Mum & Baby Yoga Teacher Training in Ireland: Q&A with Melissa Curtis

Mum & Baby Yoga Teacher Training in Ireland (Starting May 2026): Q&A with Melissa Curtis

If you’re a yoga teacher looking to support women beyond pregnancy—or you’ve noticed the growing need for postnatal yoga classes that truly support both mum and baby—this training is designed for you.

We spoke with Melissa Curtis, lead teacher of the Mum & Baby Yoga Teacher Training at The elbowroom, about why this course matters, what makes it different, and what teachers can expect.

Why was the Mum & Baby Yoga Teacher Training created?

Melissa explains that the training was born directly from the success of pregnancy yoga:

“When myself and Lisa Wilkinson, owner of The elbowroom, started the Pregnancy Yoga Training, we realised there was a huge need for a follow-on class.”

Many women build strong connections with their pregnancy yoga teachers and want to continue after birth—but there was a gap.

“There was very little around that also focused on the parent as well as the baby. Most classes only offered baby yoga.”

Melissa saw two key challenges:

• New mums navigating recovery, exhaustion, and identity shifts without enough support
• Yoga teachers wanting to help—but lacking confidence when babies are involved

“We created this training to bridge that gap… to give teachers the knowledge, confidence, and sensitivity to truly serve women during this transformative chapter.”

What difference can a yoga class make for a new mum?

According to Melissa, the impact goes far beyond movement.

“It can be the moment she starts to feel herself again—or meets a new version of herself with compassion.”

A well-held Mum & Baby Yoga class offers:

• Space to breathe and reset
• Safe reconnection with the body after birth
• Emotional support and nervous system regulation
• A sense of community and belonging

“It doesn’t matter how much movement a woman can do—it’s about making it there and feeling supported.”

Even when babies need attention, trained teachers know how to include everyone.

“When a parent walks into a room and feels seen, not judged, that can shift everything.”

How do you train teachers to feel confident with babies in class?

One of the biggest concerns for yoga teachers is managing unpredictability. This training tackles that head-on.

“We take the fear out of it by making it practical and realistic.”

Teachers learn how to:

• Read babies’ cues and respond in real time
• Adapt sequences for both mum and baby
• Handle feeding, crying, sleeping, and changing energy in the room
• Stay grounded when things don’t go to plan

“Confidence comes from understanding, preparation, and permission to not have everything perfectly controlled.”

Melissa emphasises that while these classes are different from standard yoga classes, they’re incredibly rewarding.

What’s a common myth about postnatal yoga?

“That it’s just ‘gentle’ or ‘easy’—or only for the baby.”

Melissa is clear: postnatal yoga is highly skilled work.

It requires understanding of:

• Core and pelvic floor recovery
• Postnatal body changes
• Nervous system support
• Emotional wellbeing

“It’s not about doing less—it’s about doing what’s right for a woman’s body after birth.”

She also encourages all new mums to start here:

“I would recommend every woman take part in a mum and baby yoga class before any other movement class—it’s a whole-body experience, physically and emotionally.”

What do teachers gain from this training?

This training goes beyond teaching poses.

“They stop just teaching poses and start truly teaching people.”

Graduates leave with:

• A deep understanding of postnatal recovery and women’s health
• The ability to adapt classes confidently
• Skills to hold space with sensitivity and awareness
• Confidence working with both mums and babies

A key part of the training includes expert input from Orla Crosse, a chartered physiotherapist, yoga, and Pilates teacher.

“What teachers take from her knowledge is something you won’t get at any other training.”

Who is this training for?

This Mum & Baby Yoga Teacher Training is ideal for:

• Qualified yoga teachers
• Pregnancy yoga teachers wanting to expand their offering
• Pilates or movement teachers interested in postnatal work
• Anyone passionate about supporting women in early motherhood

When does the training start?

The next Mum & Baby Yoga Teacher Training at The elbowroom starts in May 2026.

Spaces are typically limited to ensure a high level of support and hands-on learning.

Why train in Mum & Baby Yoga now?

With more awareness around postnatal recovery and maternal wellbeing, demand for qualified Mum & Baby Yoga teachers in Ireland is growing rapidly.

This training allows you to:

• Support women in a meaningful, life-changing way
• Build a specialised skill set
• Create community-based classes that people return to week after week

As Melissa puts it:

“This work is about holding women through one of the most transformative times in their lives.”

FAQs: Mum & Baby Yoga Teacher Training

Do I need to have experience with babies?

No—this training teaches you everything you need to know, including how to confidently work with babies in class.

Is postnatal yoga safe for all mums?

When taught correctly, yes. This training ensures you understand contraindications, recovery timelines, and safe adaptations.

Can I teach immediately after the training?

Yes. You’ll leave with practical tools, sequencing skills, and real-world confidence to start teaching straight away.