher with Return to the Self (Registered Prenatal School)
  • You will receive the certification to become a registered Prenatal Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance USA (open to 200 hour graduates after 30 hours of teaching according to YA global rules)

A TOTAL INVESTMENT OF 1,000USD for full online training and accreditation

  • As an option , you will also qualify to do the teaching assessment in person during any face to face teacher training held by Jo (the next in Abu Dhabi UAE in 2020, 2021 to include Bali and Dubai).

ONLINE GROUP COURSE SCHEDULE:

All calls are held on zoom and are recorded for you to access if you cannot attend live.  All calls are 1.5hrs maximum

Group size is limited to 10 women

What is the purpose of our online interaction?

  • To be supported by Jo and the group in your development

  • To support a group of women in their journey on the same path

  • To develop as a teacher and discuss teaching practice assignments

  • To ask questions and share after each module of material

There is one call per module of work (10 modules total)

AUGUST 2020 GROUP

TIME TBC

Call 1: Friday August 21st: Intention Setting

Call 2: Friday August 28th: Your birth story

Call 3: Friday September 4th: Sun Salutation Teaching Feedback

Call 4: Friday September 11th: Discussion on the energy body and pregnancy

Call 5: Friday September 18th: Discussion on The Sacred Pelvis

Call 6: Friday September 25th: Restorative Yoga & Deep Relaxation teaching practice

Call 7: Friday October 2nd: Preparation for teaching a class

Call 8: Friday October 9th: Follow up to first class teaching

Call 9: Friday October 16th: Preparation for teaching a full class

Call 10: Friday October 23rd: Birth as Spiritual transformation

Call 11: Friday October 30th: The Fourth Trimester: a discussion, career Q&A & graduation!

OCTOBER 2020 GROUP

TIME TBC

Call 1: Saturday October 3rd: Intention Setting

Call 2: Saturday October 10th: Your birth story

Call 3: Saturday October 17th: Sun Salutation Teaching Feedback

Call 4: Saturday October 24th: Discussion on the energy body and pregnancy

Call 5: Saturday October 31st: Discussion on The Sacred Pelvis

Call 6: Saturday November 7th: Restorative Yoga & Deep Relaxation teaching practice

Call 7: Saturday November 14th: Preparation for teaching a class

Call 8: Saturday November 21st: Follow up to first class teaching

Call 9: Saturday November 28th: Preparation for teaching a full class

Call 10: Saturday December 5th: Birth as Spiritual transformation

Call 11: Saturday December 12th: The Fourth Trimester: a discussion, career Q&A & graduation!

UPCOMING IN-PERSON FACE TO FACE COURSES

All in person courses include full access to the 50 hours of online video resources to assist your study

As 2020/2021 progresses, I will update plans for future in-person courses for late 2020/2021 including the UAE and BALI

The essence of the Spiritual Pregnancy YTT

This is a deeply Spiritual Pre and Postnatal Yoga Teacher Training for Yoginis, Birthworkers and those who hold space for women. It is for those whose purpose is supporting women in an intuitive earth energy pregnancy, an empowered birth and conscious motherhood.

This course is both spiritual and practical, nurturing and informative. We will focus on teaching the yoga skills to empower women to experience a healthy and conscious pregnancy and birth and enter motherhood fear free.

Pregnancy is a naturally arising opportunity to connect to earth and spirit and Intuitive Wisdom and our course reflects that. It also has a strong focus on Empowered and Ecstatic Birth which is every woman’s birthright. Our course includes the sacred goddess energies of the tantric Maha Vidyas and integrates a deep reverence of the divine feminine.

What is covered on the course?

Our yoga techniques and practices from asana, pranayama, chanting, deep relaxation, tantra and sacred ceremony are integrated and supported by our sessions on anatomy and physiology led by our qualified locally based midwives who are always aligned with our approach.  Our courses are fun, interactive, discursive (your experience is highly valued), practical and authentic.

Spiritual Pregnancy is taught be lead trainer Jo Arganaraz who has over 60 course graduates worldwide. Her approach is feminine, caring, humble, practical and spiritual. Jo is based in Bali, Ubud and has 2 young children.

Spiritual Pregnancy  has met the high standards set by Yoga Alliance USA (the global version of Yoga Alliance) and is registered as a 85 hour programme.

Click on the Module dropdown menus for a detailed look at the course structure

Our syllabus empowers you to:

  • Build on your existing yoga teaching knowledge (asana, pranayama, mudra and chanting) to deliver safe and nourishing group prenatal classes for all trimesters of pregnancy including the postnatal period with a practical understanding of the physiology of pregnancy

  • Practice teaching with feedback from tutors to deliver safe and effective group prenatal classes for all trimesters of pregnancy

  • Develop clarity on dealing with pregnant students who attend general/regular classes including knowing who should/shouldn’t join and asana and transitions to offer. Awareness of where to refer to a medical practitioner

  • Ensure your classes are informative, uplifting, supportive, empowering and non judgmental including delivering effective feeling cues

  • Refine the language you use as a teacher, including feminine, yin-field cueing.

