Pregnancy did not come easily for my body, but a regular yoga and meditation practice helped me feel great!
I blend energy, breath and mindfulness practices into a specific set of yoga poses that help mitigate some of the natural side effects of pregnancy, such as; reduced capacity for breath, neck/shoulder aches, low back tension/SI joint instability and puffy, swollen extremities. One of my primary focal points is developing pelvic floor awareness and strength.
The physical postures help our body feel better. The pelvic floor exercises help us heal faster post birth. And the energy and mindfulness practices reduce stress, while connecting our mind to our growing body and baby.
I use my intuition to scan the room (or my client, if it’s a one-on-one session) and create a unique practice for you. I’m very hands-on, unless you prefer me not to be. I respect your body’s wishes to be adjusted verbally or physically or both.
The beauty and challenge of pregnancy is that it teaches us to trust the process and not try to control the result. In doing so, we merge into the flow of creation and ultimately, the flow of life itself. My private clients have included celebrities as well as mamas from all walks of life.
Testimonials:
A day after my c-section, I was on the hospital bed getting ready to nurse my son. I sat almost half lotus style as the nurse handed me my son, and she gasped, “wait, you just had a c-section? What are you…a yogi?!”. I couldn’t help but smile and think of Aria’s prenatal yoga classes. Aria really helped me prepare my body for my greatest journey. Just when I was feeling some pain in my wrists, she did a class focusing on carpel tunnel, which is a common side effect of pregnancy. Just when my back/neck/shoulders were stiffening in new places, she did a class focusing on creating more space. Good Day LA and Fox Morning News Anchor – Julie Chang
–“This class was such a mainstay of my pregnancy. All of the other prenatal yoga classes I tried were way too easy and kind of felt like I wasn’t getting a workout at all. Aria knows how strong pregnant women are! She also offers modifications throughout but you never feel like you are just going through the motions. I also loved bringing my baby after the birth. So special!” – Melissa T, via YELP
“Aria’s yoga is a true blessing for prenatal and postnatal mothers and their babies. I have been going to her class for almost a year so I have a perspective from both sides of my labor. (I am tempted to get pregnant again just so I can stay in her class!) From my shaky first trimester to my overdue delivery, she has been a guiding light who helped me stay grounded, mobile, and present throughout my entire pregnancy. Her class provides a sacred space to connect with yourself and your baby, and other moms. A space to grow, transform and trust your inner strength and beauty – all helping you to prepare for labor. Now in postpartum, I find refuge in this class as new challenges of being a mom arise. The best part, however, about going to class now might be that I can make faces at my baby while dangling over her in half moon pose! The energy Aria brings, her knowledge, her power, her playlist, the meditations, the flow… everything about this class is, like I said, a true blessing for us all.” – Angie W., via YELP.
I feel so blessed for having met Aria at prenatal Yoga. She gave me all the tools and self-confidence to prepare myself physically and mentally for the birth I had envisioned. Not only was I physically challenged in class, but I have also never felt more connected to my unborn baby. It was true joy being part of that class and I still miss it. Looking forward to seeing you for Baby Number Two . – Jessica M,
I was Jessica Alba’s private yoga instructor with Baby Haven
Aria helped me so much during my pregnancy. I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes and it was hard for me to move, but Aria knew exactly how to tune in to the specific needs of my body and what I could handle. Thanks to her I was able to keep active for most of my pregnancy, and stay healthy and strong throughout. I highly recommend her for all the pregnant Mama’s looking to stay active and healthy! – Nadja D, via Facebook
I took prenatal yoga with Aria for both of my pregnancies and now as my private yoga instructor. Can’t get enough of her teaching and her light. She is not only knowledgeable about pregnancy, birth, yoga, meditation…, but she is also a very wise person who gives very thoughtful suggestions and genuinely cares about people around her.
