London isn’t short of antenatal exercise classes; they’re a fantastic way to stay fit and active throughout your pregnancy without worrying that you’re overdoing it. Prenatal yoga is a gentle way to relieve aches and pains, as well as maintain a healthy body and mind during pregnancy. It’s also a good way to build strength and it can help you prepare your body for birth. Here are the best classes in London divided down by area.
Central London
Mumhood Pre-Natal Yoga is a low-impact yoga class designed with the pregnant body in mind.
What is it? The class is a combination of calming sequences, controlled stretching and mindfulness practice to improve the connection between you and your baby.
How much? Classes start from £10 a session. You sign up for a Frame card and top it up with credit (similar to your Oyster), then pay as you go.
Where is it? There are seven studios you’ll be able to visit in Shoreditch, Queen’s Park, King’s Cross, Victoria, Hammersmith, Fitzrovia and Farringdon.
Joyful Body Yoga and Hypnobirthing aims to help you prepare for birth and promotes vitality during pregnancy.
What is it? The class runs through strengthening postures and breathing techniques to prepare for labour. It also focuses on preventing common ailments such as heartburn and sciatica.
How much? £118 for 8 weeks
Where is it? Waterloo on Monday and Tues; and Purley on Wed
Triyoga’s Yoga For Mums-To-Be is a class for beginners and advanced yogis.
What is it? Classes that teach expectant mothers how to have the most conscious birth experience and enjoy pregnancy with minimal discomfort. It’s also a place to feel part of a community of pregnant women.
How much? £17 a class
Where is it? Various locations, including Camden, Chelsea, Soho, Ealing and Shoreditch
Yoga Wonder offer Yoga Pregnancy that helps you to stay energised and grounded during your pregnancy.
What is it? A slow and flowing sequence of antenatal postures that help relieve many common pregnancy ailments. Suitable from 12 weeks to birth.
How much? From £14
Where? Blok in Clapton and Triyoga in Soho
Indaba Pregnancy Yoga is a great way to get in mental and physical shape for birth and beyond.
What is it? A six-week course where you will be led through postures, breathing techniques, relaxation techniques and positions for birth. The class also addresses pregnancy ailments.
How much? £16 drop-in classes, discount for block bookings
Where? Marylebone every Thursday
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North London
Yoga Junction offer pregnancy yoga for all levels from early pregnancy up until birth.
What is it? Yoga Junction run two regular drop-in sessions (Mondays and Thursdays) that involve yoga postures, breathing exercises and relaxation. The classes help to alleviate aches and pains, and help you through pregnancy and beyond.
How much? £11 per class
Where is it? Crouch End
Jackie’s Yoga offers both antenatal and mother and baby yoga to take you through pregnancy and beyond.
What is it? Jackie specialises in pregnancy yoga and offers a 5-week antenatal course. The classes consist of gentle toning and stretching with relaxation and breathing techniques.
How much? £12.50 for a single class or 5-week course for £45
Where is it? Enfield and Winchmore Hill
Petra Yoga offer small classes to make your pregnancy more enjoyable and prepare you for giving birth.
What is it? The classes help you to develop awareness of the breath and use it during labour, as well as prepare your body’s alignment and reduce lower back discomfort.
How much? £19 (cheaper when block booking)
Where is it? Kentish Town
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East London
Yoga Place welcome all pregnant yoga students from beginners to practised yogis.
What is it? The class teaches breath and modified yoga poses in sequences to ease mums-to-be through pregnancy and labour. The postures help to relieve pregnancy discomforts and encourage the gentle opening of the pelvis with postures to birth your baby.
How much? N/A
Where is it? Bethnal Green
Honor Oak Wellness Rooms offer pregnancy yoga classes with a holistic programme of breath work, movement and relaxation.
What is it? Suitable from 12 weeks of pregnancy, the classes give women time to connect with their babies and their own intuitive wisdom.
How much? £75 for 6-week block booking, no drop-ins
Where is it? Brockley and Honor Oak Park
Yogalime offer yoga and antenatal classes in East London, alongside birth preparation workshops, baby massage and hypnobirthing.
What is it? Yogalime classes give you the chance to switch off and focus on you and your baby. The classes aim to enhance and nurture your pregnancy experience and prepare you for childbirth.
How much? £13 for drop-in sessions, 6-week block booking for £68
Where is it? Royal Victoria Dock; West Ham; and Isle of Dogs
South London
Battersea Yoga cover everything a mother needs to keep fit and well during her pregnancy.
What is it? The hour-long classes help the body relax and release tensions, as well as helping to create a deeper connection for mother and baby. The classes cover spinal alignment, pelvic awareness, toning of birthing muscles, active birthing positions, and more.
How much? £15 for drop-in session
Where is it? Battersea
Kathleen’s Yoga offers general yoga and pre and post natal classes. One-to-one classes are also available.
What is it? A specialist yoga class that has been carefully adapted for you to practise from 12 weeks of pregnancy up to the birth. The class aims to build your confidence for during labour and offer a wealth of knowledge into pregnancy and birth.
How much? £16 drop-in season or £96 for eight classes
Where is it? Streatham
Yogarise Peckham offers slow and flowing pregnancy yoga classes to help you stay grounded and energised during pregnancy.
What is it? The class should help to relieve common pregnancy ailments and prepare you for an active labour and birth. Suitable from 15 weeks of pregnancy to birth.
How much? From £12 drop-in sessions
Where it is? Peckham
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West London
YogaBellies offer classes for pregnant women that use yogic techniques and holistic therapies to guide you through your pregnancy journey.
What is it? The prenatal sessions incorporate traditional postures, self-hypnosis and deep relaxation. YogaBellies also teach soothing and comfort techniques for birth.
How much? N/A
Where is it? Richmond and various locations around the UK
Yoga Mama Wellness is a quiet space for mamas and mamas-to-be to practise yoga and Pilates.
What is it? Yoga Mama Wellness run several pregnancy yoga and Pilates classes throughout the week, alongside breathing and birth preparation workshops.
How much? £17 for drop-in session, £5 for first class
Where is it? Putney
Sundara Mama run classes that assist your body in adapting for the changes that pregnancy brings about.
What is it? The classes are suitable from 14 weeks until the end of your pregnancy and are for every fitness level. The sessions encourage you to embrace pregnancy and connect with your baby.
How much? £17 drop-in session
Where is it? Notting Hill and Twickenham
At-Home Yoga Lessons
If you’re looking for one-to-one sessions, from the comfort of your home (or office), Pomamma offer yoga classes that come to you.
What is it? With a network of yoga teachers across central London, Pomamma provide personalised yoga sessions to guide you through pregnancy. All Pomamma’s teachers are fully certified in pregnancy yoga and work to a prenatal programme designed by international yoga expert Mercedes Ngoh Sieff.
How much is it? £100 per class or 10 for £900 (saving £100)
Where is it? Wherever works for you
Decided on your class? It’s time to order a couple of essentials.
Over the bump maternity leggings
While it isn’t necessary to revamp your whole wardrobe during pregnancy, a soft pair of leggings are worthwhile for exercise and lounging about the house. You can pick up a pair on Amazon for around £13.
Foucome Maternity Leggings, from £13
A sport-style maternity bra
Cover all bases with a maternity bra that supports your active lifestyle and doesn’t get in the way at feeding and pumping times.
Gratlin women’s comfort nursing bra, from £17
A classic yoga mat
If you’re new to yoga and undecided whether it’s for you, it’s easy to pick up a mat pretty cheaply. We’d recommend getting one to safety (no slipping!) and support transitioning from one yoga pose to another.
Toplus Yoga Mat, £23