Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, Local Instructor Partner on Unique I.M. Yoga Program
Chicago (October 8, 2009) — Believing that exercise is best started young, Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center has teamed with local instructor Morgan McDonald to expose yoga to the young—the really young—with unique prenatal and mom and baby classes.
The classes are part of the I.M. Yoga program, offered since April at Infuse Yoga Spa, 2536 N. Halsted St., allow women to further embrace motherhood and the new life in their care, said McDonald. The program supports the health and well-being of all the women in the community-whether patients at the hospital or not-and includes three distinct courses: prenatal, mother and baby and women's classes.
One of the most popular is the prenatal class, offered Wednesdays from 6 to 7:15 p.m., offers a safe, welcoming environment for all expectant mothers, no matter how far along they are in their pregnancies. According to studies, prenatal yoga has a demonstrably positive effect on labor, birth weight and the health of both mother and child, with fewer complications reported at birth.
"I've been taking the prenatal yoga class since I was four and a half months pregnant," said Marnie Stein. "I'm nearing the end of my pregnancy, and I have to say, I feel great! My energy level has been high and I look forward to each class."
Stein said the classes are challenging, in a good way. "Just what every new mom-to-be really needs to prepare us for what's to come!"
Following the birth, McDonald said the mom and baby class, offered Thursdays at noon, is an excellent way for women to regain their strength, flexibility and peace of mind as they transition into motherhood. Mom and baby attend the sessions together, providing another very special bonding experience for parent and child.
In addition, the women's health class on Mondays from 6 to 7:15 p.m. that is a "nourishing experience for women of all ages and experiences," McDonald said. The classes are kept small and tailored specifically to the participants' various fitness levels and yoga experience, with postures aimed at hormonal health and balance throughout life.
All three series in the I.M. Yoga program require prior registration and are followed by a gourmet tea service at the studio. To register for a session, please call (800) 3-ADVOCATE. For more information about the classes themselves, please contact Morgan McDonald directly at 773 330 9678.
Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center is a 408-bed hospital in Chicago with a Level I trauma center and a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, the highest designations awarded by the state of Illinois. It offers comprehensive inpatient services, including medical, surgical, obstetrics and pediatric care, as well as a full breadth of outpatient services. A recipient of numerous awards for quality and clinical excellence, Illinois Masonic was ranked one of 2006's top 50 hospitals in the nation for Heart and Heart Surgery by U.S. News & World Report. In 2008, the hospital achieved Magnet designation for excellence and quality in nursing services by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Magnet Recognition Program. Illinois Masonic is part of Advocate Health Care, a 2009 Thompson Reuters Top 10 U.S. health care system for quality and clinical performance and the largest provider of health care services in Illinois. For more information on Illinois Masonic, visit www.advocatehealth.com/masonic.
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