I was very lucky to have her in my life during my pregnancies and at the birth of my son as my doula. It felt like I had a very gentle guide through the process. — Silvie H.via YELP
This woman is strong. Not just physically, but emotionally and mentally. Her strength doesn’t overshadow yours, nor does she pit it against you in order for you to “do more.” Instead, Aria uses her strength so you can – and want to – reach and stretch higher, and for longer, while still understanding the limitations of a pregnant body. I walked away from every class with Aria feeling refreshed, lightened and healthier. Her meditations are calming, yet energizing, and her focus on core work post-baby is so valuable. She is a great woman, I highly recommend her as a yoga instructor, doula and spiritual leader. “ – Shana B.
Aria is a wonderful and totally in-tune yoga instructor. She understands the limitations of a pregnant woman’s body and is right on with providing quick alternative poses. Her meditations are intuitive and spiritual and I’ve really enjoyed practicing with her. I would highly recommend her classes! – Azadeh L.
“Aria is amazing! I took her prenatal class in Venice throughout my entire pregnancy. I had a great pregnancy–was strong, active, had no aches and pains, no reflux, no nausea– and Aria’s class had everything to do with it. When I’d miss a week I would start feeling fatigue or an ache come on, and by the next week after class it would be gone. – Melissa T.
Aria is a rare combination: she creates a positive space, is genuinely supportive and sweet, and also extremely intelligent. She understands anatomy and always makes sure your alignment is correct. She has an encyclopedic knowledge of everything prenatal and spends time before and after class answering students’ questions and calming anxieties. Personally, she helped me through my issues with being late–42.5 weeks–gave me lots of advice and recommendations.” – HK, via YELP
“I can’t say enough good things about Aria who I was taken prenatal yoga classes with last two months of my pregnancy. I think I would never pull off such an easy labor without learning from her yoga techniques of breathing and strengthening body muscles that were so useful during labor! I was able to walk and I felt great few hours later after delivering my daughter last Thursday. I didn’t even feel sore afterwards! I can’t thank her enough for being my yoga teacher and would recommend doing yoga with Aria while you are pregnant or recently had your your baby. She is awesome!!!” – Lyuda L, via VENICEMOMS.
“Since I have been taking Aria’s pre-natal yoga classes, my body has lost tension in my low back, and her class has helped me with building strength in my knees so they’ve now stopped from popping out of place. And I can now envision my child birthing without pain medications! I am truly excited to be pregnant and full of vitality!” – Tessa S, via YELP
“I had never tried yoga before and as a first time mom to be, 7 months pregnant and anxious about the pregnancy, labor and delivery, I decided to give private yoga sessions with Aria a try. I am so happy I did, as my experience with Aria far exceeded my expectations.
Poses were modified to accommodate my belly and inexperience with yoga. Meditation was incorporated to help me relax and bond with my unborn child. And her experience as a doula was invaluable when I mentioned my concerns about labor. These yoga sessions were one of the best things I could have done for myself in those final weeks before delivering my baby. Thanks Aria!” — Isabel D.
I want to thank you for everything your class did to prep me for birth. I really think your class helped me deal physically and emotionally. All of those chair poses and squats really really helped!! I labored in chair pose a lot during early and active labor- and noticed a huge difference with the spacing of my contractions. They were much closer together. – Katy MB
“I am so glad I found Aria for my pre/post natal yoga practice. She is perfect. She really helped me to prepare both physically (great work out!)and emotionally (great meditation!) for the birth of my baby boy. Aria teaches yoga with integrity, deep spirituality and lots of helpful direction. She is also a wonderful and inspiring person.” — Ana D.
I met Aria when I was pregnant with my first child. Pregnancy brings about so many extraordinary changes our bodies and Yoga with Aria was an out of body experience. I looked forward to our sessions which were always energizing and uplifting and would stet the stage for the rest of the day would be like. I always walked away after class so in touch with my baby…my body. I am forever grateful for how much I learnt and embrace din our classes. Being pregnant was a very special time in my file. Birthing was quite a journey but learning techniques to overcome situations and knowing what to expect were extremely helpful. No one could have prepared me better. Thank you, Aria! – Shana N.