"Pregnancy is a miraculous process and should be a time when a woman makes every effort to tune in her body and baby with the support of her surrounding." - Dr. Christine Northrup, 1998

Having children and expanding the family is a big and exciting step in life. The Vitality Centre offers support for women throughout pregnancy and the early years, to ensure that your body is functioning at is optimum to nourish a growing baby. The Vitality Centre is unique as all the practitioners and yoga/ pilates instructors work closely together so that you have a full team supporting you, your partner and your baby throughout.

Pregnant? Thinking about having/expanding your family? Do you need some help and support?

Vitality Centre invites you to an informal information session dedicated to mothers and children on the first Thursday of every month from 12.30pm - 2.30pm. Come and meet the team, explore and experience the many services that are available to you:

Independent Midwives - Baby Massage - Doula - Cranial Osteopath - Breastfeeding Specialist - Maternity Nurse - Homeopath - Hypnobirthing - Pre/Post Natal Yoga and Pilates - Post Natal Discussion Classes - Fitness Classes - Sleep Clinic and more........

Sometimes it can be a little more difficult than you anticipate to conceive, although causes vary they are generally related to body-system imbalances stemming from nutritional deficiencies or lifestyle factors such as stress or pre-existing health issues. These factors can easily be helped by some of the following treatments:

NATUROPATHY looks at diet and lifestyle factors and how they impact upon general health and wellbeing. Via a thorough case history, iridology, tongue and pulse diagnosis, as well as any necessary biomedical testing, a holistic picture of your health status can be formed, and appropriate treatment given. Naturopaths work from the premise that your body needs certain basics to function properly: the correct nutrients, adequate rest and relaxation, appropriate exercises, fresh air, clean water and sunlight.

Healthy children are more likely to grow up to become healthy adults, so laying down a good holistic foundation in infancy can have life long health benefits.

REFLEXOLOGY is a wonderful way to balance the hormonal system, open energy channels, and can be used to directly stimulate the reproductive system. The aim is to balance the whole body organs and provide some much-needed stress relief.

The combination of reflexology with naturopathy is truly holistic, with both therapies aiming to balance your body in complimentary ways:

ACUPUNCTURE can help boost vitality to facilitate conception. Then during the initial stages of pregnancy helps to diminish sickness, it keeps the person’s energy balanced helping the body to cope with its demanding changing during pregnancy. For mothers having treatment throughout pregnancy at the Vitality Centre we also offer a session with the mother and her birth partner on acupressure. The partner will learn how to find and use acupressure points to aid with the labour, controlling pain, and immediate post labour recovery.

VITALITY CHECK is a total body screening process using diagnostic kinesiology to identify sensitivities, including foods, bacteria, virus, parasites, vitamin and mineral levels. The next stage is to see a naturopath and receive remedies which are tailor-made especially for you to help boost your total body function.

It is important to make the most of this time, to relax and enjoy and keep your self in good energy so that once you have had your baby the transition is easy!

AROMATHERAPY / PREGNANCY MASSAGE: Treat yourself to a relaxing treatment with oils blended especially for you to enhance lymphatic circulation and reduce muscle tension. This is a totally unique style of massage specifically for pregnant ladies. Massage during your pregnancy is a perfect way to keep you feeling rejuvenated and help both you and your baby relax. It helps to ease away unpleasant conditions such as dizziness, fluid retention, general fatigue, insomnia, headaches and back stain. For those mothers who are yearning to be able to lie on their fronts, visit the Vitality Centre where our new couch, designed especially for pregnant women, has a bump-shaped dip enabling you to experience a heightened level of comfort!

"Pre-natal massages were fantastic - really helped throughout my pregnancy - just wonderful to be able to lay on my front with my bump". N.T Wimbledon

HOMEOPATHY: Based on the principle of ’like cures like’ homeopathy works through the mental, physical, and emotional symptoms, which are unique to each person. it is safe during pregnancy and for babies/children. The homeopath offers special one hour sessions which will give you and your partner the ability to learn about homeopathy and labour (£25) - this is a really useful session to help with pain relief and for general support throughout labour and delivery. It can be used whilst on orthodox medication and is great to treat common ailments such as colds, glue ear as well as to help with periods of change such as starting school.

CRANIAL OSTEOPATHY: A delicate but powerful treatment to rebalance the body and encourage a healthy development. It is highly recommended if the baby has experienced a traumatic birth or is experiencing sinus congestion, glue ear, colic or insomnia amongst others.

REIKI: The wonderful healing energy of reiki can soothe babies if they are crying, reduce the uncomfortable symptoms of colic or the inflammation of teething. Reiki can relieve the unpleasant symptoms of morning sickness and ease lower back pain. For pregnant women a weekly treatment that concentrates on the abdomen, the heart, the solar plexus and the temples can aid the adjustment for the mother-to-be for all the physical changes. Children usually enjoy reiki and respond quickly, can help with headaches, stomach aches and colds.

OSTEOPATHY: A gentle powerful treatment, which keeps you mobile, reduces any pain and discomfort you might experience due to posture changes during pregnancy. This treatment can be combined with cranial work. The osteopaths are specially trained to fully support a mum as well as give exercises to maintain position of the baby and facilitate child birth.

