Welcome to all the new Prenatal Yoga students who joined Yoga Yoga in April, and congratulations and welcome to all the new yoga babies born!

Blaine's Birth Story by Jessica Lyon
Born on February 22nd, 2008 at 2:22 pm
8 lbs 8 oz, 20.5 inches long

I had a doctor's appointment at 8:15 on Thursday the February 21st - 5 days before my actual due date of the 26th. At my last appointment my cervix was completely closed and not effaced at all. Lisa Carlile, the CNM in Dr. Thompson's office suggested that we use a little Evening Primrose Oil to "get things moving along." By Thursday's appointment I was 1 cm dilated and 60% effaced! Wow! Lisa said that we could have this baby any day (or in two weeks-don't get your hopes up :) During my exam she did a few more things that "moved me along." As soon as I left the office I started contracting.

About every 30-45 minutes I was really feeling crampy… sometimes I thought it was hunger and other times I just knew that I was in pre-labor. I left work at 2 that day and ran some errands, having to stop occasionally to hold on to something and breathe through a contraction. I took my husband David some lunch at work and told him he better get ready for a baby, but I think he still thought we had a week to go! Thursday night was supposed to be date night for Dave and I - but baby had other plans.

Click here to read the rest of the story!

Beat the Heat!

Buy a 20 class pass and get August FREE!
All August weekend workshops are free, including
Prenatal Yoga and Nutrition.

Register for Beat the Heat at any Yoga Yoga Location.

Click here for more information.

Spinal Rotation with a Partner

Partner work allows for a deeper intimacy between partners, deepening of breath awareness, physical support and increased emotional & mental support.

• Sit comfortably in sukhasana, easy pose, with your backs to each other
• Allow your eyes to close and begin to observe your breath. Move your breath awareness to the back body
• Begin to match the rhythm and flow of your breath with your partner - feeling the connection between your breath, your partner and your baby.
• Allow the breath to be slow and deliberate, relax. Stay here for several breaths. When ready, open your eyes slowly.
• Interlace arms with your partner, bend the elbows and raise to shoulder height.
• Root down through the sit bones as you exhale. Inhale to lengthen through the torso and on your next exhalation, both gently twist to the right. Pause for a breath cycle. Inhale back to center, and exhale. Repeat on the left side. Continue this gentle spinal movement 2 more times on each side.
• When completed, release arms and stretch them above your head. Lengthen through the side body and draw the palms together at your heart.
• Turn to face your partner and thank them!

Gomukhasana (Cow Face Pose) Arms

Whether you are breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, many new moms experience neck and shoulder aches from rounding forward throughout the day. The hunched-over position can lead to other problems such as headaches, neck and back pain. Try this asana when breastfeeding.

•Sit in sukhasana, easy pose. If your little one is awake, rest her/him on your lap so your gaze meets.
•Bring your awareness to your shoulder blades and consciously draw them away from the ears and down the back.
• Bring the right arm overhead and turn the palm inward.
• Bring the left arm out to the side and parallel to the floor and turn the palm outward.
• Bring palms together behind the back, using a strap if they don't touch.
• Hold for five breaths, release, and repeat to the other side.

Variation: Inhale to lengthen, and on the exhalation lengthen through the spine and fold forward to rub noses with your little one. Stay for 5 breaths, then inhale and come up.

Benefits: Stretches the shoulders and armpits, opens the chests and helps to bring circulation to the lymph nodes.

Click here to see our new Staying Connected Blog!
Where pre and postnatal yoga students get information and share their thoughts on all things yoga, baby, and the parenting life.

Prenatal for Partners with Alice
Register early for these workshops as they tend to fill quickly!
Saturday, June 7, 2:00 pm-4:30 pm at Yoga Yoga South Register Now
Saturday, July 26, 2:00 pm-4:30 pm at Yoga Yoga Northwest Register Now
This fun and supportive workshop gives both birthing partners the tools they need to experience a satisfying childbirth. Reflect upon the sacred aspect of the prenatal period and take an opportunity to experience deeper connection with one another and the growing baby through physical and meditative practices.

Prenatal Yoga and Nutrition with Mary (Guru Partap)
Sunday, August 10, 12:00 pm - 2:30 pm Yoga Yoga Westgate
Science tells us what the yogis have known for millenia: to a large extent, lifelong health is shaped in the womb, and a woman can influence generations through the positive changes in nutrition. We will explore the yoga of prenatal food, spices, and body-mind nourishment, practice Kundalini Yoga for strengthening digestive fire, and a special meditation to nourish mother-power.
Click here to register for this workshop.

Professional development training for yoga teachers and pregnancy health care professionals.

This training is open to yoga teachers and pregnancy health professionals with a committed yoga practice. Pregnancy offers women many physical, spiritual, and social challenges as they embark on the journey into motherhood. Yoga practice during pregnancy can help them prepare for these challenges with awareness, strength, and grace. Yoga is rapidly becoming one of the most popular ways of preparing for childbirth in the United States. After childbirth, yoga can be a powerful tool to help women connect with their bodies, their babies, and each other.

"I did this training last year with Leslie Lytle while pregnant! It was phenomenal. It probably gave me the best preparation for labor, birth, and postnatal than anything else I read or did." - Liz B.

Click here for more information.

Seton Medical Center Williamson
Saturday, June 21
10:00am - 2:00pm
A family-fun event offering helpful resources for new and expecting moms.
More info: www.seton.net/williamson

Who Will Attend Your Birth? ©
By Ryka George, CD(DONA), PCD(DONA)

There are many decisions to be made when having a baby. How do you know what are the best decisions for you? Where will you birth your baby? Who will attend to your needs while you are birthing? And, how do you prepare for your birthing time? I will share with you some information that can make your journey easier.

The first decision you will likely make is, "Where will I birth my baby?" This decision should be made in your heart. It will be best for you to follow your intuition and not that of your partner's, or mother's, or your friends'. If you do not know your answer, please take some time alone to feel what is in your heart, for you are the only one who will know what is best for you.

Many people do not know that statistically speaking, home birth with a skilled midwife is the safest place to birth, assuming a healthy mom with no major pregnancy complications. So, if there is any part of you that feels called to homebirth, please follow your heart. You will not get a "do-over".

How do you know what to look for in a birthing practitioner, a hospital or a birth center?

Click here to read the rest of the article.

Prenatal Resources

Click here to view our online resource list of birthing professionals, vendors, and other services that might be of use to you.

We invite you to share your birthing resources with us. If you are a Birthing Professional who would like to appear on our list, please contact lisat@yogayoga.com

Postnatal Class Schedule - Summer '08

Postnatal Yoga classes are 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 a supportive and healthy environment.

YYNorthwest
Wednesday 10:30am with Sarah E
Thursday 10:30am with Summer

YY North
Friday 10:30am with DeLora - for Crawlers and Toddlers!

YYSouth
Monday 1:00pm with with DeLora - for Crawlers and Toddlers! (NEW TIME!)
Wednesday 12:00pm with DeLora

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

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