Yoga

Based in the East Hollywood neighborhood of Los Angeles, Katharine Whetzel is a certified full-spectrum doula and registered yoga instructor offering prenatal yoga. She firmly believes yoga is for every body. In her prenatal yoga classes, you can expect adaptations to traditional asanas (yoga poses) to make them accessible for all stages of pregnancy. With Katharine, you work together to gain strength and create more space in your body to find ease and comfort as you and your baby continue to grow. To schedule a prenatal yoga session, contact Rose Moon Birthing Services.

What are the benefits of prenatal yoga?

Prenatal yoga can provide a myriad of benefits to birthing people. Prenatal yoga can:

  • Foster a connection between your mind, body, and baby

  • Teach breathing techniques to support you during birth 

  • Reduce physical discomfort

  • Ease constipation

  • Support mental health 

  • Improve sleep

  • Reduce stress

  • Increase strength and flexibility 

Prenatal yoga provides opportunities for you to practice skills that can help make pregnancy and childbirth easier to manage. 

What does prenatal yoga look like?

Generally, Katharine’s prenatal yoga classes are a moderately paced hatha-style yoga that links breath to movement. You can expect seated, kneeling, and standing postures with transitions catered to a growing belly. 

What if I’m not flexible?

Then yoga is perfect for you! Yoga is for every body type. When done consistently, yoga can help improve your flexibility if that’s a goal you have, but it’s not necessary for a strong yoga practice. 

How is prenatal yoga different than “regular” yoga?

Katharine's hatha-style prenatal yoga classes link breath with movement. The difference is the pacing is a bit slower than a vinyasa style class to allow time to move into postures. You’ll also hear more cues for using specific props to support your alignment. Katharine incorporates specific poses to target common areas of discomfort during pregnancy and refrains from poses that can exacerbate some of the less pleasant pregnancy symptoms. 

To learn more about prenatal yoga classes, contact Rose Moon Birth Services.