About
Bindu is a registered midwife and qualified pregnancy yoga teacher with many years experience. Her philosophy is that pregnancy, labour and birth are part of the natural life cycle of a woman. Her own personal experience of practicing yoga throughout her three pregnancies, plus the knowledge of midwifery lends a quality of depth to her yoga classes.
These classes are not merely about stretching and doing various postures & breathing techniques but also about guiding the women to a place of strength where she trusts her body and her instincts. Bindu is committed to creating a safe place where women can feel at ease with the tremendous physical, emotional & psychological changes that pregnancy brings about. Often in our culture, the over medicalisation of pregnancy and birth can increase anxiety and fear in the pregnant woman. Bindu’s classes celebrate the wonderful, transformative journey of pregnancy so that the woman can look forward, with excitement to the birth of her baby.
Guidelines for Yoga During Pregnancy
- Yoga can be started at the beginning of the second trimester (from 12 weeks onwards) and continued right up to the birth.
- Suitable for all levels of fitness. No previous experience is necessary.
Pregnancy Yoga Class
- Safe yoga postures to release tension and strengthen the body.
- Breathing techniques to calm the mind and reduce fear, which can be used during pregnancy birth and beyond.
- Relaxation to dissolve the symptoms of stress.
- Positive visualisations that strengthen the bond with your baby
- Meeting other expectant mothers
- Physical & psychological preparation for labour and birth.
Every woman is different. Every pregnancy and birth is different. Whatever your hopes, plans or previous experience, the more you get to know your body through the practice of yoga, the more you can enjoy your pregnancy and trust your instincts when the journey of birth begins.
Antenatal/Birth Preparation Classes
Individual Sessions
The aim of the class is to prepare and give confidence to couples for labour, birth and the early weeks of parenthood.
Ideally completed 4-6 weeks prior to estimated due date.
The individual sessions (duration 4 hrs) are for first time parents as well as those already with children who wish to take a refresher course.
Topics covered include:
- Signs and Stages of labour.
- Knowing when to go to hospital.
- Positions, movements & breathing techniques that can assist in labour progress and diminish fear and pain.
- Coping Strategies
- Pain relief options
- The role of partners as the support person during labour
- Possible complications that may arise during labour
- Induction of labour and natural alternatives
- Caesarean Birth
- Meeting your baby
- Anything else parents wish to discuss and be informed about.
Birthing Ball and Active Birth Workshops
This workshop is suitable anytime in the 3rd trimester. It is a single workshop held monthly on Saturday mornings 10:30-13:00 for small groups of couples.
It’s a practical session on ways to cope in labour using the birthing ball and various other strategies including breathing techniques. Women who use movements and different positions tend to have a shorter duration of labour and lower experience of pain. This workshop has a strong emphasis on how partners can support the woman and feel confident and involved in the birthing journey. This workshop is suitable for first time expectant parents and those who already have given birth. It is a very useful class for women planning a VBAC. It is not a complete antenatal class but it’s complimentary to the CUMH antenatal classes.
Timetable and Price
Pregnancy Yoga Classes
- Every Tuesday and Wednesday at 18:30 to 19:45.
- A block of five consecutive weeks costs €75.
- A sample class is €15 if you wish to try one class before committing to a block.
- Class size is limited to facilitate individual needs.
- Morning classes are available subject to demand.
- Drop in classes available only if there is space as consistency and continuity of attendance bestow the benefits of yoga during pregnancy.#
Antenatal Classes / Birth Preparation
- Group classes are held one Saturday a month from 9:00 to 16:00.
- Individual couples sessions (4hrs) are held in individuals own home if desired.
- Flexible times to suit couples.
- Contact for pricing.
Bookings and Location
For bookings contact Bindu Begley Merz, Registered Midwife and Yoga teacher at:
- +353 86 102 6309
- bindubegley@gmail.com
Classes are held at: St Josephs Church Community Center, Glanmire, Cork
Testimonials
Lisa, CUMH Labour Ward and DOMINO Midwife:
“My experience of yoga during pregnancy was very positive, having never practiced yoga before, I was unsure what to expect. I found it very helpful for muscle aches and hip pain, the various exercises enabled me to focus on my breathing skills which is key during labour. I also found it relaxing and helped me to switch off from a busy day. Bindu is excellent and very informative and also provided a question and answer session at the end of the class with great tips and advice. I would highly recommend yoga during pregnancy.
As a practicing domino midwife our motto is “let labour be your greatest achievement not your greatest fear” yoga can help women achieve that goal of a natural positive birth experience. Women who practiced yoga during pregnancy seemed very prepared for labour and showed no fear in my experience. I observed women using yoga techniques to alleviate their labour pain. I believe it helps women to focus on labour as a positive instead of a negative.”
Tracy:
“Thank you so much for all your help and advice during the classes. I know it helped me through both pregnancy & labour hope if we’re lucky enough to have another down the line, I’ll be looking for your classes again.“
Ann-Marie:
“Bindu’s classes are one of the best parts of being pregnant! This is my third pregnancy attending her classes.
I love having that time to switch off and focus on myself and this baby as I am so busy the rest of the time.”
Michelle:
“My pregnancy was an IVF pregnancy after years of trying. I was very nervous. My GP recommended yoga for gentle movements and relaxation. I found Bindu’s classes great.
The postures really helped my body & gave me confidence during the pregnancy and definitely helped for the birth. Also the fact that Bindu is a qualified midwife was very reassuring.”
Emily:
“I attended Bindus yoga classes on my 2nd pregnancy. My first birth was very difficult and I ended up with an emergency section.I found the classes really helped me to relax and I attribute my successful VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Caesarean) to the postures and breathing I learned over the months I attended classes.”