Dig Pregnancy, Birth, & Baby: A Conscious & Empowered Approach to Prenatal & Postnatal Yoga

by Sue Elkind, Dr Douglas Brooks (Foreword)

Dig Pregnancy, Birth and Baby is a comprehensive resource for pregnant women, new moms, yoga students and instructors. The book includes wonderfully illustrated prenatal and postnatal yoga sequences, as well as detailed sections on prenatal yoga essentials, what's happening with mama and baby, prenatal nutrition and pregnancy conditions. This text moves far beyond simply prenatal and postnatal fitness, providing women with empowering knowledge for a lifetime.

115 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Danah Kamal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first discovered Sue Elkind through Yoga International’s website with her The Complete Pregnancy Program. Although it was short, I found it incredibly beneficial, and it greatly helped me in my prenatal yoga classes!

I’ve just finished reading this book, and I loved how it covered every phase of pregnancy—starting with planning, miscarriage and infertility, nutrition, the three trimesters, and postpartum. The attention to detail in addressing a pregnant woman’s needs was impressive. I especially appreciated the inclusion of various birth stories, which help normalize different experiences and remind us to embrace our unique journey, whether or not our birth plan unfolds as expected. The additional resources provided were also valuable.

However, I would have loved more detailed information throughout, along with a dedicated yoga sequence for each trimester. More guidance on backbends and inversions would have been helpful as well, especially since improper practice can be risky, particularly for beginners. Additionally, safer variations could have been included as alternatives.

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read this book and had the opportunity to study this program with Sue. Knowing yoga is not the same as knowing prenatal and post-natal yoga. There are so many more aspects that teaching yoga for momma and baby/support network takes special consideration and approaches to ensure safety. This book is far more than predesigned yoga routines. IT explores many facets and is engrained with many personal experiences and time-applied practices through teaching many students.

if you can't take Sues's class, I highly suggest starting with this book to be better prepared to teach yoga when you have the mom pop in, or if you plan on teaching a dedicated natal class.

Reading this book also helps other yoga styles like restoratives, golden age yoga and Trauma-informed yoga

[Gabby · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE this book. Lots of great information beyond just prenatal yoga. Infertility yoga flow, chanting...

[Alaina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm in my prenatal yoga teacher training and this book is on the required reading list and it should be. I would recommend this to any pregnant woman. It is a thin, manageable book- looks like a workbook. The benefits to yoga are explained and I love that the sequences are a stick figured pregnant woman rather than a model who you inevitably compare yourself to. There are some birth stories towards the end that might cause anxiety, however, they all end well, are all different and help to show: there is no "perfect plan", you are the perfect mother for your baby, let go of expectations, and your baby might have a different plan than you. The book mentions nutrition, oils, and asanas that might help particular situations. Overall the most accessible book I've read so far with prenatal yoga.