Prenatal Body Balancing: A Q&A with Alison See, Prenatal Yoga Instructor

Prenatal Yoga offers pregnant women impactful connection to her body and her community. The practice of creating space in her body (for herself and for baby) while connecting to her breath allows her to tune into the diaphragm and pelvic floor in ways that are incredibly helpful.

We see a pattern of really tight hip flexors from frequent sitting and if mom isn’t actively participating in a practice that lengthens her psoas muscles and hip flexors it can affect the position of her pelvis in a way that can make pregnancy and birth uncomfortable. 

This thoughtful practice helps the pregnant body find balance between strength and flexibility. For birth to truly be optimal mama needs to have the ability to not only be strong but the ability to soften and relax. Because birth is about the body and the mind – being surrounded by other mothers while in this really important and beautiful season of life is so beneficial! 

Prenatal yoga instructors have gone through additional yoga training, meaning they have dedicated time and expertise into understanding the pregnant body and the yoga instructor you will hear from later in this article is also certified birth doula which means she is bringing this awareness and passion of birth and pregnancy to her classes. We get so excited to send mamas in this direction because the physical benefits of prenatal yoga are incredible but what it can do to prepare our minds and our hearts for this journey is truly amazing. 

Q: Why should a mama consider prenatal yoga?

  • Community! I think this is my most favorite aspect of prenatal + postnatal yoga classes.  We foster a safe space for connection and begin with a check-in circle. We get to know each other throughout the pregnancy and postpartum journey, relate and connect, and grow together.
  • Yoga modifications – safe practices, simple do’s and don’ts to create space for baby to thrive, create stability to minimize and ease common pregnancy discomforts.
  • Prepare for Birth – learn techniques and develop skills to assist in labor and birth with confidence
  • Align with self – mindfulness and meditation to connect with yourself and discover truths, desires, and beliefs, and to release negative thoughts, fears, and limiting beliefs, with the ultimate goal of feeling empowered in your own unique journey and experience through pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and parenting.

 

Q: When should mama start prenatal yoga?

  • After you find out you are pregnant and are feeling up for it! Most commonly, people join me at the very end of the 1st trimester to beginning of the 2nd trimester. I approach every class from a beginner’s mind to make it inclusive, safe, and supportive.  

 

Q: Do you have any helpful tips & tricks for mama?

  • Do what feels right to you throughout your pregnancy – align with intuition and learn to trust your instincts.
  • Envision your perfect birth. Choose the birth setting that feels the safest and most supportive to you. Choose a provider that respects your birth preferences. 
  • See a Webster Chiro (Dr. Kate!) to identify imbalances in the spine and pelvis and make frequent appointments throughout pregnancy to ensure optimal alignment.  I also love Dr. Valerie Stroupe with Rambling Road for Chiro & Body Balancing using Myofascial release and other modalities.
  • See a pelvic floor PT – even if you are not aware of any significant issues it is wonderful to assess tonicity and get some helpful techniques to balance the pelvic floor through strengthening or relaxation exercises.
  • Consider getting a doula (I’m a little biased…) for your birth and/or postpartum.  Arm yourself with knowledge (from everything to hospital protocols, when to go to hospital in labor, presentation of options – yes you have options!, local resources and perinatal health referrals, etc.), emotional and mental support, physical support during birth, and partner support.  Helps improve birth outcomes through education, advocacy and respect.
  • Take a Childbirth Education class – pick one that aligns with your values, and the type of birth you want to have. Take the class with your partner. Do some research, whether online or in person. In person is great for meeting other soon-to-be-parents and creating connections and possible new friendships.
  • Read or Listen to empowering and educational birth books and podcasts. Become a sponge.
  • Read, Listen, and Watch Birth Stories.  Take back what birth REALLY looks like in your mind. Re-write the Hollywood highly dramatized (and sometimes scary) version of birth.
  • Throw out the EDD (estimated due date) in your mind. Give yourself a “birth window” and be generous. Your body and baby are so smart and know the perfect time to be born.  Having a specific date can increase anxiety, fear, and impulsivity to forego the birth experience you desire. A spontaneous birth, in the absence of medical complication, encourages a successful physiologic birth experience.
  • Breathe. Relax. And Let your Body & Baby Do the Rest.
Headshot of Alison See Yoga Instructor

Alison See

CD(DONA), RPYT, RYT-200
Birth + Postpartum Doula
Certified MaYoga® Prenatal Yoga Teacher

About Team Antoniotti

We believe that healthy families make healthy communities, and we are committed to improving the health and wellbeing of Kalamazoo – one mother, one child, one family at a time.

