Vrksasana (Tree Pose)

A posture for balance, strength and focus.

Benefits: brings strength to the body, emphasizing good posture, focus
to the mind, awareness of the breath and the present moment and
encourages stability of the pelvis.

How to practice:

1. Come standing with your weight evenly distributed along your feet,
and your spine straight extending towards the sky. You can start next to
a wall 6-8 inches away for balance.

2. Bring your palms together in prayer pose, anjali mudra, at your
heart center. Lifting one foot up and placing it on the inner ankle, calf
or thigh, depending on your stability and balance. Keeping the pelvis
and hips level, relaxing the muscles around the hip and thigh. Ground
down through your standing leg and maintain the length through the spine.

3. Softly lower your eyes and focus out and down about five feet in
front of you. As your balance steadies, lift your arms out and straight
up to the sky, arms parallel. Palms can face inward or forward. Observe
what works best for you.
Begin to settle in to the posture and the breath.

4. Holding the posture for two - three minutes on each side as you
breathe long and deep. Inhale and exhaling from you belly, your baby's
home.

I was past my due date and 2 ½ weeks late, yet every day I felt contractions thinking I was in labor. On the evening of March 22nd, I felt I was definitely going into labor. I called my midwife and she came to check how I was. My labor began at 5pm and she arrived at 7:30pm and decided it would be best to stay. My labor was slow and I was 1 cm dilated, but contractions were getting stronger. Once my midwife arrived, I began to settle in knowing I had a while to go. Click here to read Alice's full birthing story.

We invite you to share your Birth Story with us!
Email Lisa Taggart at lisat@yogayoga.com

Leslie Lytle
Leslie Lytle combines a background in Iyengar yoga and vipassana meditation with imagery, poetry, and a deep understanding of the experience of pregnancy and birth. She has worked with pregnant women since 1992, first as massage therapist, then as doula, and most recently as yoga instructor. A Certified Laban Movement Analyst and Registered Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance, Leslie holds a bachelor's degree in Movement Studies and a master's degree in Sociology, where her area of interest was women's experience of the body and health. Leslie's goal is to empower women in their childbearing year to transition into parenthood with grace and awareness.

Leslie says:
In the not too distant past, pregnancy was considered a "delicate" condition. Pregnant women were encouraged to take it easy during the nine month run-up to what might be considered the most physically and emotionally challenging event of their lives.

Fortunately, times have changed. Today's expecting moms are encouraged to pursue fitness. Emerging research confirms the many benefits of exercise during the childbearing years. During early to middle pregnancy, regular moderate physical activity helps relieve common discomforts of pregnancy such as nausea, fatigue and backache. Women who continue weight-bearing exercise throughout their pregnancies gain less weight, experience shorter labors, require fewer medical interventions, and report having more energy and easier postpartum recoveries. They also tend to have a more positive self-image and fewer worries about labor and delivery than women who don't exercise. Click here to read the full article.

We're excited to have Leslie with us in Austin this week. There is still room in her Postnatal Yoga Training. Click here for more information or call (512)707-YOGA to sign up!

From the book, Bountiful, Beautiful, Blissful by Gurmukh Khalsa

Prenatal Resources

We would like to provide you with a variety of resources. Click here to view our online resource list.

We invite you to share your birthing resources with us, or if you are a Birthing Professional please contact lisat@yogayoga.com

Postnatal Yoga class is a great way to support the body's recovery after birth. Mothers may bring their babies for an experience that incorporates yoga and bonding with the baby. These classes are a wonderful way to connect with other new mothers in supportive and healthy environment.

Postnatal Class Schedule

YY North
Friday 10:30am with Shari M

YYNorthwest
Wednesday 10:30am with Sarah E

YYSouth
Wednesday 3:00pm with Alice

YY Westgate
Tuesday 10:30am with Jess G.
Thursday 10:30am with Jess G - for Crawlers and Toddlers!
Sunday 1:30pm with Jess G.

Congratulations!

Elliott Burkey Heutel, son of Amy born April 19

Angus Kier , with mom Heather (former Yoga Yoga instructor) born February 21

We'd love to see your Yoga Baby!
Please send your pictures to Lisa Taggart, Prenatal Program Coordinator at lisat@yogayoga.com

Yoga Yoga Westgate, 4477 South Lamar, 512-358-1200
Yoga Yoga North, 2167 Anderson Lane, 512-380-9800
Yoga Yoga South, 1700 South Lamar, 512-326-3900
Yoga Yoga Northwest, 12001 Burnet Rd, 512-490-1200
Yoga Yoga Teacher Training, 1700 South Lamar, 512-326-2273