prenatal offerings
prenatal yoga classes
This semi-private class provides our pregnant yoginis the opportunity to take a class that is led in a safe way that accounts for the many changes occurring in your bodies. Modifications will be offered to allow you to tailor the practice to your particular needs, goals, and stage of pregnancy. Hands-on assists will also be offered; if you prefer not to be adjusted, please inform your instructor before class. We recommend you bring your own mat. If you don’t have your own, we have mats available to rent for $2.
Our Prenatal instructors are highly experienced and trained in Prenatal yoga, and are excited to share their wealth of knowledge with you! To learn more about our teachers, keep on scrollin'.
prenatal yoga class schedule
prenatal yoga class pricing
because our prenatal classes are semi-private and are taught by teachers with extra training, you cannot use a regular membership or new client deal to pay for prenatal classes. instead, you can use one of our drop-in passes, or one of our special prenatal class packs:
members receive 15% off of prenatal class packages!
if you are currently an active member, your discount will automatically apply at check-out.
if you've already frozen your regular membership, you can still get the member discount - just email Info@EastSideYogaDC.com and we'll get you set up!
$92
($23/class)
$168
($21/class)
becoming the best birth partner
with Rebecca Henry
See the Prenatal tab on our MindBody Site for schedule
Becoming the Best Birth Partner is a hands-on, yoga-based, childbirth education workshop for pregnant people and their birth partners.
Join prenatal yoga teacher and birth and postpartum doula Rebecca Henry for a fun partner workshop that will bring together childbirth education and yoga techniques to help you learn how to be a rock-solid birth partner.
Many of the postures and breathing techniques practiced in prenatal yoga classes are not only natural birthing positions, but can also serve as comfort during pregnancy as well as early and active labor, especially when enhanced with additional support and pressure from the hands of a loving partner.
Women often intuitively know what positions serve them best during labor, but partners are often at a loss of how best they can help them move between and support them in these positions. Natural labor progression is always enhanced when a mom feels supported and comforted by the people surrounding her.
This workshop will focus on teaching birth partners how they can take an active, physical role in the pregnancy, labor and birth process, and therefore be a more relaxing presence for mom. Working with both mom and partner, Rebecca will show birth partners how to guide, and support the laboring woman, both at home and in the hospital, so that she can find her inner strength to bring forth baby.
Together you’ll learn the basics of what to expect during labor, along with partner enhanced poses and other relaxation techniques that you can use throughout the remainder of pregnancy and labor to ease stress, anxiety and pain, and to promote relaxation and calm so that you can both work to bring baby into the world surrounded with love and joy!
No yoga experience necessary, please wear comfortable clothing you can move in. Anyone who is supporting a woman during labor is a birth partner (parents, siblings, friends, romantic partners) – couples of any kind are welcome!
workshop pricing
$99 per couple
postnatal offerings
postnatal yoga for strength + core series
with Rebecca Henry
Click here for more details and to sign up!
Rebecca will be leading this fun and upbeat 6-week workshop series designed to help you reconnect with your core and strengthen your post-baby body, as well as meet some other new mommas in the neighborhood! With a cap at 6 yogis, these classes will be semi-private and will be taught in a safe yet challenging manner, with modifications offered.
Diastasis, pelvic floor, and postural issues will be discussed, and all core work is designed to be safe for a diastasis. All levels of student are welcome - no yoga experience necessary!
Yoginis should be cleared by their provider for physical activity at their 6 or 8-week postpartum appointment before enrolling in this series. Ask your obstetrician/midwife to check you for diastasis (separation of abdominal muscles).
Pricing: $120 for 6 weeks
$65 for 3 weeks
*This 6-week specialized series is separate from individual classes you can take at ESY.
**To run this series, we need at least 3 students signed up. If we do not have at least 3 students enrolled 24 hours before the start, then we will cancel and give you a full refund.
our instructors
stephanie cruse
Stephanie began practicing yoga in 2006 and enjoys learning something new each time she practices yoga and meditation. After having her son in 2012, she found yoga to be a grounding practice in the midst of crazy baby/toddler life, and became a yoga teacher in 2014. Becoming a yoga teacher has deepened her own personal practice and she is happy to offer students a respite from the everyday hustle and bustle.
Students will find her vinyasa-flow style of teaching to be accessible with options for challenge, combined with opportunities to deepen their understanding of the spirit-ful side of yoga. She also believes that yoga should be fun and aims to provide a relaxed atmosphere for students to practice yoga and get their zen on.
Stephanie is a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT-200) and RPYT (Registered Prenatal Yoga Teacher) with the Yoga Alliance. She is also certified through BirthWorks as a Childbirth Educator, and is the owner of MamaChakra, serving Northern Virginia and the Metro DC Area. When she’s not busy being a yoga orbirth junkie, Stephanie loves to move, whether it’s dancing, swimming or kickboxing. She also loves collapsing on the couch at the end of the day and watching deliciously-awful reality TV shows.
maria sakaria
Maria Sakaria began her yoga teaching journey by assisting a prenatal class and several preparing for birth workshops, led by a midwife and seasoned prenatal yoga instructor. After those two years, while learning everything about Prenatal Yoga and completing her RYT200, she pursued a 25hr Prenatal Yoga Teacher training followed by a 85hr Prenatal Yoga Teacher Training (PRYT85) recognized by Yoga Alliance.
She has completed her Doula certification and is a Professional Doula as she uses her experience to help expecting moms in all her classes. Maria has led several preparing for birth workshops of her own and assists couples on their journey to becoming parents as well as how to overcome challenges while giving birth.
She has also completed her 500hr Teacher Training and presented her Advanced Teacher Training Thesis & Workshop on the "Benefits of Prenatal Yoga". Maria is a Licensed Massage Therapist and works with prenatal clients providing them with relief and techniques to overcome physical challenges during pregnancy. She brings compassion, a nurturing touch and attention to proper alignment in her teaching and assisting, while providing her students with the tools to make pregnancy, labor and motherhood a little smoother.
rebecca henry
Rebecca stumbled upon yoga and meditation in 1998 by happy accident, finding a daily practice to be essential to getting at first through the stresses of school, and then into work and home as life moved forward. She has been exploring the benefits of her practice on and off the mat ever since.
Rebecca trained at Willow Street Yoga in Takoma Park for her RYT-200 certification and is currently working toward her 85 hour PRYT (Prenatal Yoga Teacher) certification with Deb Flashenburg of the Prenatal Yoga Center of NY (expected February, 2019). She has also completed specialized training in Restorative Yoga.
As birth and postpartum doula, she emphasizes childbirth education and body awareness in her prenatal classes, bringing these practical aspects together with a warm, nurturing teaching style. She strives to bring little bit of fun and humor along with a deep sense of compassion to every class. When she is not on the mat she is usually found at home with her husband, two sons and two cats, cooking, gardening or knitting.
