My Profile

Name

Jen Smith (Edinburgh: Marchmont, Morningside, Bruntsfield, Portobello)

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Contact Number

07990596074

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Teaching location (name of area or post code)

EH10 4DJ, Marchmont, Morningside, Bruntsfield, Portobello

Type of YogaBellies class:

YogaBellies for Pregnancy, YogaBellies for Mum & Baby

About Me

Hi! My name is Jen and I’m a mum to two wonderful little girls, Martha and Gwendolyn, and a little boy, Lorcan. I am married to my favourite grump, Neil, who I met when we were both students in this amazing city – it’s my life’s mission to get him onto a yoga mat! Apart from yoga, my interests include drinking tea, cooking and bad mum dancing. I am thrilled to be able to bring my classes to Marchmont, Bruntsfield & Portobello in Edinburgh. I also volunteer with the Juno Perinatal Mental Health charity.

I’m currently on maternity leave until Spring 2020.

Why I became a YogaBellies Teacher...

I’ve done yoga off and on for years – a class here and there at the gym, a course every now and again. However I saw it as a purely physical exercise: nice to get a bit of a stretch, but nothing more than that. Everything changed when I was pregnant for the first time…my yoga class gave me space to bond with my bump, think about becoming a mum, and a way to face labour in a more calm and focused way. I also met the women who are now some of my closest friends – they’re still saved in my phone as Yoga Kate, Yoga Jo and Yoga Rach!

While I had a newfound love of yoga, it wasn’t until my second pregnancy that I realised it was important enough to me that I wanted to share it with others by becoming a teacher. It’s not just a pregnancy thing – I love how yoga makes me feel, how relaxed I am when I’ve finished a class, and how clear-headed it helps me to be.

I am passionate about helping other women find time and space to look after themselves, whether that’s in preparation for their upcoming labour, finding time to reconnect with their body post-natally, creating space to bond with their baby on the mat (as far as wriggly ones will allow!), or just taking an hour for themselves at a Luna or CorePlay class – hatha yoga has so much to offer women at all stages of life. Yoga is for everyone – it’s not about the beautiful photos you see on Instagram and it’s not just for young athletic types – yes, the physical benefits are great but for me it’s just as much about the mental benefits and how it makes me feel on and off the mat.

I love the format of the YogaBellies classes and that – no matter which class you come to – you’ll always get the chance for a proper yoga workout, in addition to lots of support and ideas to take home with you. I spend a bit of time at each class on breathing exercises (pranayama) and relaxation techniques (yoga nidra) – I believe everyone can benefit from them, as they’re a great way to help us deal with our day to day stresses and anxieties.

Other qualifications

MA (Hons) Modern European Languages and European Union Studies

Class details

I’m currently on maternity leave until Spring 2020.

What people have said about my YogaBellies classes...

Yogabellies for Pregnancy

“I have been attending Jen’s Pregnancy Yogabellies class for a 8 weeks now and would really recommend. It’s a great balance of strengthening, stretching, breathing techniques and bonding with baby bump. I always feel like I’ve had a work out and usually drift off to sleep during the final relaxation section 🙂 Jen is so lovely and it’s a fab way to meet other mummies to be. As a second time mum it feels like such a treat to have this time for me and my new baby. A class for newbies to yoga as well as more experienced ladies.” Fiona, Leith.

Yogabellies for Mum & Baby

“I have been attending Jen’s Mum and Baby yoga class and my son and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Jen makes sure that everyone feels welcome and the atmosphere is friendly and non-intimidating. Jen is also fantastic at reading the mood in the room (ie how the babies are feeling!!!) and tailors the class accordingly. Don’t be fooled into thinking it’s an easy option though- Jen keeps a close eye and will not let your form slip. My baby is mobile now (he crawled for the first time during class!) so we won’t be returning to this class but if you are looking for a class which is a nice mix of exercise, relaxation and a giggle, go check it out!” Dawn, Marchmont.