Myths & Common Questions About Pregnancy Yoga — What You Really Need to Know
Pregnancy yoga, often called prenatal yoga, is one of the most supportive, empowering wellness practices for expectant parents — and it’s also at the heart of our 100-hr Online Pregnancy Yoga Teacher Training at LushTums.
While many mums and wellness professionals are curious, a few myths can make people unsure about what pregnancy yoga really offers. Let’s clear those up so you can feel informed, safe and confident — whether you’re thinking about joining pregnancy yoga classes or even training to teach yourself.
Is pregnancy yoga safe?
Yes — when it’s prenatal yoga designed specifically for pregnancy and led by a knowledgeable teacher. Safe pregnancy yoga classes focus on gentle, supportive movement, mindful breathwork and postures adapted for each trimester. A qualified pregnancy yoga teacher knows how to modify practices to honour both body and baby, making pregnancy yoga a nurturing, accessible experience for nearly every stage of pregnancy.
Do I need yoga experience to join prenatal yoga classes?
Not at all. One of the biggest pregnancy yoga myths is that you have to be experienced or flexible. In fact, prenatal yoga is often slower and more mindful than general classes, and many people begin yoga for the first time during pregnancy, about 90% of our students! It’s open to beginners and seasoned practitioners alike, so there really something for everyone!
Will pregnancy yoga help with labour?
Many people find that it does. Prenatal yoga tools such as breath awareness, body positioning, pelvic mobility and relaxation can support physical comfort and emotional calm — both during pregnancy and as you prepare for birth. These skills are incredibly useful for labour, helping you stay grounded and confident. You can listen to some of our students real birth experiences and how LushTums classes helped them over on our podcast (Katie and Lucy are recent shares!)
Does pregnancy yoga just stretch the body?
Pregnancy yoga is so much more than stretching! While gentle movement is part of it, prenatal yoga also includes breathwork, pelvic and core support, mindfulness, and mental-emotional grounding — all of which can help with discomfort, fatigue, stress and emotional wellbeing throughout pregnancy. Classes ease common aches and pains, help you feel part of a community as you make friends for life, and we can almost guarantee you’ll get a proper night’s sleep! For some more info on how Pregnancy Yoga reduces stress and improves mental well-being you can read this research here.
What are the benefits of pregnancy yoga?
A growing number of women report that prenatal yoga helps them:
Reduce lower back and pelvic discomfort
Improve posture and balance
Sleep better
Manage stress and anxiety
Build confidence in body and breath
Connect with baby
Prepare for birth physically and emotionally
These benefits make pregnancy yoga one of the most popular and gentle movement practices for expectant bodies. You can read more evidence based research on the benefits of Pregnancy Yoga here and also here.
🌼 Thinking Big: Become a Teacher Too
If pregnancy yoga has inspired you, why not explore our Online Pregnancy Yoga Teacher Training? In just around three months you can become a confident pregnancy yoga teacher — ready to lead your own classes and support women through pregnancy and birth.
Learn more about the course structure and what you’ll study on our Course Curriculum page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is pregnancy yoga safe for all trimesters?
Yes — pregnancy yoga classes can be safe in all trimesters when modifications are used and the practice is guided by a trained instructor. However most people choose to begin around 15 weeks once the nausea and fatigue shifts! A good prenatal program focuses on gentle, supportive movement tailored to individual changes.
Can beginners take prenatal yoga classes?
Absolutely — many prenatal yoga classes are designed for beginners or those new to yoga, offering slow, mindful movement that feels accessible and supportive throughout pregnancy.
Does pregnancy yoga help with labour?
Many women find that breathwork, pelvic mobility, and mindfulness learned in pregnancy yoga support them during labour and birth preparation. We often receive wonderful feedback from our clients saying how much the practices helped with birth (however the babies come out!).
💕 Final Thoughts
There’s a reason pregnancy yoga continues to grow in popularity: it supports mind, body and spirit in a way that few other practices can. Whether you’re exploring pregnancy yoga classes for yourself or considering becoming a certified pregnancy yoga teacher, this work meets people exactly where they are — with care, safety and empowerment.
Join us in classes near you all around the UK and around the world - find a class here! Or if you don’t currently have a local LushTums teacher near you and you’d like to try all our signature practices, you can watch our professionally filmed, high quality videos on our digital platform here. Or to train with us and becoming a LushTums teacher, so you too can share these benefits and help other pregnant women and expectant people in your community, find out about our trainings here!
We look forward to welcoming you to LushTums!
Our founder Clare still teaches classes in Brighton & Hove. If you’d like to join her you can register for classes here.