Turtle Tums Aquanatal Yoga Classes

In Aquanatal Yoga, your movements are supported by water, which can feel lighter on your joints and bump. The exercises in our Turtle Tums programme are specifically chosen to help improve core stability, maintain mobility and reduce any back and joint pain. 

In pregnancy yoga, you’re on a mat, and the sessions tend to involve more traditional floor-based movements and stretches. 

Both can be invaluable for supporting your strength, flexibility and posture throughout pregnancy, as well as helping you practise breathing, relaxation and coping strategies for labour. They both also offer a calm environment to tune into your body and begin the early stages of bonding with your growing baby. 

Many Turtle Tums mums enjoy a mix of both water-based and land-based yoga sessions – it’s about what feels right for you. 

Yes. Being in water takes the pressure off your spine and pelvis, which may ease lower-back or pelvic girdle pain related to pregnancy.  

The water also supports your joints while you move, which boosts circulation and may reduce swelling in your hands, feet and ankles.  

Your Turtle Tums teacher will always help you adapt exercises if you’re experiencing pain, and will remind you to stop anything that makes discomfort worse. If new pain appears or existing pain suddenly gets worse, speak to your midwife or GP. 

For most healthy pregnancies, you don’t need permission. But we always recommend letting your midwife or GP know you’re planning to start Aquanatal Yoga classes, so they can give you any advice specific to your individual pregnancy. 

There are two things to think about: when your baby can start swimming, and when you personally feel ready to get back in the pool. 

NHS guidance says there is no minimum age for a baby to start swimming – there’s no need to wait until they’ve had their vaccinations, as long as they are well.  

If you want to get into the pool with your baby, NHS advice is to wait until at least seven days after your postnatal bleeding has stopped to reduce the risk of infection. Ideally, wait until after your six-week GP check for complete peace of mind. 

If you’d like your baby to start swimming lessons earlier than this, a partner, grandparent or other trusted adult can bring them to their Turtle Tots baby swimming lessons while you continue to recover. 

For most mums-to-be, it’s safe to swim or attend Aquanatal Yoga classes throughout all three trimesters, as long as you and your baby are healthy, you feel comfortable, and you listen to your body.  

Many Turtle Tums mums carry on right up until late pregnancy, adapting movements as their bump grows. Your teacher will always encourage you to rest, step out or modify anything that doesn’t feel right. 

Of course, every pregnancy is different. If you have any medical conditions, pregnancy complications or have been advised to limit exercise, follow your midwife or doctor’s guidance first and foremost. 

Yes! Turtle Tums Aquanatal Yoga classes take place in warm shallow pools in selected locations across the UK. If you can’t swim, our teachers will ensure that you are fully supported and stick to areas of the pool where you are comfortable.

If you would feel more relaxed with your partner accompanying you, please speak to our team and we’ll ensure that arrangements are put in place for you.

We recommend that you ask your midwife to get the latest advice and personal guidance on taking part in any activity during your pregnancy. However, mums-to-be can often start Aquanatal Yoga classes from week 14 of their pregnancy.

Your normal swimming costume should be fine in the early stages of pregnancy but you may wish to purchase or borrow a pregnancy specific swimming costume as your bump starts to develop. Some women find wearing a sports bra under their costume offers them more support but is not a necessity.

Our Turtle Tums Aquanatal Yoga classes are designed to prepare your body and mind for the arrival of your newborn. The exercises in our programme help to improve core stability, maintain mobility and muscle tone, improve posture and reduce back and joint pain.

Our relaxation sessions give you the opportunity to develop an awareness of the baby growing inside of you and begin the early stages of bonding.