Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that when I was pregnant with my son, working full-time as a manager in the insurance industry, my life would take such a dramatic and meaningful turn. At the time, my world revolved around spreadsheets, targets, and team meetings. I had a clear career path in front of me, or so I thought. Fast-forward ten years, and not only have I left that world behind, but I now own and run a successful aquanatal business..something I could never have pictured back then, yet something that feels so completely and naturally “me.”
The turning point came during my maternity leave. Like many new mothers, I was attempting to balance the excitement of having a newborn with the uncertainty of what life would look like going forward. Then, unexpectedly, I was made redundant. Although at first it was a shock, that moment became a blessing in disguise. Losing my position forced me to step away from the corporate routine I had outgrown and opened the door for me to explore something entirely new. I took the leap into teaching swimming. A space that felt refreshing, purposeful, and far more aligned with my values than I ever anticipated.
In 2019, I decided to take the plunge and completed my first aquanatal qualification. I was eager and enthusiastic, but something wasn’t quite right. The style of the classes I had been trained to deliver didn’t feel authentic to me. I taught them, yes, but I didn’t feel fully grounded or confident. I knew there was more to this practice than what I had been taught – more depth, more gentleness, more connection. It wasn’t until I discovered and signed up to the Birthlight aquanatal yoga course in early 2025 that everything changed. From the very first session, I felt as though I had come home. The movements, the breathing, the philosophy, and the nurturing energy of the approach spoke to me on a level I hadn’t expected. I finally felt the confidence I had been searching for, not just as an instructor but within myself.
Unexpectedly, the practices benefitted my own mental health as much as they helped my mums-to-be. I’m no stranger to anxiety and depression and teaching became not just a job, but a form of grounding. A space where I could be present, calm, and fully myself. How lucky am I to have a career that not only empowers others but also gives me my own “me time” in the process?
Today, you’ll find me teaching up to 30 expectant mothers each week between my venues in Maldon and Rayleigh, Essex. Every session is filled with warmth, support, and a sense of community. My classes are designed to be a safe, judgement-free haven where these incredible women can let go of the day’s stresses and reconnect with both their bodies and their babies. It’s a space where they can build strength and flexibility, soothe their minds, and bond with the tiny lives growing within them, all while feeling held and supported by the water and by one another.
One of the most beautiful parts of this journey is watching these mums return after their babies are born. I first see them cradling their bumps during aquanatal yoga, and before long, they’re back in the pool for parent and child classes, now cradling their little ones in their arms. Witnessing that transition, from pregnancy to parenthood is genuinely heart-warming. It reminds me every time of how precious, powerful, and transformative this chapter of life is.
Since introducing aquanatal yoga into my teaching, I’ve supported an incredible variety of women, many of whom have been experiencing physical or emotional discomfort during pregnancy. Being able to help ease these challenges has become one of my biggest passions. For anxious mums-to-be, we use gentle breathwork and mindful stretches to calm both the mind and the nervous system. For those with backache, we focus on spinal alignment, core engagement, and movements that also bring elasticity to the pelvic floor. For women struggling with pelvic girdle pain, we adapt and personalise practices to reduce strain and create more ease. I always do my upmost to tailor my classes to everyone’s needs.
If I had to choose a favourite part of the class, I would honestly say I love it all, but the relaxation at the end holds a special kind of magic and I think most of my ladies would agree! During my own Birthlight training, my tutor, Katy, invited me to experience a floating relaxation.. resting on my back, supported by noodles, allowing my ears to dip just beneath the surface. I’ll admit, I was hesitant at first – there’s something strangely vulnerable about submerging your ears! But once I allowed myself to relax, the sensation was out of this world. The muffled sounds, the gentle support of the water, the weightlessness… it was pure bliss. Now, I always recommend this experience in my own sessions, and recently I had an entire class drifting peacefully around the pool, listening to the quietness of the water around them. Seeing their faces afterwards, calm, and content is priceless – it’s worth getting your hair wet for!
Choosing to complete the Birthlight aquanatal course was genuinely one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Not only has it shaped my business, but it has also allowed me to connect with so many incredible women.. first-time mums, mums of many, IVF mums, twin mums, midwives, doctors, physiotherapists to name a few, some who have stayed with me from as early as 12 weeks right up until their due dates. Their feedback has been heart-warming, encouraging, and at times even emotional. Hearing how the classes have helped them physically, mentally, or both is the greatest reward I could ask for. Just recently one review read, ‘I can safely and happily say that every Wednesday coming to class helped with that bonding time and I felt nothing but hope and escapism for those moments in the water.’
At the end of the day, if I know that even one mum-to-be leaves my class feeling lighter, stronger, calmer, or more connected to herself and her baby, then I know I’ve done my job. And to think that all of this grew from redundancy, uncertainty, and a leap into the unknown – it just goes to show how beautifully life can unfold when we’re willing to embrace change.
Find information about Hayley’s Aquanatal Yoga classes in Rayleigh Essex SS6 9BZ and Maldon CM9 6JN https://www.lotus-aqua.co.uk
Find her on Facebook and Instagram @lotusaquaclasses
Find out more about Aquanatal Yoga training
Read more about How you can become an Aquanatal Yoga teacher….