About Cheryl...

Cheryl MacDonald BA (Hons) RPYT HBCE BSYA
Glasgow West End

Cheryl currently teaches: Pre natal yoga, HypnoBirthing, Baby Massage, Mum & Baby Yoga and is the founder and director teacher of YogaBellies

I have been practicing Yoga for over 14 years and first became interested in yoga while studying for a Bachelor of Arts Honours Dergree at the University of Strathclyde and have practiced and taught yoga in Hatha, Dynamic and Ashtanga Vinyasa and Flow yoga styles among others, over the years. I am a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT 200) and Registered Prenatal Yoga Teacher (RPYT) with Yoga Alliance and completed a rigorous 200 hours Yoga Teacher Training Programme with Chi Yoga School. I am also a FEDANT appoved antenatal educator and practitioner. Cheryl (and YogaBellies) is also a member of AIMS (Association for Improvements in the Maternity Services) and supports narutal birth. I am also a member of the Birthlight comunity which support mums and babies pre and post natally.

I live in the West End of Glasgow with my husband and my son and I (and now baby!) enjoy a daily yoga practice :) I trained in and practice Ashtanga Yoga and my yoga teaching style is based around Ashtanga's dynamic and flowing style. I gave birth to my first child in October 2009 and used HypnoBirthing and Yoga to ensure that I had a beautiful, drug free birth that actively involved my husband and baby.

My Qualifications...

Yoga and Meditation

I have been practicing yoga for around 14 years and have taught Ashtanga and Core Yoga classes as well as Pre and Post natal classes in that time. I am a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT 200) with Yoga Alliance and have completed a rigorous 200 hours Yoga Teacher Training Programme. I was also recently the first yoga teacher in the UK to be awarded (RPYT) Registered Prenatal Yoga Teacher accreditation by Yoga Alliance, meaning that I have extensive prenatal yoga teaching experince and have completed advance training in this field. As part of my continuing yoga education, I am currently undertaking training in Core Strength Vinyasa Yoga with the inspiring and world famous yoga teacher Sadie Nardini. 

I have also completed 'With Child' Pre Natal Yoga Teacher Training. In addition to this, I have completed further Pre and Post Natal Yoga Teacher Training and Children's Yoga Training (including Mum and Baby Yoga) with the British School of Yoga (BSYA.) I have also completed Advanced Post Natal Yoga teacher training with Francoise Freedman of Birthlight enabling me to help mums emotionally and physcially after birth. Around 5 years ago, I studied to become a certified Transformation Meditation Teacher and have undertaken further training and gained certification on teaching Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, as yoga philosophy is of special interest to me.

Pre Natal Hypnosis, Birth Art Therapy and Childbirth Education

I am also a certified HypnoBirthing and Childbirth Birth Educator (HBCE) with HypnoBirthing (The Mongan Method) and am experienced in leading childbirth education and hypnosis for birthing classes and incorporate this into my pre natal yoga sessions. In addition to this, I have undertaken training with Pam England (author of 'Birthing from Within') on leading Birth Art sessions as a pre and post natal aid for mothers in preparing for and in reconciling any issues they may have surrounding birth.

I am a FEDANT approved Antenatal Educator and Birth Practitioner (Federation of Antenatal Educators) meaning that I have been verfified as suitably qualified and consistently met required standards in the pre and post natal field for approved teaching practices. My registration number is 12087.

I strongly believe in a woman's choice and ability to birth naturally and the invaluable use of the breath during childbirth and teach this in all of my classes. I also believe in the benefits of yoga and hypnosis in aiding fertility issues and in Holistic Fertility Therapy which I am currently studying.

Post Natal, Infant and Children's Yoga Qualifications

I am a certified Baby Massage Instructor having gained certification through study with Teresa Kirkpatrick Ramsey, who is on the Board of Directors for the International Association of Infant Massage (IAIM.) I am currently also working alongside the highly acclaimed baby massage and yoga practice, Blossom & Berry to introduce some new massage and movement classes for older babies and toddlers called Stretch Learn & PlayTM and also tailored baby massage and aromatherapy sessions to cure ailments such as colic and teething using the Soothe Settle and SleepTM Programme.

I have also completed Children's Yoga Training (including Mum and Baby Yoga) with the British School of Yoga (BSYA.) I have completed the wonderful ethical Children's Yoga teacher training with Angel Bear YogaTM founder Christi Eley. I also have full Disclosure Scotland which means I have been vetted and authorized to work with children :) I have also gained certification in Exercise and Nutrition from James Watt College and am a qualified Emergency First Aider. 

If you would like to discuss any aspect of yoga or birthing further,
please feel free to call me on 0781 786 4336 or email cheryl@yogabellies.co.uk