Prenatal Yoga in Kansas City

May 9, 2024 by Full Circle KC

prenatal yoga class at Full Circle Yoga KC

“I came for the practical, but returned for the mental” – Full Circle Yoga KC expectant Mama

Prenatal yoga continues to grow in popularity for all the benefits it offers and positive growing research. In honor of Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week we want to highlight the mental benefits prenatal yoga offers. From my own experience in the last 8 years as the owner of Full Circle Yoga KC I have time and time again seen the positive benefits of prenatal yoga. Students report feeling less aches and pains, learned coping strategies, increased understanding and connection with their body, decreased anxiety, and more prepared for birth mentally, physically, and physiologically.

Benefits of Prenatal Yoga

Prenatal Yoga offers comfort and relief from back pain, hip discomfort, pubic pain, and sciatic symptoms. This is primarily the first reason expectant people come to a prenatal yoga class. However, after attending they experience the added benefit of mental wellness. Research shows prenatal yoga can reduce stress, ease anxiety, and decrease depression.

Mental Health Benefits

Anxiety, depression, and stress can be common psychological factors. We know these factors can have an impact on maternal mental wellness which can affect baby. Stress can spiral into to medical complications impacting mother and baby. In one randomized control study published in the Journal of Depression and Anxiety found just one prenatal yoga reduced subjective and psychological measurements of anxiety to the group receiving the intervention.

A 2023 systemic review with meta-analysis published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found prenatal yoga can be more effective in reducing depression, anxiety, and stress compared to other interventions.

Prenatal yoga can be done at home. However, the benefits increase when practiced in a group of other expectant people. At Full Circle Yoga KC one of the number one reasons expectant Mamas come is for the community and mental support, wellness, and readiness.

“Prenatal helped me manage the anxiety, find a sense of community, and finally be able to enjoy the last few months of my pregnancy. I strongly believe that prenatal yoga classes helped change the course of my pregnancy.” -Full Circle Yoga KC Mama

supporting expectant Mama at Full Circle Yoga KC

Prenatal Yoga Classes in Kansas City

If you want to experience the mental health benefits of prenatal yoga, join us at Full Circle Yoga KC! Explore our prenatal yoga classes and reserve on our class calendar. Check out all of our workshops and special events we offer to support your growing family too! We also offer an unlimited Prenatal Yoga Video Bundle for days you can’t make it to the studio or live outside of KC!

5 Benefits of Preschool Yoga Class

January 18, 2024 by Full Circle KC

While kids of all ages can benefit from yoga, it’s especially helpful for preschoolers and the skills they’re working on. Whether your little one is developing their physical, mental, or emotional abilities, yoga can provide support and move them forward. Keep reading to learn about the invaluable benefits of preschool yoga classes for your child!

5 Benefits of Yoga for Preschoolers

If you’ve practiced yoga before, you know it can transform the way your mind and body feel. But yoga’s benefits aren’t just limited to adults. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has found yoga to be a therapeutic intervention with positive effects, especially for children dealing with emotional, mental, and behavioral health issues.

These are some of the benefits of preschool yoga:

1. Yoga develops preschoolers’ strength and coordination.

Most yoga poses (asanas) utilize multiple muscle groups, and when kids practice holding yoga poses regularly, it can help them build strength. Children who practice yoga also improve their balance and flexibility, contributing to their motor skill development and overall coordination.

2. Preschoolers build self-confidence through yoga.

Yoga classes are a low-pressure environment where preschoolers can try using their bodies in new ways. Teachers will provide modeling and guidance but allow students to explore yoga poses in their own manner. When a preschooler stays balanced in a tough pose, they can be proud of their hard work and know that they can do difficult things, both in yoga class and other environments.

3. Yoga improves focus and concentration for preschool-aged children.

Preschoolers have famously short attention spans, but children who practice yoga often experience improvements in focus and concentration. In yoga classes, students are encouraged to remain in the present moment, whether focusing on their breath, a pose, or the instructor’s voice. Regular yoga practice can help preschoolers gradually enhance their concentration, improving their listening skills and preparing them for academic settings.

4. Preschoolers learn to manage their emotions through yoga.

Little kids can have big feelings! Yoga helps preschoolers manage their emotions by learning to control their breathing, which can calm their nervous system during a moment of escalation. Yoga also teaches children to be aware of their bodies, which can help them notice physical signs that a big emotion is on the way. Then, they can use the skills they’ve learned in preschool yoga to calm down and avoid a tantrum.

5. Yoga improves preschoolers’ digestion.

If your preschooler seems to always have a tummy ache, it’s time to get them to a yoga class! The stretching, bending, and twisting of various yoga poses get things moving, relieving gas and constipation. Your child will leave preschool yoga with a calm mind and happy belly.

Preschool Yoga Classes in Kansas City

If you want to sign your preschooler up for a yoga class, you’ve come to the right place! Our family-centered yoga studio offers classes for both adults and kids of every age. Explore Full Circle Yoga KC’s class calendar to reserve a spot for your kiddo in an upcoming preschool yoga class!

Are you Depleted or Full?

