Yoga | Birth | Babies

Stepping onto the yoga mat may feel very vulnerable for many people. It’s a time to be present with body, mind and breath and that can be challenging, especially if you have suffered through any type of traumatic experience. According to Sidran Institute, an estimated 70 percent of adults in the United States have experienced a traumatic event at least once in their lives. In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with Tara Tonini, yoga and mediation teacher, birth doula, and Master Reiki Healer. Tara also leads teacher training with Exhale to Inhale that focus on trauma informed yoga. In our discussion Tara talks about how yoga can be a healing modality for those who have suffered from trauma and how trauma informed yoga can support the pregnant student during pregnancy, birth and early parenthood. Given the number of people who have encountered trauma in their lifetime, this is a must listen to episode. For the full show notes including how to connect with Tara click Here! Learn more about your ad c

If you're a parent, or simply have been around children, you know the how hard it can be to stay calm when a child is whining. I'm almost 8 years into parenthood and still, I find myself hungrily looking for expert advice on this issue! In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, I speak with Clinical Psychologist and founding editor of AhaParenting.com, Dr. Laura Markham. Dr. Laura breaks down many of the reason why children whine and “get sassy” and offers solid tools for how to best relate to your child during this uncomfortable and (let’s face it- sometimes infuriating!) time. For parents of children of all ages, this episode has amazing takeaways that will help defuse challenging moments. (P. S. I've already used some of these tactics and they REALLY work!) For more information and how you can connect with Dr. Laura visit prenatalyogacenter.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Every year 10-15 percent of babies born in America spend some time in the NICU. In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, I speak with Evelyn Gama, a licensed mental health therapist and mother to a NICU baby. Evelyn’s son was born at 26 weeks old and spent several months in the NICU. Evelyn opens up about that challenging time and how she reorganized life to straddle the world of being fully available for her new baby and still being the mother to a toddler at home. This episode is so important for the unexpected turns labor can bring or to support a friend or loved one in the midst of this experience. For the complete show notes including the resources mentioned in this episode, click HERE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with Spinning Babies Trainer and home birth midwife, Nicole Morales. Nicole offers insight to why a baby may be breech and methods to help baby navigate it’s way head down. Her empathic approach to her work will also provide comfort for those who may need to accept and surrender to a new and different birth experience than planned. This valuable episode will not only serve the pregnant person but birth workers and birthing partners as well. Enjoy! For the complete show notes visit prenatalyogacenter.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The number one reason for first time birthing people to have a cesarean is “failure to progress”. Failure to progress is defined as a labor lasting 20 hours or more for first time parents. However, labor is not always linear and can have variations. Back in the 1940’s the Friedman Curve was introduced in hospitals as a means to determine how quickly a laboring person should progress in labor, approximately 1 cm per hour. Research now supports the importance of disregarding that estimation and recognizing other factors like, epidural use, fetal position and emotional components, can prolonging labor. For those who wish to avoid an unplanned cesarean due to being labeled “failure to progress” this episode will resonate with you. I speak with certified professional midwife (CPM), the co-founder and director of Healthy Mother Sanctum Natural Birth Center, and the leading official Lamaze-certified childbirth educator, Dr. Vijaya Krishnan. Vijaya offers solid advice and tools for how to handle a slow labor, factors

We've all met those people we start chatting with and instantly decide, I want to know more about you. As Krisitn and I casually talked during the breaks of Prenatal Yoga Center's Prenatal Yoga Teacher Training, (which she was enrolled in) I started to realized how our personal paths mirrored one another and even intertwined at times. I loved hearing her open and honest experience of her two very different births and was delighted to “talk shop” about yoga “back in the day!” I discovered we even studied with the same teacher, Cyndi Lee at the former OM Yoga Center. This episode of Yoga|Birth|Babiescaptures a fun, honest, and open chat between two yogis, mothers and teachers. Kristen talks about the evolution of her yoga teaching and practice that has spanned more then two decades and how she manages life and 3 kids under 4 years old! Please enjoy! For the full show notes and to connect with Kristin visit: prenatalyogacenter.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to part two of the Birthing From Withinfocused podcasts. Recently, I embarked on the path to becoming a Birthing From Within Mentor. The process to becoming a mentor is multilayered but starts with a weekend intensive course called Crossing the Threshold. Right after attended the weekend course, I recorded last week’s podcast with Koyuki Smith, one of the weekend mentors. So I thought it only appropriate to pull out of the archives my conversation with the founder and creator of the Birthing From Within Method, Pam England. In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, I speak with Pam England, author of Birthing From Withinand Ancient Map for Modern Birth. This lively conversation covers quite a bit of ground- Pam and I discuss how Birthing From Withinwas born, how the philosophy and approach differs from more traditional methods and her work with Birth Story Medicineand her latest book, Ancient Map for Modern Birth. To connect with Pam and read the full show notes visit: prenatalyogacenter.com Learn more ab

