Over the past several months I have taught Shanti Mom Prenatal Yoga classes at NKO Yoga. It’s wonder to see new moms taking time for themselves and finding ways to connect with their baby. Below is part of the newsletter which I wrote for the April NKO Yoga Studio newsletter.
Last month we wrote about planting seeds of intention. So how are your seeds doing? Have they grown roots yet or are they still germinating? This season of your life—pregnancy, transformation, expansion—naturally invites both. Some intentions take hold quickly, anchoring you with clarity and purpose. Others linger just beneath the surface, quietly gathering energy until the moment is right. Both rhythms are valid. Both are part of the unfolding.
Your yoga practice is also unfolding and growing in a different direction. Whether you have practiced before your pregnancy or if you just started as a suggestion from your doctor or midwife, yoga is an opportunity to grow your mind, your body and your spirit. Yoga class is a great way to grow your connection to new moms also. Take time to introduce yourself to other moms in the class; you may make a lifelong friendship.
As you move through your practice this month, notice what feels steady and what still feels tender. Rooting doesn’t always look like certainty; sometimes it’s simply the willingness to pause, breathe, and listen. When you settle into a grounding pose or place your hands on your growing belly, you’re offering those intentions the nourishment they need: presence, patience, and compassion. You’re also growing the connection between you and your baby.
And then there’s the rising. As your body changes, your awareness shifts too. You may find new intentions sprouting—desires for deeper rest, more connection, or a gentler pace. You may notice your mothering instincts blooming and you may become more emotional. Let them rise without judgment. Growth is rarely linear, especially during pregnancy. Some days you’ll feel strong and expansive; other days you’ll feel quiet and inward. Both are expressions of blooming.
This month, I invite you to revisit the intentions you planted at the start of your journey. Which ones feel alive? Which ones need more space? Which ones are ready to be released? Trust that your inner garden knows exactly what to cultivate. You are growing a human, yes—but you are also growing yourself.
Record Your Growth
While you will always remember your pregnancy experience, here are some ways to preserve this journey for yourself, your family and your baby to see in the future.
Journaling: buy yourself a journal and write to your baby. Let them know how you’re feeling, how much they are growing each day/week/month until the day they arrive! Include poems, songs, or quotes that you connect with during this time of your life.
Vision Board: create a vision of your expectations of motherhood. Take monthly photos of yourself, foods you crave, places you’ve visited, the birthing room or the baby’s room. Whatever you feel you should share with your baby or those moments you want to cherish later. Optional: take photos of yourself from a side profile to watch your belly grow!
Saresa Hanna 500 RYT
Shanti Mom Prenatal Yoga
Thursdays 6:45-8pm
Return 2 Center: Yoga 