BIRTH PREPARATION WORKSHOPS: Workshops held at weekends for pregnant women and their birth partners which cover the physiology of labour, the stages of labour and how your birth companion can support you through the journey of labour and birth emotionally and physically using different positions, breathing and the birth ball.  We also explore the options for pain relief with emphasis on the complementary therapies. Annabel Hargrave is also a doula with 10 years experience of working with women in the ante and post natal period. The workshop cost £85 per couple. Please call Annabel directly on 0208 287 5411 for more information and to book. 

GENTLE YOGA: A gentle class concentrating on the foundation of postures, breath and relaxation. This class is suitable beginners as well as for pre/post-natal mums. Mondays at 6.30pm-7.30pm, Wednesday 10 am - 11.15 am, no need to book.

ACTIVE BIRTH - PRE NATAL YOGA: A course specifically designed for pregnancy to prepare the body and mind of mothers to be. Active Birth Yoga consists of gentle yoga-based exercises using breathing, relaxation techniques, and positions to prepare for labour and birth. It includes a discussion on birthing issues, and provides an opportunity to meet other pregnant women. Suitable from the 16th week of pregnancy. 6 week course, booking required, call Annabel on 0208 287 5411.

PREGNANCY PILATES: A course specifically designed to help you build the core strength you need during pregnancy and beyond, enabling you to feel more comfortable when your baby is born. 6 week course, £75, call reception to book. Next courses 9th January, February 27th 2008

HYPNOBIRTHING: A really enjoyable and relaxing course during which mums-to-be and their husbands/partners get taught how to have an enjoyable, easier and natural birth of their baby using a range of techniques such as progressive relaxation, birthing affirmations, prenatal bonding, visualisations etc. Contact Helianthe on 0845 1080419 for more information and to book.

JAN 19 & 26th, FEB 23, MARCH 15 & 29th, APRIL 19 & 26, MAY 17 & 31, JUNE 21 & 28

It is easy to forget to look after your self during this time as the focus is on the baby. At the Vitality Centre the practitioners welcome you and your baby to any of the treatments, including beauty. We understand that it can be difficult to find the time or someone to look after your baby. The Vitality Centre is full pram access to each floor and plenty of street parking.

POST NATAL YOGA CLASSES FOR MOTHER AND BABY: A 90 minute session with an introduction to massage with your baby and gentle postnatal yoga for the mother. The classes take place in one of our lovely studios which is kept at a temperature to suit your babys needs during the introduction to massage. Bean bags are provided to make your baby comfortable while we then do some postnatal yoga. There is also time for refreshments and discussion. 4 week course, call Annabel on 0208 287 5411 for more information and to book.

PILATES FOR NEW MUMS: A class designed for new mums to get back into shape, focusing on abdominal and pelvic exercises to improve core body strength and posture. Babies welcome to come along. Mondays and Wednesdays at 12.00pm-1.00pm. £10 per class, no need to book.

BABY MASSAGE COURSE: Clinical research has shown that positive, loving nurturing touch has an important impact on a baby’s development. Baby massage is something that every parent can learn providing benefits to both the baby and parent. The course is suitable for babies from 6 weeks. 4 week course, £50, Thursdays at 1.30pm-2.30pm, call reception to book.

"I felt much more confident about handling my baby and I enjoyed the time".

YOGABUGS: A fun class for 3 - 7 year olds to encourage active self-expression through a combination of yoga postures, story telling, games, music and relaxation methods. The impact of the classes is to encourage the development of strong and healthy bodies and to build up confidence and self-esteem. Mondays at 4.00pm-4.45pm, £5 per class, no need to book.

SING AND SIGN: Come along with your baby to learn some of the main Makaton baby Signs and practise them in songs, games and activities. It is fun and an excellent additional skill to acquire. Signing with your child has been shown to encourage the development of communication, language skills, help you understand your baby’s needs and enhance communication with children who might have difficulties. Thursdays at 10.30 - 11.15 am, £5 per class, no need to book.

HOMEOPATHY IN THE NURSERY: Homeopathy is a safe, non-toxic system of medicine which works by stimulating our innate healing ability. This workshop explores the basic remedies to have on hand for using with babies adnd children for simple ailments and first aid. It provides a basic introduction to Homeopathy, an introduction to the basic homepathic kit from Helios, how to use and store the remedies, a file of remedy information, when to seek medical or professional homeopathic help. Book at reception.

BABY RESCUSITATION WORKSHOP: A monthly workshop which teaches you what to do if your baby were to stop brething or were choking - an absolute must for any parent or anyone looking after children. The session is run by Katherine Lowther, a registered pediatric nurse and health visitor with over 10 years experience of caring for sick children at Great Ormond Street Hospital and in Chelsea & Westminster’s Accident and Emergency department. Call reception to book. Cost £40.

JAN 9th, FEB 15th

CHILDHOOD ILLNESSES & ACCIDENTS WORKSHOP: a monthly workshop which covers First Aid and the initial steps to follow in a range of emergency situations such as if a child becomes unwell suddenly, gets injured, injects a poisonous substance, has a fit, sustains a head injury. The session is run by Katherine Lowther, a registered pediatric nurse and health visitor with over 10 years experience of caring for sick children at Great Ormond Street Hospital and in Chelsea & Westminster’s Accident and Emergency department. Call reception to book. Cost £40.

JAN 9th, FEB 15th

VACCINATION INFORMATION: You can seek information from our homeopath and naturopath.

For more information please Contact us