I’m excited to have my longtime friend Aparna Ramesh on the podcast to talk about prenatal yoga. We start by unpacking how much effort and intensity is appropriate during pregnancy and why prenatal yoga doesn’t have to mean an entirely gentle or restorative practice. We talk about balancing effort and rest, why “listen to your body” isn’t always enough guidance, and how the talk test and normalized breaks can give students more agency in their practice. We also get into the three trimesters and the physical and psychological changes teachers should understand, including how the focus of practice can shift as pregnancy progresses.
From there, we explore heat and hot yoga during pregnancy, what teachers should focus on in each trimester, and how to approach mixed-level classes. We talk about strengthening, pelvic floor work, modifications, props, and lying on the back during pregnancy. Then we move beyond asana into pranayama, prana, chanting and sound, visualization, and Yoga Nidra and sankalpa. We wrap up with Aparna’s advice for teachers on educating themselves, teaching with confidence, keeping prenatal practice functional rather than ego-driven, and helping students develop a sustainable self-practice.
Aparna Ramesh is the Founder and Lead Teacher of Still Within Yoga and Healing Arts. She brings over 15 years of yoga teaching experience and holds credentials as an E-RYT 500 and E-RPYT, alongside certifications in Reiki, Sound Healing, and Quantum Healing. With over 25 years of healthcare experience, a Master’s degree in Speech Pathology, and an MBA, she successfully balances running her yoga school with a full-time corporate role in healthcare. This unique background bridges the scientific and the spiritual, anchoring her work in a practical, evidence-based approach while treating each person as a whole, interconnected being.