In short: At Gîte du Cruet, in Saint-Eustache near Annecy, Sophie offers prenatal yoga sessions inspired by the de Gasquet method, which combines posture and breathing to protect the back and pelvic floor. A weekend for parents-to-be can welcome up to 4 couples, one per bedroom. The gîte is at 752 m, in a quiet spot, 10 minutes from the lake.
The de Gasquet method in brief
The de Gasquet method was created by Dr Bernadette de Gasquet, a physician and yoga teacher. Also known as APOR (a posture-and-breathing approach), it "combines posture and breathing for a healthy back and pelvic floor protection", according to the official method website. It is widely taught to perinatal professionals, especially midwives and physiotherapists.
In practice, you learn to position your pelvis, to breathe out from the bottom up without pushing, to lengthen your spine, and to work the deep abdominal muscles rather than straining. During pregnancy, these movements ease back pain and prepare the body for childbirth; afterwards, they support recovery.
Prenatal yoga with Sophie
Sophie, a certified yoga teacher (Hatha and Vinyasa), is trained in the de Gasquet method. Her prenatal sessions are gentle and adapted to each trimester: breathing, postures that relieve the back and pelvis, relaxation. Partners can join some sessions to learn supporting positions and gestures.
Sessions can be booked for one person, a couple or a small group during a stay at the gîte.
A weekend for parents-to-be
The gîte has 4 double bedrooms: it can welcome up to 4 couples for a weekend among parents-to-be, or a family treating themselves to a break before the birth. Here is a sample outline, to be designed with you:
- Friday — arrival, breathing and relaxation session, quiet dinner.
- Saturday — morning prenatal yoga, gentle walk in the forest or by the lake, nap, postures and support workshop for partners.
- Sunday — final session, brunch, leave at your own pace.
A setting designed for rest
- Quiet bedrooms with blackout curtains and high-quality bedding
- Underfloor heating and large open spaces to practise
- The lake 10 minutes away for a swim or a flat walk along the greenway
- Fresh produce from the cheese dairy opposite and nearby markets
- Cleaning, bed linen and towels included: nothing to organise
Precautions
Prenatal yoga does not replace medical follow-up. Before starting any physical activity during pregnancy, ask your doctor or midwife, especially if there are complications. The French National Authority for Health (HAS) notably recommends avoiding holding your breath during effort and lying flat on your back from the 24th week, and stopping in case of pain, contractions, bleeding or dizziness (HAS fact sheet, in French).
As for altitude, the HAS states that moderate activity poses no particular problem up to 1,800–2,500 m: the gîte is at 752 m and the Semnoz plateau at around 1,700 m.
Booking
Write to us with your dates, the number of people and how far along the pregnancy is: Sophie will suggest a suitable programme. Use the contact form (subject "Yoga session" or "Wellness / yoga retreat").
