Pregnancy Yoga: Zen, Stress, and Awkward Introductions

Before I begin, let me set the scene: A room full of pregnant women on pastel yoga mats, calming music softly playing, the scent of lavender essential oils wafting through the air, and an aura of pure serenity. Sounds perfect, right?

Except it wasn’t.

At 13 weeks pregnant, I decided to dip my toes into the seemingly gentle world of prenatal yoga. I envisioned calm stretching, bonding quietly with my bump, and maybe, just maybe, achieving some kind of maternal inner peace.

Reality hit differently.

The yoga itself was lovely, don’t get me wrong. It was the mandatory group introduction sessions at the start of every class that transformed my would-be zen experience into something resembling an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting.

Every week, without fail, we had to circle around and introduce ourselves:

“Name, weeks pregnant, and how your week has been.”

The instructor always chirped kindly, “You don’t have to share if you don’t want to,” but let’s be real—it wasn’t exactly optional. Everyone shared. Every. Single. Time.

And there I sat, anxiety creeping up my spine as I mentally rehearsed my lines, fully aware that my authentic experience wasn’t exactly “yoga-class-friendly.”

Imagine if I’d actually been honest:

“Hi, I’m Jodie. I’m 13 weeks pregnant, chronically constipated, unpredictably gassy, cry spontaneously at least four times a week, currently unemployed, grappling with existential regret about moving back to the UK, and oh—I just got a new English Bulldog puppy who thinks she’s a human toddler.”

Wouldn’t that have gone down a treat?

Instead, I found myself saying vague things like, “Oh yeah, feeling good, just a bit tired,” while internally screaming from the sheer social pressure of it all.

Beneath my carefully rehearsed introductions was genuine anxiety—not just about fitting in at yoga, but about navigating early pregnancy, feeling emotionally uprooted, and constantly questioning if I was doing any of this ‘right.’ Prenatal yoga, like so many pregnancy rituals, came with an unspoken expectation: be positive, radiant, and grateful, even if you’re barely holding it together.

One session, a new woman joined our group. She looked visibly anxious, her hands slightly trembling. When it was her turn, she quietly explained she had recently been diagnosed with Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG). Her voice cracked as she spoke, and an uncomfortable silence filled the room. I vividly remembered reading about a woman in the UK who had recently taken her own life after battling HG, and my heart instantly broke. I desperately wanted this new woman to feel safe, supported, and validated—but instead, the room simply remained silent, awkwardly respectful but emotionally distant.

It was at that moment I realized how vital authenticity and emotional safety are—especially in spaces meant for vulnerable people. This weekly discomfort wasn’t just social anxiety—it tapped into deeper questions of identity, mental well being, and a profound sense of loneliness at a time I’d been told was supposed to be joyful.

Eventually, I quit. Not because of downward dogs or warrior poses, but because pretending to be fine every week while internally combusting was more exhausting than pregnancy itself.

Moral of the story? Sometimes seeking comfort can unexpectedly amplify your anxiety. And that’s okay.

If you’re also navigating prenatal classes or groups that feel like awkward social experiments—take comfort. You’re not alone. We’re all secretly scripting our way through pregnancy, one uncomfortable yoga mat introduction at a time.

And for what it’s worth, if anyone out there decides to be radically honest in their next prenatal yoga introduction, please record it. I’ll bring the popcorn.

Namaste (and good luck).

Lets get REAL for a moment. Below are some legit, amazing resources available for anyone struggling with their mental health, physical health during pregnancy.

💛 Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG) Support:

Pregnancy Sickness Support
https://www.pregnancysicknesssupport.org.uk
→ Offers info, peer support, helplines, and resources specifically for HG.

The HER Foundation (International but includes UK support)
https://www.hyperemesis.org
→ Education, medical info, and emotional support for people with HG.

🧠 Mental Health in Pregnancy/Postnatal:

PANDAS Foundation UK
https://pandasfoundation.org.uk
→ Support for antenatal and postnatal depression, anxiety, and more. Helpline, email support, peer support groups.

Mind UK – Perinatal Mental Health
https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/postnatal-and-perinatal-mental-health
→ Covers symptoms, treatment options, and where to get help.

Tommy’s – Mental Wellbeing in Pregnancy
https://www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/im-pregnant/mental-wellbeing
→ Tips, research, and support for managing mental health during pregnancy.

📞 General Mental Health Support (24/7):

Samaritans
Call: 116 123
https://www.samaritans.org

Shout (Text-based Crisis Support)
Text SHOUT to 85258
https://giveusashout.org