Monthly Archives: April 2012

Circumcision Conversation… Resources

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Circumcision… the topic comes up a lot in class, is one of the many decisions expecting parents need to make ahead of time, and many times the decision is based on Daddy, or it is a religious decision.  There is a lot of information available – please, educate yourself and your partner- then make an informed decision.  Here are two websites for learning different points of view.

The Whole Network- http://www.thewholenetwork.org/

Nocirc- http://nocirc.org/

If you do decide to do the procedure, here is a website with local Mohels.  We have heard Adashek (first listed on this link) is highly recommended, and you don’t have to be Jewish to hire him.

http://www.jewishtimes.com/index.php/jewishtimes/resource_guide_list/jt/mohels/

As always, please post any recommendations or comments you have here!  We can learn a lot from each other outside of class as well.  Thanks!

Poses to relieve lower back pain

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Good Evening Mamas!

It was wonderful to share last nights practice with those of you who were able to attend…we had a yoga filled class!

As promised here are the six poses we practiced to relieve lower back pain:

1. Fists Forward Fold

  • feet hip distance apart
  • bend knees slightly
  • folding in the hip crease release your torso and allow belly to touch thighs
  • make two fists and place in opposite elbow crease (fists and elbows together are a central nervous system trigger that causes back muscles to open)
  • take 10 breathes
  • when finished slowly unfold

2. Downward Facing Dog (only in 1st-2nd trimester, do not practice this pose in your 3rd trimester)

  • feet hip distance apart and and hands shoulder distance apart
  • tuck the toes under
  • lift the sitting bones up into the air and press back into the heels
  • press into the earth with your hands and fingers
  • 10 breathes
  • when finished drop your knees and press back into child’s pose if you wish

3. Pigeon

  • from all 4s bring the right knee behind the right wrist
  • foot either touching the left hip crease or slightly forward
  • stretch the left leg out long behind you, knee and top of the foot touching the floor
  • leading with the heart fold forward from the hip crease
  • 10 breaths
  • when finished push yourself up with your hands and go back to all 4s; do the other side

4. Back Traction Pose

  • lay on your back with knees bent, feet under knees
  • lift hips and place block in the center of hips, not on low back
  • use the skinny side of the block in the same direction as the spine
  • gently walk the feet wide and raise knees over hips
  • 10 breaths
  • when finished lower feet to the earth, lift hips to remove the block and lower to the earth inch by inch
  • roll to your side and slowly lift up to sitting

5. Childs Pose

  • come on all 4s
  • make your knees wide
  • let the big toes touch
  • push the sitting bones back to heels
  • stretch arms out in front palms down
  • place forehead to the ground, use a block if your forehead does not touch the ground

6. Wall Plank

  • Stand in front of the wall at arms length
  • reach forward and plant palms on the wall fingers wide with finger pointed to the sky
  • allow forearms to rest on the wall and sway
  • rest here for 10 breaths
  • walk feet back and press hands into the wall
  • push back with the sitting bones allowing the head to drop
  • 10 breath

 

Namaste!

~Kristen

April 16th Class Wrap-up~ A-E-I-O-U Moaning :)

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Thank you to Yoga for Moms Alum, Stephanie Bruning, for sharing her birth story.  It was wonderful to meet  Soren, and to observe the magic of the Moby Wrap as Stephanie wrapped him up when he was starting to cry.  Stephanie reminded us of the importance of low moaning during labor, and attributes her calm and relaxed state during labor to her positive birthing experience.

After she shared, everyone had a chance to check in and we talked about how chiropractors can help lower back and sciatic pain during pregnancy. Inspired by Stephanie’s talk, we practiced low moaning during our squatting sequence (“A-E-I-O-U…”)  We danced to Jack Johnson and completed our class with final relaxation, dedicating our practice and the next week to Julianna as we hold her in our thoughts for the arrival of her second baby.

We will be practicing in the main entry hall of the church again next week.

Enjoy the rest of the week  and see you on Monday evening.

Namaste,

Tekla

Support and Strength when “plans” go astray

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On Monday April 9th, we met Baby Adele and heard her birth story from new Mom and Yoga for Moms Alum, Reesa!  This was a birth story with the lesson of sometimes the best laid plans can go astray!  But with bravery and support a healthy glowing baby was Reesa’s reward!  We honor Reesa and send her off to the wonderful world of motherhood with our blessings and love….

After our birth story we met two new moms and chatted about our week.

We began our practice with a 7 minute guided meditation and proceeded into our active practice with a flowing moon salutation.  We simulated contractions by holding “Super Mom” for 30 seconds on each side, one in silence and the other with guided support.

We ended with a reading and warm wishes to those moms nearing their due date…

Stay tuned for a glimpse into next weeks’ class…

With Gratitude,

~Kristen

Mantra Chanting

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Apologies for this not being posted on Friday.  With Passover and Easter falling on the same weekend our 2 faith household has been busy!!!  That said, here is your weekly thought…

Mantra Chanting 

Even from inside the womb babies loves to hear their mothers voice.  Do not worry about not having a professional singing voice!  To baby, your voice is beautiful!  Mantra chanting can help soothe baby and uplift the mother!!  Using mantra in pregnancy and birth can help can create a high vibration and deep loving peace for mom and baby…

Some popular mantras:

Adi Shakti-for Strength of the Feminine

Sa Ta Na Ma-for Balance and Transformation