November 30, 2023 by Full Circle KC

We have filled the studio space with so much gratitude energy this month, talking all things gratitude. I hope you’re feeling that refreshed joyful energy in your spirit when you leave the studio, and take it out into the world and pass it along. Gratitude matters and research shows it can foster greater life satisfaction, even when life feels heavy, and for many, this time of year, and all that’s happening in the world, the feeling of heavy is real.

I ate lunch with a dear friend of mine a few weeks ago and she asked a question that has stayed with me and I want to share her wisdom with you, especially as we enter the holiday season.

Does it make you feel full or depleted? Did anyone else go WOW after reading this? When my schedule is booked with activities, or to-dos, or, being an uber driver to my children, or my work, I’ve been asking myself do I feel full or depleted? I can 100% say without hesitation when I’m at Full Circle Yoga KC I feel FULL! I have such a tremendous amount of gratitude for the Mamas, Dads, Partners, Parents, and Kiddos I get to share time, space, and energy with at FCYKC. I think I have the best job ever! When I’m feeling run down or over extended I have to evaluate where I feel depleted and decide if I can let that go or sometimes it’s a matter of reframing the thought from “I have to”, to “I get to” and it changes my whole perspective.

As I sign off to connect with family and friends for the upcoming holiday, I hope you find a feeling of fullness and gratitude.

Full Circle Yoga KC has gift cards! In an attempt to do our part in protecting Mother Earth we only offer online gift cards. If you’d like to purchase you can find them here. Thank you for entrusting us to support your family member or friend!

Reminder of New Classes on the calendar!

Fridays 10am- StoryTime Yoga with Emmi. Click here to reserve. Next class Friday December 8th at 10am.

Our first Mamas Morning Out Yoga will be Saturday November 25th at 10:30am! Join me and other FCYKC Mamas on the mat to breath, connect and recharge.

Prenatal Mantras and Change

October 27, 2023 by Full Circle KC

One thing for sure is change!

* If you are expecting there are constant changes with how you feel and your body, and baby’s minute to minute growth.

*If your parenting then there’s constant change with schedules and child development.

*The weather in the Midwest!

*Unrest in the world

*New classes and workshops at FCYKC!….keep reading for all the details!

We have talked mantras this month and how they can support us in pregnancy, labor and birth, and parenthood. The big change in our household is welcoming a teenager! Gah, time flies! We are celebrating and honoring this time of change as parents and as our daughter begins to navigate these years as a teenager. My mantra is “I will not fear, but celebrate and honor this stage of parenthood!”

We have LOTS of exciting classes (some new!) and workshops to end out 2023!

Social Emotional Yoga with Mrs. V! (ages K-5^th grade)- THIS SATURDAY October 28^th 1:30-3:00pm. Costumes encouraged! Next class will be holiday themed on Saturday December 23^rd. See full description here.

Storytime Yoga with Emmi!– Starting Friday November 3^rd at 10:00am. Your preschool-aged kiddos are invited to join Miss Emmi for Kids Storytime Yoga. We’ll use fables, fairytales, books, yoga poses, breathing, mindful movement, music, and coloring to build self-awareness, emotional regulation, body awareness, concentration, and more. And we’ll have fun! See Emmi’s bio here

Coming of Age Workshop– Wednesday November 8th

5:30-8:30pm- Empowering our Girls to Celebrate and Embrace Their Changing Bodies. Full details here.

Build Your Best Birth Plan– with Taylor owner of With You Wellness KC. Thursday November 30th 7:30pm-9:00pm

Tickets $75. Link to reserve coming soon!

Coming soon! Moms Morning out Yoga Class– watch for upcoming announcements and details!!! Monthly Saturday Moms Morning Yoga!!!

Prenatal Yoga Prepares the Mind and Body for the Pushing Phase of Birth

October 2, 2023 by Full Circle KC

Prenatal Yoga Helps You Practice and Prepare for the Pushing Phase of Birth

I’m trying not to hold my breath while waiting to welcome Autumn! Speaking of holding breath, this month’s questions have been centered around pushing. Do I hold my breath? Can I breathe when it’s time to push? What’s open glottis pushing vs. Valsalva pushing? What can my partner do to support me while I’m in the second stage of labor/pushing phase? What position do I envision myself to be in for breathing my baby into the world?

In our prenatal yoga classes we cover AND practice (this is where prenatal yoga can play such an invaluable support in preparing for birth) pushing positions, different breathing techniques during pushing, how to advocate for yourself during this phase of birth, how your partner can play an active role as you breathe your baby earthside. Practicing birth positions and breath work during prenatal yoga class builds the muscle memory for birth! It’s an opportunity to rehearse what feels good and right for your body while you’re tuning inward on your yoga mat. When the moment comes to begin pushing your baby into the world, the techniques you’ve practiced/rehearsed at prenatal yoga will empower you for pushing your bundle of joy into the world.

Breath is the way through pushing as it’s the way through contractions and parenthood and waiting for the change in seasons. I’m looking forward to breathing in the crispness of fall in the coming days.

Full Circle Yoga KC is a family centered yoga studio in Midtown Kansas City specializing in Prenatal Yoga, Prenatal Partner Yoga, Baby Yoga, postpartum yoga, and workshops.