  • Develop your ability to theme a class including content, language cues and bhava (mood) of the class

  • Adapt a pregnancy class for mothers-to-be with prenatal ailments such as muscular lower back pain, swollen joints, pelvic girdle pain, low blood pressure and fatigue

  • Lean practical ways yoga can help birth and offer yoga techniques for 1:1 clients, partner birth workshops etc.

  • Enquire into how birth can be orgasmic and pleasurable. Enquire into the impact of the pain paradigm, the medicalization of birth and the effect of very high caesarian section rates on the future of humanity

  • Understand and honour pregnancy as part of the cyclical wisdom of a women’s life. Gain an overview of the siddhis (magic powers) of womanhood and the spiritual gifts of pregnancy, birth and lactation/postnatal period

  • Connect to the wisdom of practices that honour the female body and the divine feminine in the landscape of contemporary yoga (including power and sexual abuses) including understanding the place of women and female masters in the history of yoga

  • Understand how Yoga can be a tool for navigating Pregnancy Loss and placing such experiences as part of the sacred feminine and our journey as woman

  • Connect to the goddess energies of pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period including study of the energies of Maha Vidya Bhuvaneshwari, Chinnamasta and Tara (in a non religious context)

  • Develop skills for holding a circle of women in sisterhood and how to foster and build trust relationships and community.

  • Develop insight and practical methodology to support women’s ritual to mark the sacred transitions from maiden to mother in Blessingway and to close a life chapter after birth or loss (Closing The Bones Ceremony).

FULL MODULE BREAKDOWN (click on each to expand)

1. MODULE 1: COURSE INTRODUCTION

  • Join the Course Blessing with Balinese Priestess Luh Manis – honouring mother earth, abundance and the cycles of life
  • Learn and practice the Shanti Pat Mantra for Protection, Nourishment and to create Good Energy
  • Prenatal Yoga Class Example 1: Surrender and Let Go
  • Prenatal Yoga Class Example 2: Nourishment and Nurture: The Energy of Bhuvaneshwari
  • Course Overview: Empowering Pregnancy, Birth and Motherhood through Yoga
  • Placing Pregnancy in a Body of Cyclical Wisdom (Our cyclical nature as women and her life stages)
  • Sisterhood and Space Holding in Prenatal and Postnatal Yoga Classes

2. ASANA FOR PREGNANCY: THE FOUNDATION

  • The history of women in yoga and the implications for Post-Lineage Yoga and Prenatal Yoga
  • Yoga Asana for Pregnancy and what nourishes the pregnant woman and her baby (including beginners to yoga and advanced practitioners)
  • Asana Demo: Gentle Sun Salutations for all stages of Pregnancy
  • Asana Demo: Anjanyasana Sun Salutation – a more dynamic sun salute for pregnancy
  • Asana Demo: Ashtanga Vinaysa A – Sun Salutation for Pregnancy
  • Asana Demo: Ashtanga Vinaysa B – Sun Salutation for Pregnancy
  • Asana Demo: Chandra Namaskar: Moon Salutation for Pregnancy

3. THE ENERGY BODY AND PREGNANCY: THE FOUNDATION

  • Pranayama for Pregnancy: Practicing for the landscape of the pregnant woman’s energy body and her baby
  • The energy anatomy of motherhood from preconception to birth (with special guest to be revealed!)
  • Pranayama Demo 1: Breath of Life/Full Yogic Breath for Pregnancy
  • Pranayama Demo 2: Nadi Shodana for Pregnancy
  • Pranayama Demo 3: Ujjayi Breath for Pregnancy

4. THE BREASTS AND THE SACRED PELVIS: YOGA FOR WOMEN

  • A breast and womb re-orientation for yoga
  • Breast Connection for Pregnancy
  • The sacred anatomy and physiology of the pelvis: foundations of understanding
  • Mapping the Pelvis: Experiential Learning with our qualified midwife
  • Introduction to internal yoga (the yoga of the pelvic floor)
  • Magic of the womb – the yoga of conception

5. THE FIRST TRIMESTER

  • Class Example: Prenatal Yoga for the first trimester: inviting new life
  • Class Example: Yoga for Women after first trimester Pregnancy loss
  • First Trimester Anatomy and Physiology
  • Pregnancy Physiology Foundations: Understanding the big picture
    (The interweave between the physiology of pregnancy and birthing and the practice of teaching yoga)
  • Nutrition for the First Trimester of Pregnancy with specialist
  • First trimester Yoga Practices Overview
  • Asana Demonstration: Restorative Poses
  • Bhakti Yoga and Pregnancy: An introduction to the yoga of devotion
  • Chanting: Jai Ma
  • Chanting: Om
  • Language for Prenatal Yoga Classes: The yoga of language and feeling

