Pregnancy Yoga In Overland Park | Full Circle Yoga KC

Full Circle Yoga KC is MOVING!

January 10, 2025 by Full Circle KC

We’re bringing everything you know and love to a brand-new location—our warm and welcoming spirit, expertise in body movement during pregnancy and beyond, unmatched community, supportive education, and a safe, loving space. With a renewed commitment to reaching more KC families, we’re excited to continue fostering wellness, connection, and growth in this next chapter! Our due date is February 1st and our doors will open for classes mid-February!

One of my proudest accomplishments began as a simple idea—an idea that I nurtured, watered, and poured my heart and soul into. What started as a small vision has blossomed into a thriving community, touching the lives of expectant and new families in the KC area and beyond. With every step of this journey, I’ve been driven by a deep passion for creating a space where families can connect, grow, and feel supported. I’m proud of how far we’ve come and excited for all the lives we’ll continue to reach and uplift.

Heart of Kansas City

Our new studio is nestled in the heart of KC, we’re just minutes away from Waldo, Brookside, South Kansas City, Prairie Village, Westwood, South Plaza, Leawood, Fairway, Overland Park, and Midtown. You will continue to see all of our prenatal yoga, postpartum yoga, baby yoga, toddler yoga, preschool storytime yoga classes and wellness workshops along with our incredible teachers. As we embrace this new chapter and settle into our new space we will be offering additional classes and workshops. Stay tuned!

First class at our new Full Circle Yoga KC studio

Drum Roll……..We will have our very first Prenatal Yoga Class at the new studio Saturday, February 15th! Sign up here to join us for our first class in the new space!

Here’s a glimpse of where Full Circle Yoga KC has been and the exciting path ahead.

Full Circle Yoga KC’s birth studio (2017)

Our new studio is beginning to buzz with magic as we work to bring it to life! It feels a lot like the anticipation and excitement waiting for the arrival of a sweet baby!

Full Circle Yoga KC is a family centered yoga studio in Kansas City specializing in Prenatal Yoga, Postpartum and Baby Yoga, Toddler Yoga, Preschool Yoga, Fertility Yoga, and workshops

Prenatal Yoga and Relaxation, Ritual, and Rhythm

October 8, 2019 by Full Circle KC

The most predictable thing about childbirth is its total unpredictability. -Penny Simkin

While birth is so unpredictable what we do to prepare for that journey can impact how we experience the ride. At Full Circle yoga KC, our prenatal yoga classes create a space to dive into practical tools that can be used to cope during pregnancy and all stages of labor and birth. Most agree that yoga relaxes us, however how do we relax when we are experiencing the pain of labor and pushing new life into the world? Influencing the journey of birth through physical and mental preparation is one of the major benefits of prenatal yoga classes.

Prenatal yoga creates a relaxing environment for Mamas to step into a deep state of relaxation and deeply connect with baby. Additionally, prenatal yoga creates opportunities for Mamas to experience challenging poses and practicing relaxation techniques that can be used during labor. At the beginning and end of class we practice passive relaxation techniques such as bringing attention to the body and allowing the body to relax and melt into earth paying particular attention to releasing tension in stress points and relaxing through the facial muscles, especially the jaw. These simple relaxation techniques are tools for Mamas to use between contractions. These techniques are often most useful during prelabor and early labor.

When contractions become more intense and Mama is not able to distract herself active relaxation techniques become useful. Active relaxation techniques are practiced in class when we sway and move and rock into poses and “Ahhh” on exhales. When practiced over and over again these relaxation techniques become organic rituals for Mamas when labor intensifies. Working the practice to a level of intensity where Mamas can visualize and feel the sensation of discomfort offers opportunities to come into a ritual and rhythm that speaks to them.

As the birth journey progresses Mamas will find the need to dip into their bag of tricks and find another practiced ritual. For some Mamas that ritual is visualizing their favorite flower blooming, the color, the size, the smell, for others maybe visualizing the body opening and softening. Yet, others don’t find visualization helpful and look to mantras or feeling the beat to the rhythm of the music, or staring into her partner’s face. Becoming familiar with the body and noticing what it feels like to turn inward and letting go of control and thinking gives Mamas the opportunity to feel this sensation before stepping into the unknown journey of birth. If a Mama can get to this state it can be incredibly powerful as labor peaks. Within these rituals, prenatal yoga class helps to develop rhythm which can be the key to riding out the waves of contractions and pushing a baby into the world.

Rituals can be both internal and external and often times Mamas use both. Practicing both of these rituals in prenatal yoga and partner prenatal yoga offers the opportunity to try out techniques before the birth journey. Internal rituals include those mentioned above such as closing eyes, rocking, moaning, tapping, or swaying during contractions. Active rituals include keeping eyes open and focused and look to their support system to help them with these rituals. These practices give mental activity to take away from the pain so Mama can cope rather than spiral into the sensation of pain.

