February 2025 Student of the Month: Karen & Kyle

About Karen and Kyle

My name is Karen and am turning 36 in May. I'm an occupational therapist taking a year's leave from my profession to care for my sweet little daughter, Sora. I was born in Hong Kong, grew up in Canada and came to the US about 9 years ago to do travel therapy in Nevada and Texas. I had many adventures and met lots of good people along the way. One of them was Kyle, who became my caring husband of almost 3 years. 

When did you start taking classes with PYLV?

I started taking PYLV 2 weeks after I had Sora. I was looking up classes that the different hospitals offered and saw that Baby and Me Yoga was one of them! I have practiced yoga for many years and loved all the benefits it provides me. I thought it was a great idea to share that love of yoga with my baby. After attending the first class of Baby and Me Yoga, I shared how the experience went with my husband who also enjoys yoga. Kyle has regularly attended classes with Sora and me after that. 

What have you learned since taking classes with PYLV?

I learned that yoga is such a great form of exercise to help women prepare for birth and help with recovery postpartum. It also brings people together in supportive ways and is fun. 

What is your favorite yoga pose?

My favorite yoga poses are the garland pose and child's pose. My husband's favorite pose is the tree pose.

How has your practice impact your parenting?

My yoga practice impacted my parenting by helping me maintain/improve my mental, physical, and spiritual health. It also helps us show Sora the importance of exercise at a very young age.

What would you tell a new parent considering taking prenatal or baby & me yoga classes? 

Definitely give the classes a try! You might feel anxious about whether the movements could cause injury, lead to pain, or if you'll have enough energy to participate. But the instructors are fantastic—they teach safe, appropriate yoga moves and offer alternatives for all levels and conditions.

Practicing yoga throughout my pregnancy and postpartum helped me experience fewer aches and pains and recover more quickly after birth. It has also been a wonderful way to bond with my husband and baby. In Baby and Me Yoga, we get to see adorable babies at different developmental stages. We've noticed that Sora is more observant and moves better at an earlier age compared to some babies who haven’t attended these classes. For my husband and me, it's exciting to watch older babies in class and anticipate how Sora will continue to grow and develop.

So give the classes a try to see some of the benefits for yourself and your family!