6. THE SECOND TRIMESTER

  • Example Class: Balance
  • Example Class: Strength
  • Anatomy and Physiology of the Second Trimester
  • Second Trimester Yoga Practices Overview
  • Asana Demo: Standing Poses
  • Asana Demo: Seated Poses
  • Asana Demo: Vinyasa and Asana Transitions for Pregnant Women
  • Chanting: Gayatri Mantra
  • Pranayama Demo: Bija Mantras/Baby Sound Bath
  • Second Trimester Nutrition with Glenda

7. YOGA FOR PREGNANCY AILMENTS

  • Anatomy and Physiology for Pregnancy Ailments and Complications and the boundaries of the role of the Yoga Teacher
  • Asana and Practices Demo: Yoga for Back Discomfort in Pregnancy
  • Asana and Practices Demo: Yoga for Oedema (swelling)
  • Asana and Practices Demo:Yoga for Heartburn
  • Asana and Practices Demo:Yoga for Pelvic Girdle Pain

8. THE THIRD TRIMESTER

  • CLASS EXAMPLE: Moving beyond fear
  • Anatomy and Physiology for the Third Trimester
  • Third Trimester Yoga Practices including Apana and the Yoga of the Transition to Birth
  • Pranayama Demo: Golden Thread Breath
  • Pranayama Demo: Golden Thread and Ujjayi Breath
  • Pranayama Demo: Brahmari (Bumblebee Breath)
  • Blessingway Ceremonies: Ritual for Pregnant Women: A conversation with specialist Alex and Jo
  • An example Blessingway ceremony (late 2020)
  • Chanting: Mangala Mantra for all beings
  • Third  Trimester Nutrition with Specialist

9. THE YOGA OF BIRTHING

  • CLASS EXAMPLE: Example Yoga for Birth Workshop
  • Chanting: The Green Tara Mantra of Protection and Compassion
  • Foundations of Empowered Birth with Midwife
  • The Yoga of Birth, Active Birth, Positions and Birthing Breath
  • Birth and Sexuality, Orgasmic Birth and Free Birth – A talk with an expert (late 2020)
  • Doula work and Yoga with specialist Doula
  • An introduction to Bumi Sehat Birthing Centres (late 2020) – our Karma Yoga cause

10. POSTNATAL YOGA: The 4TH TRIMESTER

  • EXAMPLE CLASS: Honouring the Postnatal Body
  • EXAMPLE CLASS: The energy of CHINNAMASTA and POSTNATAL YOGA
  • Anatomy and Physiology of the Postnatal perio
  • The differences between Prenatal and Postnatal Yoga Classes
  • Respecting and Honouring the woman’s body in a postnatal yoga class with Midwife
  • PRANAYAMA: Healing Breath
  • BREASTFEEDING MEDITATION
  • Working with women and the pelvic floor in the postnatal period
  • Diastisis Recti and the Postnatal Body
  • Chanting: To all beings
  • Closing The Bones Ceremonies
  • A pre recording of an example Closing the Bones Ceremony

11. CERTIFICATION: TEACHING PRACTICE AND HOMEWORK TASKS

  • Suggested Format of a Prenatal Yoga Class
  • Reading List and Tasks: Guidance
  • Teaching Practice 1: Teaching A Sun Salutation
  • Teaching Practice 2: Setting up and teaching the 6 restorative poses
  • Teaching Practice 3: Teaching a half an hour Class
  • Teaching Practice 4: Teaching a one hour Prenatal Yoga Class
  • Marketing for Prenatal Yoga Teachers

Why study prenatal and postnatal yoga?

Learning to teach prenatal yoga enables you to specialize and create diversity in your own teaching.  Prenatal yoga is soulful, beautiful and a community based teaching which is incredibly powerful to teach.  Becoming a prenatal teacher and supporting women is a nurturing and abundant journey.  Many graduates describe their prenatal classes as ‘their favourite’ amongst their classes for a good reason.

Prenatal Yoga Teacher training is also a healing journey for many women.  This healing can take the form or ‘recovery’ from a traditional approach to yoga which disrespects women’s body, assimilating and honouring your own challenging pregnancy and birth experience or pathing the way for your future family.  It can also spark the light of awareness for the need to offer feminine energy practices for other stages of a woman’s life cycle and a love of this work.

And of course, as regular yoga teacher, it is much safer to have specialist knowledge of prenatal and postnatal yoga in order to better serve clients who attend regular yoga classes.

Do I have to be a yoga teacher to join this course? 

The basic on-line training (priced at 400USD) is open to anybody (man or woman) with a solid interest in this work.

For accreditation, it is important to come to the course with pre-existing yoga training (the yoga alliance advise a 200 hour foundation) or a strong background in yoga.  However, for some professionals working in the field of midwifery, birth education, doula support, health professionals supporting women etc. or with those an established practice and understanding of yoga there is flexibility.  Some of our graduates who have a background in yoga have started with the Prenatal YTT (when they were pregnant for example) and then gone on to take a 200 hour course at a later stage.

Testimonials from the Prenatal Yoga Teacher Training

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