Prenatal Exercise Classes?

M

Monty

Registered User
Hello everyone,

I'm currently 19 weeks pregnant and keen to attend regular prenatal exercise classes. I've had a look through the recommendations in the directory but haven't been able to find any up-to-date information. I'm keen to do yoga or pilates and also interested in any fitness classes/aqua aerobics (it's so hot at the moment, I thought water sports might be a good idea!). What types of classes/where is everybody going to keep fit during their pregnancies?

So far I have found that Yoga Central and Iyengar Yoga HK are not offering any scheduled prenatal yoga classes anymore. Yoga Limbs and the Yoga Room have two classes a week (although at not at the best times) and the Matilda has one pilates class a week. I've seen that Pure Fitness and Pure Yoga have classes at good times but am wondering if I need to have a membership (which will involve a lengthy commitment no doubt), as opposed to a more casual 'drop in' option that I was hoping for. Is there any other classes available that I haven't discovered yet? Does anybody have an feedback on Anahata Yoga's prenatal classes?

Keen to hear what other women are doing to stay active! :)
 
I did Pure Yoga but I don't think you can casually drop in. In Stanley there's a place called Flex and I'm sure you can do it by the class or enroll in short term packages.

There are individual as well as group lessons...
 
hi monty,

i'm currently in my 22nd week of pregnancy. i've recently joined prenatal yoga classes at planet yoga in central, tied up to a minimum 12 months contract. classes run twice a week on tues & sat afternoons, 1.5 hours each class. i heard pure yoga is charging HK$680 per month. meanwhile planet yoga charges around HK$400 - $580 / month.
 
Just a very personal opinion, I wouldn't trust Planet... From my understanding, their instructors are not required to hold officially recognised certifications. I'm a fitness instructor myself and this is purely based on what I hear within the industry.

I've just had a baby myself and I truly belief pilates is the best thing ever to prepare and protect the pregnant woman, pre and post natal. By directly strengthening your core and pelvic floor, it helps to prevent back pain (caused by the extra load of your baby), stress incontinence and the "pregnancy waddle"!!!
 
I've been going to physio to help my back after having a baby, and this physio place does pilates for rehabilitation which my medical insurance will cover (and I have stingy medical insurance too!!) - I've found it REALLY helpful. The place I go to is Posture Plus and I've noticed while I was there that they have different things specifically for prenatal and postnatal. You can call them if you're interested, the numbers are on the webpage. It's not as much of a social thing as some of the others - but I've noticed the benefits, and they were 10x better than I was expecting!!
 
You will need a membership for Pure Fitness and Pure Yoga. At Pure Yoga they let you do your first class for free, but I found the class very crowded. I ended up going to Yoga Limbs which was much more relaxing and had smaller classes with no more than 10-12 people per class and you can just buy a 12 session pass.
 
Hey Monty

No recommendations but I am 18 weeks and looking for the same as you, so just wanted to let you know that we are Dec buddies and are both expecting Christmas bundles :yeah2

If you ever wanted to get together or just chat, send me a PM. I miss not having a Dec mummies group here - I have one in Oz and it's great support.

Cheers!
 
I go to the prenatal pilates classes run by the Matilda hospital. They're only on Tuesday afternoons, but are cheap at $150 per class and as long as you call to book a place in advance (only fits 7 or 8 people in class) you aren't locked in to anything. I've been going since 14 weeks and it's been pretty good.
Otherwise, if your health insurance covers physio, I'd suggest doing one one one pilates sessions with some of the physios that do that, or even some plans cover prenatal pilates sessions. If you want details of a good physio, PM me as I'm really happy with mine.
 
Thank you for all of the wonderful replies!

I had seen the classes at Flex, Lesliefu but Stanley is just too far for me to travel. I was there on Saturday and it took me an hour of travel each way!

Interesting reading about Planet Yoga, Mamma Moo and Purple Flower. Given the increased stresses on the body during pregnancy, I think it is vital to engage in exercise lead my professionals who are properly trained in their fields. How they can be teaching yoga and not hold proper qualifications is highly questionable.

Karmah - I thought that was the case, re: membership at Pure Yoga/Pure Fitness. It seems a bit rich that you need to sign up for a membership when you can only attend 2 of their scheduled classes per week!

Thanks for the suggestion Nicolejoy, I will look into it. I was thinking that Pilates might be the way to go and I will definitely look into the classes at the Matilda. They sound great Cesh. Unfortunately I don't have any private health insurance so seeing a physio would be a bit of a costly adventure.

BrightStar - congratulations on your pregnancy. I'm due on December 10 and from Australia as well. I'm not sure if you are aware of not but there is a few of us, all due in December, that go for lunch every couple of weeks. Why don't you join us? Some of us are going for lunch tomorrow if you can make it. PM me for the details.

Thanks for the suggestions again everyone!
 
Purple Flower - now that is definitely something to think about. How many people would you be looking for to make it a regular session?
 
Just had my baby and went to Anahata throughout my pregnancy. I loved it- classes are small and relaxing. Teachers are very experienced. I'm pretty sure they have a special package for pre-natal classes only. Best of luck!
 
I'd say 4-6 would be a good number. I know of a small studio that I can hire in Central but need to walk up two flights of stairs... Any other suggestions would be welcome!
 
I also attended the Matilda classes from 14 weeks into my pregnancy. I found them great as they cover breathing, relaxation and general pilates. I am convinced that I had no real aches and pains throughout my pregnancy because of them. The classes are small, they are the cheapest in HK $150 for 1.5 hours and the teacher Sharon is really nice and not in your face like some of them.

I did a free yoga class at Anahanta yoga. The teacher was dreadful as she criticised me saying I could not do any of the poses even though I told her I had never done yoga before! I had the worst backache ever after that class and had to invest in a prenatal massage. Also I thought it was really weird how they said they did not know what their prices were when I called up to enquire.
 
Just had an idea, if you guys would like, I'm more than happy to meet up over a fruit smoothee or something. If there's a small group interested. You can ask me any questions you might have. That way, you won't have to commit to a class without knowing who I am. Let me know. :smile:
 
Hi PurpleFlower, I'm a bit late to this, I know, but if you did get a group together and have space for 1 more, please PM me. I'm now 14 weeks and would love to join.
 
does anyone hv any recommendation for pre natal yoga courses in kowloon side? i've surf thru quite a lot of website but most of them hv classes on wkdays afternoon(which is impossible for working pregnant lady like me) and only 1class on sat/sun. btw, How many times per wk would be more effective for pre natal yoga? i'm now 25 wks pregnant.
thanks for any response....
 
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