Yoga for moms to be

Sussex County-While various types and levels of Yoga classes have been a available to county residents for a number of years Tri-state Yoga, owned and directed by Regina Walenczyk offers gentle Hatha Yoga for prenatal and post-partum moms. "Tri-state Yoga has prenatal, postpartum Mommy and Me gentle yoga and senior yoga in various locations within the tri-state area. My classes in Sussex County are held in Sparta, Hamburg and Wantage," said Walenczyk. Walenczyk is a certified and registered yoga instructor with Yoga Alliance, a national organization which establishes the qualifications which instructors must meet to assure its members are qualified to teach the public. On Sunday mornings at 9:30, a group of moms-to-be gathered for the prenatal yoga class which is held in the Garden of Life Massage &Yoga Center on Main Street in Hamburg. In these classes participants learn how to safely strengthen their abdominal muscles in order to maintain postural integrity during pregnancy. They also gain and maintain strength and flexibility during pregnancy as well as learn how to use yoga for labor and delivery. "This is my third pregnancy, and I feel so relaxed after the classes," said Jenn Kaden form Hardyston who has been practicing yoga for five years. "It prepares you for the birth experience, and I would recommend it to anyone, even those who have never done yoga before," A physician's note is required and the classes are open to all stages of pregnancy and to all levels of ability. "The earlier in the pregnancy you start the better, these classes help women to feel better about their pregnancies and shows them that birthing doesn't have to be painful and frightening," Walenczyk said. "My classes are intimate, so that if a woman has any specific concern it can be addressed right away," she added. The Mommy and Me classes are geared towards moms and babies, six weeks to crawling. "In this class we learn how to regain strength after giving birth and to practice yoga with baby," said Walenczyk. Other classes include Thai yoga therapy, Reiki therapy and gentle Hatha yoga which are open to everyone at any fitness level. For more information call 201-230-5732 or log on to www.tristateyoga.net