Mindful Yoga : Whole Birth® Yoga

Yoga is a wonderful way to get into the body. Our minds are capable of being in the past, present or future, but our bodies are here now so being aware of our body helps us to be aware of the present moment.

What does mindfulness have to do with pregnancy, birth and parenting? Mindfulness is really about all of life, but it is helpful to be curious about how it helps in specific ways.

During Pregnancy, we are often full of excitement and wonder, yet also full of worry, fear or concern about our babies or other issues like if we are healthy enough or if we will be able to give birth. Mindfulness can be helpful during pregnancy by noticing what is working here and now. After all if you are pregnant, then your body is growing and nourishing your baby in just the right way, right now.....and that is a wonderful way to develop trust in your body.

During labor and birth one of the biggest challenges is staying out of your mind! Not in a way that feels out of control, but in a way that keeps your thinking and worrying from interfering with your body's innate ability to birth. Bringing mindfulness into the labor room in a way that you will learn in the Whole Birth yoga classes, allows you to be free from constant cycles of thought that have physiological effects which can interfere with birth.

Postpartum, breastfeeding and the whole new world of parenting are full of joys and of challenges. Mindfulness that you've learned and practiced throughout pregnancy and birth naturallly carries over to postpartum and parenting, helping to bring a sense of calm into a new way of life. Breastfeeding itself can become a sitting meditation when you're feeling overwhelmed those first few weeks.