Yoga for New (and not so new) Moms

Your post-baby being deserves special attention that can uniquely be delivered through yoga, whether or not you practiced yoga while you were pregnant.

Every woman has a different prenatal, birth and post-natal experience, and working privately or in small groups allows a practice that focuses on your unique needs during this beautiful and challenging time. Your well-being is extremely important whether you are a new—or not-so-new—mom!  Six weeks after a vaginal birth or eight weeks after a c-section is a great time to begin a post-natal yoga practice (with the permission of your OB or midwife).

Private Post-Natal Yoga will help you:

•    Build core and spinal strength
•    Support good posture
•    Increase your endurance, strength and physical balance
•    Assist digestion and elimination
•    Stabilize hormones
•    Relieve anxiety and stress
•    Relax and renew your mind and spirit
•    Expand your intuition and as a woman and mother
•    Reconnect you with your Self

I am a strong believer in the Fourth Trimester for mamas and babies. We need to honor this transitional period and support Nature’s healing process. There is a natural, biological course to things going back to “normal,” and I frankly don’t like that definition at all. What is “normal”? How can you be the same after you have a kid?

The cultural pressure to shed weight and get “back into shape” as quickly as possible is unhealthy—physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. It also can be physically injurious, as residual pregnancy hormones increase your risk of strained muscles and tendons. You are in a transition phase, to a new place, and that’s really cool. Let’s support that.

My goal is to help moms deal with all the demands of motherhood, address aches and pains, and build strength and a store of energy needed to get through their days. I promote nervous system down-regulation for stress-relief and better sleep. Most importantly, I help mamas maintain a sense of themselves. I know how hard that can be.

Of course our practices take into consideration any pre-existing injuries or special conditions.

I carried twins to term, and I incorporated my babies into my post-natal movements. I did some yoga at home, walked the hills around our house with babies snuggled to my chest in a wrap, and I devised mini core routines for when I was gently bouncing with a child on an exercise ball. One of the biggest things I did for my physical well-being was to ensure I was set up with good posture while nursing. Motherhood challenges your posture. Mothering an infant is highly physical, and awareness of posture is important throughout your day.

Aspects of my Fourth Trimester were dreamy, especially when I had help. It also was incredibly challenging, especially as my kids got older. I'm glad I had strong tools for survival and self-care. Plus the support of other women, which is not to be underrated. Other moms supported me through tough times.

Community is invaluable as a new mother. I love teaching moms who assemble a small group for a weekly practice while their kids play together with a nanny. It’s always a special experience. If you are interested in privates or small groups, click here.  If you have any questions about yoga and motherhood feel free to email me!