What are the benefits of Pregnancy Yoga?

A pregnancy yoga class is a gentle way to explore your body and mind, ease out some of the symptoms of pregnancy, meet other mums-to-be and give you the physical and mental support and confidence you need to navigate your journey through your unique pregnancy… and beyond.

In this blog post I explore the benefits of pregnancy yoga, what happens in a pregnancy yoga class, and some of the scientific research into pregnancy yoga. Most notable is the positive effects pregnancy yoga has on reducing the length and pain of labour and birth as well as the easing of pregnancy symptoms.

Pregnancy Yoga, Yoga for Pregnancy, Yoga and Wellbeing, Yoga TipsSarah CloverApril 14, 2025Pregnancy Yoga, top tipsComment

Journal Practice - Prompts for Spring Equinox reflection

Spring Equinox marks the first day of Spring and is celebrated in the Northern Hemisphere between 20th and 23rd March. It is when there is equal day and night and signals the start of the increase of light as days become longer towards summer.

In this blog post I explore some of the history, stories and images of Spring Equinox celebrations. I reflect on the qualities of Spring and how we can use the transition point from Winter to Spring to help us to reflect on our lives, take time enjoy the new energies of spring, and to set some intentions for the coming months.

There’s some beautiful poems and some journal prompts for you including a pdf download.

Yoga and Wellbeing, Yoga Practice, JournalingSarah CloverMarch 17, 2025Wheel of the Year, yoga practice, journalingComment

Postnatal Support – the 6 best postnatal books

When we are pregnant we spend a lot of time preparing for labour and birth, buying clothes and kit for baby. We focus on the 9 months or so leading up to baby arriving. But we often spend zero time preparing for what comes next!

In this blog post you will find my recommendations for some of the best books for postnatal recovery.

Read them during pregnancy if you can to arm yourself with places to refer back to as you navigate the ups and downs of the first few days, weeks and months of caring for your baby 24 / 7 on little sleep. But you can of course use them anytime after baby has arrived.

There’s not as much information out there for postnatal recovery as there is for pregnancy labour and birth, and in the UK we are pretty much left to our own devices after our 8 week check. But I have gathered what I consider the best books for postpartum recovery and postnatal support and would love you to read them, listen to them, buy them or borrow them from a friend or library. You won’t regret it and they will be your guiding hand for the first 12 months of parenthood.

Postnatal Yoga, Yoga and WellbeingSarah CloverFebruary 14, 2025top tips, Postnatal Yoga, mental health, motherhood, postnatal supportComment

At Winter Solstice

During winter we let go of light just as trees let go of leaves, we look towards cosy and warmth and probably more time indoors, and we should rest more as our ancestors once did when they followed the seasons and the longer nights more closely than we do today.

Winter is nature's sign to slow down, let go of brighter months and spend more time resting and reflecting. The cycles of the seasons can support us so much if we listen, feel and follow them rather than fight against them.

This blog invites you to reflect on your year and take time to rest. I also share some beautiful words from the poet and philosopher John O’Donohue.

Meditation, Yoga philosophy, Yoga and WellbeingSarah CloverDecember 17, 2024yoga quotes, yoga philosophy

10 Ways to Use a Blanket

This blog is about using a Blanket to support your yoga. You can buy specific yoga blankets, but any firm blanket will work.

BKS Iyengar was credited with popularising the use of yoga props through his school of yoga. Over the years many yoga props and supports have been developed to support the spectrum of yoga poses but you can’t go wrong with the basics. Simple yoga props include: belts, bricks, blocks, blankets, chairs, bolsters, cushions and using a wall.

A blanket can be a useful support for any yoga student. In this blog I share a few ideas on how to use your blanket to support you in ten common yoga poses.

Yoga and Wellbeing, Yoga Practice, Yoga TipsSarah CloverNovember 8, 2024yoga tips, yoga class

N.O.U.R.I.S.H. yourself by creating a 'To Be' list

Lots of us have ‘To Do’ lists – but do you have a ‘To Be’ list?

I came across this idea recently and thought it was brilliant. Ensuring that you have time to just ‘be’ is so important in our busy world. It’s more important for our health and wellbeing than all the stuff we have ‘to do’.

In this blog is a little inspiration to create your own ‘To be’ list, using the acronym N.O.U.R.I.S.H.

There’s also a PDF you can download to help you.

Going Upside Down

When we think of yoga poses that take our body upside down, headstand and shoulderstand probably spring to mind first.

But there are lots of yoga poses that take our head lower than our heart that are much more accessible, and provide the same benefits.

In this blog post I show you 5 simple and accessible inversions and explain the benefits of going upside down.

10 Ways to Use a Belt

This blog is about using a Yoga Belt. You can buy specific yoga belts, but any soft, non stretchy, belt will work or even a long scarf.

A belt can be a useful support for any yoga student to help you to support a yoga pose; find your way into a yoga pose more fully; and in restorative yoga, belts can be really helpful to help hold parts of the body so that the body can rest and enjoy the benefits of the pose without the effort of holding the pose

In this blog I share a few ideas on how to use your belt to support you in ten common yoga poses.

Ten Years, Yoga and Wellbeing, Yoga Practice, Yoga TipsSarah CloverMarch 19, 2024yoga tips, yoga class, Ten Years

B.R.A.I.N.

In this blog post I explain the acronym B.R.A.I.N.

It is a really useful tool to use when making choices, and is especially well known in the world of Pregnancy, Labour and Birth, when having to make choices can come quickly and without much warning. I’ve included a free B.R.A.I.N. card to print out to use at antenatal appointments, through labour, birth and postnatally.

B.R.A.I.N. can also be used by anyone for day to day, and more complex decisions. I invite you to have a read and see if this tool could be helpful for you.

A Mindful Month

January, a new start. Welcome to the new year.

If you’ve read my blogs before, you know that I am not one for new years resolutions. Why add more pressure to your life?

Instead I like to think of intentions. Intentions feel more gentle, they offer less chance for failure if we don’t ‘stick’ to them like resolutions. Intentions are a way to offer some direction, but with space for curiosity and time to explore the journey we we make our way towards them.

This year I’ve created a ‘Mindful Month’ to start the year. A little prompt for each day to find a mindful moment to re-connect to yourself, to take a pause, to do something that brings you some joy and as a result will bring you into the present moment. More happiness, less stress.

Read the blog here and access your free download to stick on your fridge…

Yoga and Wellbeing, Yoga PracticeSarah CloverJanuary 1, 2024yoga tips, mental health, top tips

Occasional Thoughts Blog

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