Birth partners play such an important role in rituals and can influence how a mother experiences her birth. Whether it be siting mindfully next to Mama or being active in swaying or looking into her face are beautiful ways to be active in the birth process. If a Mama is using internal rituals, a partner might hold her hand and breath with her not disturbing her during contractions. When a partner notices Mama beginning to struggle or lose her rhythm, partner can become active in helping reset the ritual. Ways that a partner can be active are maintaining eye contact, talking through a contraction and telling Mama “you’re doing it, let this part of your body relax” while placing hands on shoulders, or maybe pressing firmly on her hips for counter pressure.

When Mama feels the urge to push, often times she becomes more alert and aware of her surroundings coming out of the instinctual state and feeling a gust of powerful energy to push.

Pregnancy, labor, and delivery, is a period of time in a woman’s life that they will remember forever. Full Circle Yoga KC strives to support the journey and rite of passage through prenatal yoga classes giving Mamas time to reflect, dig deeper into influencing their own birth, and creating a loving and supportive community for women, partners, babies, and families.

Full Circle Yoga KC is family centered yoga studio in Midtown Kansas City specializing in Prenatal Yoga, Baby Yoga, Little Movers Yoga, Little Kids Yoga, Prenatal Partner Yoga, Family Yoga and more.

From Partners to Parents

January 17, 2019 by Full Circle KC

The transition from partners to parents can test a strong relationship to it’s core, lack of sleep, hormonal changes, a crying new baby, lack of sleep, multiple visitors coming to meet your sweet baby, financially providing for a family, did I mention lack of sleep? The transition to parenthood can be one of the biggest transitions parents make together as well as individually. Suddenly not only are you responsible for yourself, now you have a little human that will always be your child, which comes with great responsibility.

Prior to children my husband and I finished the bottle of wine while we ate an amazing meal prepared together over the course of an hour or more. We took amazing trips, traveling on our bicycles with friends through Ireland and Belgium, road trips to Baja, long hikes in the woods, spoiled ourselves with lavish restaurants. We had a good life and I relish that time that we were able to grow as couple. Then a good friend became pregnant and I wanted that too. After our first miscarriage, I realized how badly I wanted a child. After our second miscarriage I was devastated and wanted to have a family more than anything.

Then we were successfully pregnant! We read about pregnancy, we attended the Bradley Method, and we discussed how it would change our life and our relationship. We talked about how we wanted to parent, both feeling very strongly with being conscious in our parenting style and being present to our children. Knowing that we both wanted this type of parenting we also knew we would have to give up a lot (or put some things on hold) – no more long dinner talks slowly working through a bottle of wine, no more fondue parties that lasted until the wee hours of the night, no more ultimate Frisbee club involving traveling for tournaments. Fortunately we were both okay with that knowing what we’d gained in return. We have a happy life with two kiddos filled with new adventures, lots of silly fun family time, creating new traditions, adjusting our travel so that we can all be together. Friday nights are no longer party nights, they are Friday Family Time nights and we look forward to them. We are still partners but now we are parents too!

Making a healthy transition from partners to parents will help create a supportive, positive, and nurturing environment for your child to grow. Begin sharing feelings about this momentous transition before baby arrives. It’s a great date night topic! There are many exercises on the internet to help begin the conversation or take your conversation deeper.

Here are some tips to a healthy transition

Share your expectations- when couples can share their hopes, fears, expectations with each other authentically it can build a deeper respect for each other, as well as finding commonality in shared hopes, fears, and expectations. In an opposite-sex relationship, recognize and appreciate that some issues may be more challenging for males while others are more challenging for females
Regular couple check-ins- how are each of you doing? How are each of you feeling about and managing the new life that’s joined your family?
Take time to talk to each other- Parenting can wear you down, make you question your abilities. Give each other compliments, fill each other’s tanks. As baby grows increase the time you give to your partnership.
Make time for intimacy and sex- postpartum may just be snuggling a little tighter, going to bed at the same time so you can cuddle. Don’t ignore this very important part of your partnership. Embrace opportunities for nonsexual intimacy, especially right after baby is born and the next several weeks.
Talk with friends and family- Keeping your tribe close to you during major life transitions such as having a baby is key to surviving! Your tribe will lift you up when you feel down, they will cheer you along when you feel strong, they will believe in you and remind you of the amazing individual you are.

One might think yoga is for the individual yet it can offer so much more. Full Circle Yoga KC recognizes the importance of a strong partner bond going into such a significant life event as well as the need for a tribe. Prenatal Partner Yoga allows partners the time to check-in with each other. This free, be silly, enjoy the company of one another class creates a space for partners to begin being conscious of the added role as parents. This class opens the door for partners to continue the conversation outside of class as to how they want to show up as partners as parents. Women together in Prenatal Yoga and become a tribe when they return for Mommy and Baby Yoga sharing and supporting one another through the fourth trimester. Full Circle Yoga KC celebrates and embraces the beautiful journey from partners to parents. Full Circle Yoga KC offers a space that creates a community of support for growing families through family-centered classes like Hatha Yoga, Gentle Flow Yoga, Kids Yoga, and Power Vinyasa.

