Breathe. Relax. Renew.

Yoga & Massage for Motherhood

Nurture Yourself and Your Baby at Desert Song

Motherhood is a time of great change and joy. For twenty-five years, Desert Song has been serving the Phoenix prenatal community with yoga, massage, private consultations and special workshops and events tailored to the needs and desires of expecting mothers. In 2005, Desert Song began offering Mommy & Me yoga classes and workshops designed specifically for both expecting and new mothers. Desert Song's pre- and postnatal communities offer support, friendship, resources and fun for every stage of motherhood. Mothers who come to Desert Song know that they will become more physically, mentally and emotionally prepared for the challenges and joys of having and raising children.

Learn more about our offerings for mothers:

Prenatal Yoga

At Desert Song Yoga & Massage, we believe that pregnancy and motherhood is a sacred time for the expectant mother to focus on the overall health and nurturing of her body and the life of her baby. One of the best things a mother can do for herself, and for her growing baby, is yoga. Yoga keeps the ever-changing pregnant body strong and flexible, at a time when it will contend with additional weight and increasing hormone levels.

In our prenatal classes, qualified and certified yoga instructors tailor the class to meet the physical and emotional health concerns that arise during pregnancy. Throughout the class, breathing techniques and creative visualization techniques are incorporated, which will prove to be powerful allies during labor and delivery.

Some of the benefits of our prenatal yoga classes include:

  • Reducing stress by learning breathing techniques
  • Assisting the ever-changing pregnant body to stay strong and flexible
  • Relieving fatigue, backache, headache, insomnia, digestive disorders and sciatica
  • Strengthening the endocrine and nervous systems
  • Increasing circulation (more nutrients to your baby!) and build overall strength and stamina
  • Focusing on poses that are known to assist with preparation for childbirth
  • Helping to create a sense of balance, perspective, confidence and joy

Prenatal classes at Desert Song:

Prenatal Massage

This treatment offers many wonderful benefits for both mother and baby. Our massage tables are designed with a cut-out for the belly so that the mom-to-be is able to lie face down. The Swedish Prenatal’s focus is relaxation. The Therapeutic Prenatal targets areas of discomfort, such as the neck, back, pelvis and legs, to reduce pain and swelling. Receiving massages throughout the course of your pregnancy helps to promote your overall health and comfort level during this time of change in the body.
Note: Written permission from the client's physician is required for all prenatal massages. It may be faxed to our office at 602- 265-7630.

Benefits of Pre-natal massage include:

  • Increases circulation – more nutrients to the baby!
  • Reduces stress
  • Promotes sleep
  • Relieves muscle tension, leg cramps and sciatica
  • Relieves pain associated with back labor
  • Introduces the unborn child to the sense of touch

Mommy & Me Yoga

This class is designed to help new mothers reconnect to their bodies through postures designed to address postnatal concerns and demands. The baby is kept stimulated through the use of scarves, music and movement. This class will introduce creative ways for mothers to establish time throughout her week to enjoy yoga poses and time with her baby. As early as the women's doctor approves exercise for her, she may join the class. Babies are welcome up until they are actively crawling.

$12 Tuesday, 10:15 - 11:15 a.m. with Peri Miller

Movers & Shakers Starting Monday, Novemeber 5th


This class is for mothers or fathers with mobile babies, up to 18 months. The room becomes a yoga mat, as the babies explore and the adults go in and out of asanas. Throughout the class the babies will be encouraged to try different yoga poses through song, exploration, and movement. Parent and child are able to bond over an activity that encourages patience, tranquility, and quality time with one another. Babies are supported in expanding their skills of independence, by being encouraged to explore and to maintain a healthy body of movement.

$12 Monday, 10:30-11:30 a.m. with Anna Blocker-Rubin  

Workshops

Specialized workshops are a great way for new and expecting moms to dive deeper into their practice. Visit our workshops page to read more details, including dates for the offerings listed below.

Mindful Mothering Through Yoga

The shifts that occur during motherhood are demanding on the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual levels. This class is designed for mothers to regroup and rediscover themselves as they embrace their new role. By creating consistent time for self-care, exploration and acceptance, women are able to tap into an infinite source of strength and of wisdom. The first part of the class will be dedicated to a physical yoga practice, connecting us to our body awareness, building strength and creating more flexibility.

The second portion of the workshop will revolve around a changing "theme" for discussion, meditation and journaling. Through this time of self-reflection, mothers will learn how to integrate yoga philosophy into their daily lives and routines, unlocking boundless potential! Please bring a journal. Join this comfortable, non-judgmental environment for those seeking to live mindfully as women and mothers. Please Note: this workshop is offered monthly and is for women who have already had a child.

Prenatal Partners Yoga & Massage (bi-monthly)

A beautiful workshop designed to focus on nurturing and restoring the expecting couple through gentle yoga stretches and massage. We also focus on specific massage techniques, breath-work and relaxation techniques for labor.

Testimonials

Amy Vynalek - Hazel's Mom and Marketing Consultant, AV Communications

"Last year, I started practicing weekly at Desert Song when I learned I was pregnant. Pretty much everything the center offers for pregnant women and new mothers I've tried and LOVED.

If there is one thing I would recommend to any pregnant woman, it is to do pre-natal yoga at Desert Song. Yoga made a huge difference in my pregnancy, preparing me for childbirth and the joy and challenges of motherhood. Throughout my pregnancy, the practice prepared my body for the changes of each trimester and ultimately, birth. The prenatal, postnatal and mommy & me teachers are caring and talented and take the time at the beginning of each class to find out what is going on with everyone in the class, giving each of us individualized attention.

What's more, the community of other expecting women is a great support system. Desert Song is a place where I made true friends, knowing our children will grow up together. Now, with an infant, I'm extraordinarily grateful for the Mommy & Me classes, so I can continue my practice while spending quality time with my daughter, Hazel. The hour I take for that Mommy & Me class is something I look forward to each week - to relax, to get back into shape and to visit with other moms and their adorable babies.

Because of the environment of the studio, the quality of the teachers and the great community of mothers, Hazel and I will be coming to Desert Song for many years to come!

Diana L. Munger – Lilia’s Mom & PT, DPT Desert Physical Therapy & Women’s Health Center, LLC

“My favorite quality of Desert Song is the depth of knowledge of the instructors. The extensive training program provides their teachers with a strong anatomy foundation, which keeps their students healthy and safe. I also love the sense of community within the studio - especially in the Prenatal and Mommy & Me classes! I always look forward to my weekly class and love that I can bring my daughter, Lilia, along with me.

All the classes and workshops I have attended have been excellent. I started with an All Levels class at Desert Song and also enjoyed the occasional restorative class. Once I became pregnant, I began attending the prenatal classes, and I am now a regular in the Mommy & Me classes. Additionally, I have participated in the Couples Yoga & Massage and Prenatal Partners workshops.

When we moved to Phoenix, I was so happy to discover Desert Song. The studio and their wonderful classes and teachers have helped keep yoga an important part of my daily-life. Yoga keeps me strong and centered, physically and mentally. With a regular practice, I am calmer and able to handle my daily stresses with ease. I am so grateful I was able to continue my practice during and after my pregnancy, as well. I know yoga eased my pregnancy and helped prepare me for delivery. Now it is helping my postpartum body recover while keeping me sane through the daily challenges of being a new mother.”

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