Using Yoga to Support Your Fertility & Nervous System when TTC
Jan 24, 2025
Naomi and Jennifer discussed their shared passion for supporting women during vulnerable times in their lives, particularly in the context of fertility and motherhood. They emphasised the importance of self-acceptance, mindfulness, stress management, and habit-forming practices for mental and emotional well-being, particularly in relation to fertility. They also shared their personal experiences with infertility, endometriosis, and the benefits of using yoga to support your fertility & nervous system when TTC.
Join Jen's FREE 3-Day Live Fertility Yoga Series from 28-30 January
Sign up here: www.elementpilatesyoga.com/waitlist
Meet Jen
Jennifer is a Yoga, Pilates, Meditation & Breathwork teacher. With over 15 years' experience, she specialises in fertility & women’s health. During a long & difficult fertility journey of her own, Jennifer eventually found the practice of Fertility Yoga. This practice was able to ease her anxiety while trying to conceive, relieve chronic insomnia, re-balance a thyroid condition…and eventually it helped her to fall pregnant naturally. She now runs an online business, Element Pilates & Yoga, helping women all over the world to overcome fertility challenges & find their way to motherhood. She is the host of the Your Journey to Fertility Podcast & the founder of the In Your Element Fertility Yoga Program.
www.instagram.com/jen.elementpilatesyoga
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www.youtube.com/channel/UC7OGYIuCxwJgH4KuaW1Jq4w
Interview notes:
Supporting Women Through A Fertility Journey
Naomi and Jennifer discussed their shared passion for supporting women during vulnerable times in their lives, particularly in the context of fertility and motherhood. Jennifer shared her personal journey, which began with a difficult fertility journey of her own, eventually leading her to specialize in fertility yoga. She described how her practice eased her anxiety, relieved chronic insomnia, and helped her fall pregnant naturally. Jennifer also shared her experience of losing a baby at 8 weeks, but emphasized that it wasn't her lowest point. She discovered the transformative power of fertility yoga and retrained as a yoga teacher to better understand its physiological effects on women's health.
Transitioning to Yoga for Fertility
Jennifer shared her personal journey of transitioning from teaching Pilates to focusing on yoga, particularly for pre and postnatal clients. She emphasised the benefits of yoga when trying to conceive. Naomi appreciated Jennifer's story, noting the importance of noticing small changes in one's life that can lead to significant cumulative effects. Both agreed on the importance of supporting individuals on their fertility journey, not just to improve their chances of getting pregnant, but also to help them hold hope and make meaningful changes. They also discussed the unpredictability of fertility outcomes, with Jennifer sharing her experience of six students falling pregnant within a month after working with them for 2 to 3 years. Naomi had three clients all fall pregnant in the same 8 week period after supporting them for over 2 years so they wondered if it was the same time period.
Mindfulness and Self-Acceptance in Infertility
Naomi and Jennifer discussed the importance of self-acceptance and mindfulness during infertility and fertility treatments. They emphasized the need to connect with one's emotions and not just focus on the end goal of getting pregnant. Naomi highlighted the importance of finding the right mind-body techniques and practitioners to avoid gaslighting oneself. Jennifer stressed the need to come back to one's body and trust its instincts, even during medical treatments. Both agreed that infertility can lead to personal growth and a better understanding of oneself. They also discussed the importance of resilience and not feeling completely at the mercy of treatments.
Stress, Fertility, and Complementary Therapies
Naomi and Jennifer discussed the impact of stress on fertility and the importance of regulating the nervous system. Naomi shared her personal experience of being told her stress was the cause of her infertility, and how learning to manage stress improved her situation. Jennifer explained how stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline can disrupt the body's natural processes, including digestion, critical thinking, and reproduction. She emphasized that while stress alone may not prevent pregnancy, it can make the process more difficult and lead to other health issues. Jennifer also shared her own experience of improved fertility after adopting regulating practices. The conversation highlighted the importance of understanding the science behind stress and its effects on the body, as well as the potential benefits of complementary therapies like yoga and cognitive hypnotherapy.
Resilience, Stress Management, and Balance
Naomi and Jennifer discussed the importance of resilience and stress management. They highlighted the need to go beyond just regulating stress, and instead, aim for balance. They emphasized the significance of daily practices to maintain this balance, and how these practices can help in dealing with stress and negative emotions. They also discussed the importance of not letting stress responses from thoughts spiral out of control. Jennifer shared her experience of having an adult tantrum during an acupuncture appointment, illustrating the consequences of not managing stress effectively. They concluded by suggesting that practices should be done when feeling good, as this allows for a deeper response from the body.
Habit-Forming Practices for Fertility and Well-Being
Naomi and Jennifer discussed the importance of habit-forming practices for mental and emotional well-being, particularly in relation to fertility. Naomi shared her personal experience with meditation and Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), highlighting how these practices have helped her manage her thoughts and emotions. Jennifer emphasized the significance of adapting yoga practices to align with the menstrual cycle, suggesting that different practices are needed at different times of the cycle to support hormonal balance and overall well-being. Both agreed that these practices should become habitual for optimal benefits.
Managing Endometriosis and Trying to Conceive
Naomi shared her personal experience of managing her endometriosis and trying to conceive. She initially powered through her periods with painkillers and heat patches, but later shifted her approach to celebrate her cycle and slow down during her period. She started using natural techniques like Epsom salt baths, hypnosis, and yoga to manage pain. This change in her relationship with her body led to a significant improvement in her condition, as she experienced her first period without any cramps or pain.
Yoga for Fertility and Well-Being
Jennifer and Naomi discussed the benefits of yoga and other yogic practices for fertility and overall well-being. Jennifer emphasized the importance of starting with small, manageable practices, such as 10-minute yoga sessions three times a week, and incorporating breathwork throughout the day. She also encouraged listeners to join her free 3-day live practice at the end of the month to learn more about these practices. Naomi encouraged everyone to reach out to Jennifer for more information and to subscribe to her mailing list for updates on future episodes.
Action Steps:
1. Listeners to consider joining Jennifer's free 3-day live practice at the end of the month to learn about fertility yoga.
Join Jen's FREE 3-Day Live Fertility Yoga Series from 28-30 January
Sign up here: www.elementpilatesyoga.com/waitlist
2. Interested individuals to visit Jen's website or Jennifer's Instagram for more information on her offerings.
3. Listeners to reach out to Jennifer via email if they have questions about her programs.
4. Listeners to consider joining Jennifer's group coaching program starting in early February.
5. Listeners to subscribe to the podcast to be notified of new episodes.
6. Listeners to sign up for Naomi's mailing list at embracefertility.co.uk for the 3-minute fertility reset MP3.
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Fertility Therapist