Full Circle Yoga KC is family centered yoga studio in Midtown Kansas City specializing in Aerial Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Prenatal Yoga, Baby Yoga, Power Vinyasa and more.

Yes, prenatal yoga supported me in my birthing journey

June 21, 2018 by Full Circle KC

I recently asked a group of Mamas who attended a BYOB class when they look back at their birthing journey what they found helpful from their Prenatal Yoga classes.

Subheading “YES, prenatal yoga supported me in my birthing journey!”

Each one of these Mamas had a different birthing experience. One Mama planned a home birth with a midwife, she had the baby at home, however the midwife did not arrive in time and she and her husband delivered the baby together, one Mama had a scheduled cesarean for medical reasons, one Mama went into labor natural and wanted an un-medicated birth, however to support relaxation asked for an epidural, another Mama planned to go into labor naturally prior to planned induction, however she required induction and cesarean. Each one of these women is one tough Mother!

They all agreed the breathing we practice in prenatal yoga was a huge tool they practiced during their labor. And, they have found that yoga breath continues to help them in motherhood. One Mama said because of her breathing during labor she was able to stay relaxed mentally, but felt herself getting physically tired, when she asked for an epidural her team was surprised because she appeared so calm. She now continues to use breath to help center herself when her baby is fussy so that she can release calming energy for him.

Another Mama said the breathing practiced in prenatal yoga helped her calm down and get under control when she felt herself spiraling.

One Mama said the breathing was key to working through each contraction. She also felt prenatal yoga helped her build endurance for the mountain climb of labor.

And another Mama said her mantra became I can do anything for 24 hours, I can do this for 1 minute. Mamas at Full Circle Yoga KC hear this in almost every class: “Typically, a contraction lasts about 1 minute, YOU can do anything for 1 minute. Typically, a first birth lasts about 24 hours, YOU can do anything for one day.” This particular Mama’s labor was longer than 24 hours, however she kept saying the Mantra to herself to keep her focused for the end journey of bring life into the world.

Each Mama has her own birthing journey, yet they all found the benefits to prenatal yoga. These Mamas have also created community through their pregnancy yoga and recently all got together for a play date to celebrate being tough Mama bears together!!!

Full Circle Yoga KC is a yoga studio in the heart of Kansas City that specializes in embracing the full cycle of life. Classes include Prenatal Yoga, Prenatal Partner Yoga, and Bring Your Own Baby (BYOB) Yoga for those entering the beautiful journey of pregnancy and the transition into motherhood. Full Circle Yoga KC also offers chair yoga for older adults living in retirement communities who are seeking an added component to health and wellness.

Pregnancy Yoga at Full Circle Yoga KC

April 26, 2018 by Full Circle KC

Pregnancy Yoga at Full Circle Yoga KC

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Pregnancy Yoga is just what the body needs in preparation for one the most incredible life events a woman will experience.

Mamas come to Full Circle Yoga KC for numerous reasons:

“I have had to stop doing the intense workouts I used to do, but coming here is the right amount of intense and calm, and it shows me what my body really can do.”

“It’s humbling to see the strength of my body and mind and it really helps relieve my back discomfort.”

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“I get time to myself and get the space to settle my mind.”

“I have a increased level of energy and I also sleep better after class.”

“I’m learning to appreciate and enjoy shavasana!”

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The word “Yoga” from the Sanskrit word yuj means to yoke or bind and is often interpreted as “union” or a method of discipline. Pregnancy Yoga is a powerful way to unite you and your growing baby and practice a method of discipline to cultivate coping strategies you can take into labor and delivery. Mama’s qualify of life is important for good pregnancy outcomes and pregnancy yoga supports full body health and wellness.

The birthing journey will take a Mama to the brinks of impossible, yet it’s this same experience that a Mama can feel more empowered than ever!

Mamas of all yoga levels come to prenatal yoga, however most Mamas are new to yoga and have heard the buzz that pregnancy yoga is good for pregnancy, and they are right! Studies show that practicing prenatal yoga can reduce stress, ease discomforts, and ease labor. For most of us life is busy and we are consumed by day to day hustle and bustle. Finding time to create space to consciously prepare Mama’s body both mind, and spirit helps prepare for the arrival of a little human.

Recognizing what your body is able to do in challenging poses helps build confidence for what your body can do when you’re experiencing contractions. Using breath and movement during intense poses is the method of discipline that cultivates coping strategies during contractions and pushing baby into the world. Practicing pregnancy yoga makes movements and visualizations a practiced technique that can be carried into the birthing journey.

Full Circle Yoga KC is family centered yoga studio in Midtown Kansas City specializing in Aerial Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Prenatal Yoga, Baby Yoga, Power Vinyasa and more.