Meet Mahogany Harrington, Pittsburgh Prenatal Yoga Instructor
We want to introduce you to Mahogany Harrington (she/her), a prenatal yoga instructor and doula in Pittsburgh.
Many of our clients are interested in prenatal yoga but feel intimidated to start, especially if they didn’t practice yoga much before pregnancy.
As a doula on top of being a yoga instructor, Mahogany brings an even deeper connection to prenatal yoga. She does a beautiful job of sharing how her prenatal yoga classes address the physical aspects of movement, as well as education and emotional support during and after pregnancy.
We hope you enjoy getting to know Mahogany!
Tell us a bit about yourself, your yoga journey, and how Yoga with Mahogany came to be.
Yoga with Mahogany basically started with me being a (know-it-all) big sister who defaulted into being a nurturer as a child, as so many of us do. I have always sought out knowledge in an attempt to understand people more, and I find the human body FASCINATING.
My general love of yoga started in college when I took a yoga course as a general elective. It has grown from “Hey look at me!! Look at what I can do!” to being able to understand that the physical practice of yoga (asana) is simply one of many benefits yoga can offer.
How can yoga help parents throughout the journey of fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum?
Perinatal yoga—prenatal, postpartum, and everything in between—creates a space where new and expecting parents can come and know that everyone around them has been, or is currently in the same situation and wants the best possible outcome for bringing a new baby into the world.
Not only does yoga help with stress and some of the less-than-ideal symptoms of pregnancy, it’s also a great place to build community. It’s room for you to show up as you are and share a story, laugh, cry, complain, and maybe even learn something new about your pelvic floor.
In most prenatal yoga classes, you can expect to find a mixture of breathing exercise, yoga poses, and resources on navigating your journey as a new parent. Your yoga instructor will likely also have a little black book of local birthworkers, lactation consultants, and even mental health professionals they can recommend to you.
Is pregnancy a good time to start taking yoga classes if someone has never tried yoga before?
YES! I think it’s one of the best times to start. You won’t have any preconceived notions about what you “should” be able to do, or what you “can’t” do due to your changing body. Even if your practice is as simple as learning to sit and be in stillness with your thoughts (which is NOT simple at all), you are still showing up for yourself and doing yoga.
Pregnancy is full of changes, and learning to navigate them in real time is a valuable lesson.
What level of “fitness” is required to participate in prenatal yoga?
Without this turning into an entire history lesson on the foundations of yoga, I will say that any level is the required level.
Most of what we think of as “yoga” (black leggings, thin bodies, and folding yourself into a pretzel) is not all that yoga entails. If you have the capacity to breathe, you can do yoga. As I stated above, some of the real “work” in yoga is learning to just ~be~.
When do you generally recommend rejoining yoga classes after giving birth?
I feel like I should lead with “always check with your provider.” Once your birth team gives you the green light for movement, I would actually recommend attending a few more prenatal yoga classes before jumping into a general population yoga class.
I don’t think society talks about the fourth trimester as much as we should, and the pressure to “get back to it!” is at an all-time high. Prenatal yoga classes are created for all stages of pregnancy, and they might help you adjust into your new body with a little more ease.
Are there any common misconceptions about prenatal yoga that you want to clear up?
There is a misconception that prenatal movement is a watered down variation of any other yoga class you might happen to stumble into, and that is not quite the case.
Prenatal yoga is designed specifically for prenatal and postpartum bodies. My classes focus on not only strengthening the pelvic floor, but relaxing it as well. A kegel is not going to help when you’re in labor, but relaxing your muscles certainly will!
Prenatal yoga is about opening; preparing for labor, softening, and balancing—all while creating space for the unknown.
Do you have any favorite poses to teach your prenatal yoga clients? What do you love about them?
I really love toe sits! Feet and ankles do so much of the heavy lifting during pregnancy, and they are often ignored in fitness/movement spaces so I try to show them love as often as I can. I also like to use either a tennis ball or a set of pink bouncy balls to allow for firm, yet supportive fascia rolling on heels and arches.
What can a new student expect in their first class with you?
You can expect a fun playlist, lots of chatting, modifications to meet you where you are, and A LOT of props.
I am very aware that I don’t look (or act) like the stereotypical Westernized archetype of a yoga instructor, and I really have come to take pride in that. I want people of all colors, ages, body types, and abilities to be able to come to a class of mine and leave with something more than “that was fun.”
New students can expect to be seen, spoken to, and listened to. They can also expect to be challenged if they’d like to be, but know that they can take a rest, say “no,” or ask a question if they need to.
What do you feel are your particular strengths as a yoga teacher?
I like to think that I am inclusive in a way that doesn’t seem inauthentic. I don’t typically prepare “notes” when I go into a class, and I think that has really helped me. I chat with the students and ask them how their day is, what they’re feeling, and I proceed from there. It’s not my practice. While this has been a challenge to my ego, I do believe it’s helped me become a better instructor.
What is your favorite part of working with parents during the childbearing year?
The unspoken/unmentioned shift into ease is my favorite thing in the entire world!
Typically, I will meet a new parent and they are full of anxiety—rightfully so!—with nowhere to really channel it. I love being able to answer questions, offer suggestions, and let them know that they’re not alone. People have been giving birth forever!
What’s the best way for people to learn more about your services and get in touch?
My website Yoga with Mahogany has more information, including schedules for my classes in Lawrenceville and the North Hills.
