Nurturing the Mind: How Yoga Supports Maternal Mental Health

Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week is 5th to 11th May - time to reflect on what it means and why the mental and emotional wellbeing of mothers is so vitally important.

Maternal mental health is a critical but often overlooked aspect of pregnancy and postpartum care. From hormonal shifts to the emotional toll of new responsibilities, many women face challenges such as anxiety, depression, and overwhelm during and after pregnancy. Prioritizing mental wellness during this transformative time is essential — not only for mothers but also for the well-being of their families.  The old saying that you can't pour from an empty cup is never more important than when that cup feeds and nurtures our children, runs households and sometimes bears the bulk of the mental load making sure everyone is fed, watered and where they need to be!

Many women are reluctant to seek help during that perinatal period because of stigma, fear of being judged or looking unable to ‘cope’  but how we care for ourselves and how we keep an eye out for our friends and family is essential to overcome this – to help women ask for that help when its needed – whether it’s as simple as having a chat over a cuppa, someone to mind the baby while you have a shower or go for a walk or someone to signpost you to a health professional.

It'll be no surprise that I believe yoga is a gentle but powerful tool to support your mental health in that perinatal period. It most definitely helped me beyond measure in those early days of recovery and in coming to terms with a changing body and the demands of motherhood. Truth be told it still helps me handle motherhood today - although I have no small babies - each stage of raising a family is filled with it's own challenges - another blog at another time no doubt!

Time on my mat a few weeks before Aoife was born.

Time on my mat with Aoife's little feet.

Yoga offers more than physical benefits. Its focus on breath, mindfulness, and connection to the body can significantly ease emotional strain. Prenatal and postnatal yoga practices are specifically designed to support a mother's changing body while also calming the nervous system. Regular practice can help reduce cortisol levels (the stress hormone), improve sleep, and create a sense of groundedness.

Here’s how yoga can help:

• Reduces Anxiety and Stress: Deep breathing and gentle movement stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting relaxation and reducing feelings of overwhelm.

• Improves Mood: Movement and breathwork can help increase serotonin and dopamine levels, both essential for emotional well-being.

• Builds Community: Many prenatal and postnatal yoga classes foster a sense of connection, reducing isolation and offering a supportive space to share experiences. Anyone who has been to my pregnancy or postnatal classes will know that we encourage chat, that there is no topic that can't be discussed and that I have no real filters when it comes to sharing what I feel might be helpful, or that will at least let you know that you're not alone.

• Promotes Mind-Body Awareness: Yoga encourages tuning into the body’s signals, which is invaluable during pregnancy and postpartum recovery.

Ultimately, yoga empowers mothers to pause, breathe, and reconnect — not just with their changing bodies, but with themselves. As awareness grows around maternal mental health, integrating practices like yoga can offer accessible, nurturing support through every stage of motherhood.

A simple gesture of touch as a reminder you are loved and supported.