with Susannah Hoffman
November 2026 – January 2027
pregnancy yoga teacher training
overview
This course is open to yoga teachers, yoga practitioners with a minimum of 2 years continuous practice, as well as midwives and doulas.
“The breathing and sound work made a HUGE difference to my birth experience and I’m so thankful for all your help.”
— Krina
“Just wanted to drop you a quick note to say thank you for your weekly yoga classes — they were incredibly grounding over the pandemic.”
— Ratika
“Thank you so much for the tips, I was using maaa and a,e,i,o,u till I got to 9.5 cm and that worked great!”
“I wanted to thank you so much for the amazing classes. I am really looking forward to the mummy and me classes in the new year.”
— Shahira
“I took your online pregnancy classes last year and they were an absolute lifesaver! I took them throughout the summer and had my baby in September.”
— Lucy
“I wanted to let you know again how much I enjoyed your classes, I believe they had an extremely positive effect on my pregnancy experience. Definitely one of the highlights of my week.”
— Roni
course content
Irene Vine will cover (on day one)
– The changing body during pregnancy, physical and hormonal changes, broken down into trimesters, what to expect in each, what is common and what is not
– Optimal fetal position
– Stages of labour and delivery
– Overview of complications during pregnancy and postnatal
Susannah Hoffman will cover– Asana for each trimester
– How relaxin affects the pregnant woman
– Suitable poses and what to avoid with SPD
– Appropriate breathing exercises for pregnancy and labour
– Mudras
– Grey areas, squatting, pelvic floor, etc.
– Compassionate communication and creating a sharing space to encourage students to honour the process
– Use of sound in labour
– Lesson planning and sequencing, including how to accommodate all students in your class
– Creating a space where students feel relaxed and energised
– Restorative yoga and chair/wall yoga
– Ethical, social and cultural awareness for pregnancy
– Partner work
– Birth positions
course structure
The training takes place over two weekends:
21 + 22 November 2026
16 + 17 January 2027
Saturdays: 9.30am – 5pm
Sundays: 10am – 5pm
Total contact hours: 28 hours
The second weekend takes place in January to allow time for class attendance and completion of written work.
learning outcomes
1. Anatomy and Physiology
Understanding Changes: Deep knowledge of the physical, hormonal, and anatomical adaptations of the body across all three trimesters.
Pelvic Health: Comprehensive understanding of the pelvic floor, the pelvis, and how to maintain stability.
Foetal Positioning: Knowledge of optimal foetal positioning and yoga poses that support it.
2. Teaching Methodology & Asana
Asana Modifications: Ability to modify traditional yoga poses for safety, comfort, and accessibility using props and, when necessary, to omit poses entirely.
Trimester-Specific Sequencing: Learning to design classes that address the specific needs of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd trimesters.
Safe Practice Guidelines: Identifying contraindications and safe practices.
Using Props: Expert use of bolsters, blocks, chairs, and blankets to aid support, especially in the later stages.
3. Pranayama, Meditation, and Relaxation
Teaching breathing techniques to help manage pain and anxiety during pregnancy and labor.
Relaxation & Imagery: Guiding students through visualisations, positive affirmations, and yoga nidra to foster a deep connection with the baby and reduce stress.
Nervous System Regulation: Understanding the role of the parasympathetic nervous system in supporting a calm pregnancy and birth.
4. Birth Preparation & Empowerment
Active Birth Techniques: Incorporating movements (such as using a birth ball) that prepare the body for labor.
Creating a Safe Space: Learning how to hold a nurturing, non-judgmental space that empowers women, allowing them to feel supported and confident in their own body wisdom.
Trauma-Aware Teaching: Developing awareness of how to support students who may have experienced previous birth trauma.
5. Professionalism and Business
Class Structuring: Planning and executing a well-rounded 60-75 minute prenatal or postnatal class.
Ethics & Scope: Understanding professional boundaries, including when to refer students to health professionals.
Setting Up Business: Marketing, creating a health questionnaire, and establishing a safe, welcoming, and inclusive business.
eligibility + pre-requisites
All students are required to:
Submit 2 pieces of written work from a selection of topics covered
Attend a minimum of 2 pregnancy classes
Create a lesson plan
Practice teach
accreditation
Successful completion leads to registration as a Registered Prenatal Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance Professionals.
additional information
Susannah Hoffman
Susannah has been teaching yoga for nearly 30 years and teaching Pregnancy Yoga at Triyoga since 2005. She is a mother and an experienced doula. She trained with the renowned obstetrician Michele Odent and has attended over 17 births, including delivering a baby who arrived quicker than the midwife.
Susannah began teaching pregnancy yoga after discovering how much it helped her during her own pregnancy.
Irene Vine
Irene is an independent midwife covering Suffolk, Essex, East London and Cambridge. She has over 12 years of experience in the maternity world. She first trained as a doula in 2013, then became a student midwife at Basildon Hospital, followed by working as a midwife in the community and birth centre in Romford.
In 2024, Irene became an independent private midwife so she could practise what she describes as the most authentic form of midwifery.
cost
application fee: Two options. Option 1 £595 if paid in full. Option 2: £645 if paid in instalments (3 x £215)
course fee: 2 options of payment available.
venue
Camden
contact
Emily Riley [email protected]
faculty
Susannah Hoffman
Irene Vine