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Dr. Erika

The road to becoming a chiropractor has been a scenic but educational one. After my own incredible experience with chiropractic care, I moved to Dallas in 2013 to attend Parker University and begin the journey to serve others.
 
Upon graduating, I worked in a rehab based clinic located in Irving, TX which prepared me with significant clinical knowledge in addition to expanding my experience into nutrition, physical therapy, and a variety of other palliative modalities. 
 
When the stars aligned for me to move back to Kalamazoo, falling in stride along Dr. Kate and Dr. Steve was an easy transition.  Their passion for serving the community of Kalamazoo is contagious and motivating! 
 
I welcomed my son Max in 2015 and my daughter Amelia in 2016. They motivate me daily to make positive choices and look at the big picture, both at home and at work. 
 
My desire is to educate our patients and create a sense of autonomy and confidence when it comes to their health! I look forward to working with the incredible people of southwest Michigan – hope to see you in the office soon!

Dr. Steve

After graduating from Miami University in 2008 with a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science from the school of Kinesiology and Health, and double minor in Business and Coaching, I began a four-year chiropractic program at Logan College of Chiropractic in Chesterfield, Missouri outside of St. Louis. In addition to the required chiropractic curriculum, I completed classes and performed research in advanced biomechanics, functional rehabilitation, kinetic chain analysis, and musculoskeletal therapies. This extra-curricular education has given me an edge in treating patients, allowing me to identify dysfunctions often overlooked by other providers.

Upon graduation from Logan College of Chiropractic in 2011, I moved to Indianapolis and started my own practice, PEAK Chiropractic. During my experience of owning and operating PEAK, I gained invaluable experience on how to treat patients of all levels and how to run a successful chiropractic practice. So, when my uncle, Dr. David Antoniotti, called my wife, Dr. Kate Antoniotti, and me with the offer to buy, run, and continue the tradition of Antoniotti Chiropractic in Kalamazoo, saying “yes” was extremely easy.

In March of 2016 Dr. Kate and I welcomed our son, Leo, to the world. And in October of 2018, our daughter, Rose, was born, making us a family of four. 

It is an honor to be continuing my family’s 50-year tradition of chiropractic care in Kalamazoo and I look forward to seeing you in the office!

Dr. Kate

I have always been interested in health, fitness, and human potential. After going through my own personal health struggles in college, I became passionate about holistic and preventative healthcare. This led me to pursue a B.Sc. degree in Exercise Science & Kinesiology- with the ultimate goal of becoming a Chiropractor.

After graduating from Miami University, I moved to St. Louis, Missouri to attend Logan College of Chiropractic, where I earned my D.C. degree. While at Logan, I did additional studies in nutrition, pediatrics, and women’s health. It was during my four years in St. Louis, where I also discovered my love for yoga, and eventually became a yoga teacher (200-RYT).

Dr. Steve and I welcomed our son, Leo, to the world in March 2016. And then in October 2018 we welcomed our daughter, Rose, to the family. Becoming a mom has been a defining moment in my life, both personally and professionally.

With my background in chiropractic, yoga, nutrition, pediatrics and women’s health – I have focused my practice to specifically address the needs of Moms. I deeply care about the health and wellbeing of our children, and I strongly believe that we need healthy Moms in order to have healthy kids.

By directing my focus on pregnancy chiropractic care, post-partum wellness, and pediatric chiropractic – I am hopeful that I am doing my small part in improving the health of our community.

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