What Makes a Skilled Prenatal Yoga Teacher?

Prenatal yoga is more than just a gentle practice for expectant mothers — it’s a deeply intuitive, evidence-informed approach that supports both the body and emotions during a time of profound transformation. At Yogacampus, we’re proud to partner with Birthlight to offer teacher training that’s rooted in decades of pioneering research and perinatal care.

In a recent Birthlight blog, Birthlight founder Françoise Freedman shared what she believes are the three defining qualities of a truly skilled prenatal yoga teacher. Her insights are a must-read for anyone considering teaching in this space — or already doing so with heart and care.

1. An Understanding That Goes Beyond Technique

Françoise explains that while alignment and sequencing are important, the essence of prenatal yoga is “not what we teach but how we teach.” A skilled teacher brings a sensitivity to the subtle — creating space for women to feel seen, heard, and held, both physically and emotionally.

This means reading the room, adjusting to different stages of pregnancy, and offering practices that nurture autonomy and trust in the body. In Françoise’s words, it’s about “teaching from within, from an inner sensitivity, rather than from a place of authority.”

2. A Commitment to Both Tradition and Evolution

Birthlight's approach is rooted in both ancient wisdom and modern science — blending yoga philosophy, breathwork, and postural awareness with current understanding of maternal physiology and psychology.

What sets it apart? According to Françoise: “We have kept yoga central but made it more accessible, especially for women who may not have practised before pregnancy.” This accessible yet profound approach ensures every student — regardless of background — can benefit from the practice.

3. The Power of Presence and Connection

One of the most powerful tools a teacher has is their presence. Françoise reminds us that prenatal yoga is not about performance but about holding space: “In the prenatal period, the quality of touch, of voice, of attention matter more than instructions.”

It’s this attentiveness — to what is said and unsaid — that builds the trust necessary for real connection and empowerment.

Ready to Step into this Work?

If you feel called to support women through one of the most tender and powerful times of their lives, consider training with Birthlight through Yogacampus.

Our Birthlight Postnatal Yoga Teacher Training (Online) starts 17th October 2025 with Kirsteen Ruffell, and our Birthlight Perinatal Yoga Teacher Training (Blended) follows on 28th November. These are not just courses — they’re initiations into a lineage of care, connection, and intelligent movement.

Explore what it means to be truly skilled. Not through performance — but through presence.