If only there was a way to script out your “ideal” birth and be guaranteed the experience unfolds in that exact manner. Unfortunately, that’s impossible. However, many of us try to overly plan and seldom allow ourselves to relinquish the illusion of control over the wild nature of birth. In this episode of Yoga|Birth |Babies, I speak with birth doula and Birthing From Within Mentor, Koyuki Smith. Koyuki and I talk about the Birthing From Within Method and how grasping at information may lead to disappointment and can not assure you the perfect birth. She talks about surrendering to the unexpected and the importance of leaning into personal fears around the perception of birth. This conversation is sure to spark curiosity and inspiration for pregnant people, birth partners and birth workers. For the full show notes visit prenatalyogacenter.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We've all heard “It take a village to raise a child.” And while it sounds like a cliche or catch phrase, those of us who've been through or witnessed the transition from maiden to motherhood can understand the incredible importance of a supportive community. In this episode of Yoga|Birth| Babies, I speak with the director of event programming & operations at Motherly, Jessica Pallay. Jessica and I have a lively conversation about how community has shifted from past generations, the impact of online parenting, and how to find your “posse” during this transitional time. The Beatles were absolutely right, “I get by with a little help from my friends.” For the complete show notes visit: prenatalyogacenter.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Did you know that 20% of the population has a unique brain trait called Sensory Processing Sensitivity aka the “highly sensitive person”? And of course, this is not limited to only adults. Babies and children can also exhibit these traits and are unfortunately are often misunderstood and characterized as “colicky” or “overactive” or “anxious”. In the episode of Yoga| Birth| Babies, I speak with licensed psychotherapist, global HSP consultant, and leader in the field of high sensitivity, Julie Bjelland. She explains 15 common traits of the HS person and strategies to help parents best support their highly sensitive child. Julie also offers very solid and practical advise to help the highly sensitive parent handle the demands of new parenthood. For the full show notes including resources mentioned in today's episode visit: prenatalyogacenter.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I was recently sorting through old pictures of me “pre-children” and noted how cute and put together I was back then. My hair was cut regularly, my clothes were fun and fashionable and I had a very respectable handbag collection that never contained random lego pieces or pink hair bows. Why did becoming a mother lead to abandoning my fashion sense and falling into the “mom rut” of mainly sporting Lululemon pants, a (mostly) clean top and my hair in a messy top knot? In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with fashionista, blogger/writer and founder of Stroller in the City, Brianne Manz. This fun and breezy conversation offers tips and ideas to find fashion within function and reembody your personal style in all stages of motherhood. To connect with Brianne and learn more about Stroller In the City visit the show notes: prenatalyogacenter.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I wish I could say I have a very loving and peaceful relationship with my body and body image; unfortunately, I do not. However, with awareness of this personal flaw, I've made great efforts to be mindful of what I say about my appearance and any comments about the physicality of others in front of my children. As my all time favorite composer said so perfectly, “Careful the things you say, children will listen. Careful the things you do, children will see and learn.” In this episode of Yoga| Birth|Babies, I speak with founders of The Full Bloom Project, Zoe Bisbing, LCSW and Leslie Bloch, LCSW about how to raise children from a perspective of Body Positive Parenting. If you carry some of your own baggage or simply wish to lay a positive body relationship for your child, this conversation will inspire you.  Visit prenatalyogacenter.com for the full show notes! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We all know about the common physical issues of pregnancy and postpartum, an achy back, sore shoulders and tight hips. But what about the other issues that are often kept quiet, hidden in confusion and shame. Incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, finding some sense of connection to the postpartum core! These are huge physical barriers that can have an effect on the quality of one’s life. And while they are common, they are not a “normal” part of pregnancy and postpartum. And the individual suffering through these problems deserves an explanation help. In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with Registered Pelvic Health and Orthopaedic Physiotherapist, Anita Lambert. She dispels some common misconceptions about the popular “kegel” exercise and thoughtfully explains many pelvic floor and core problems pregnant and postpartum people regularly experience. Whether you are a pregnant person, new parent or birth worker, you will walk away from this episode with empowering and digestible information. To lea

What do you do when your birth goes in a completely different direction than expected? How do you recover, find peace, and prepare for the birth of another baby? What happens if your second birth also has a dramatic turn of events? This is the experience of this week’s guest. In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, I speak with dance artist, yoga teacher, and mom of two, Erin Cairns Cella. She bravely opens up about her two complicated births, how she was able to surrender to the experience, and find her way to find ease. Erin’s honesty and insight may offer support and comfort for those who also underwent a challenging birth. To learn more about Erin or connect with her visit: prenatalyogacenter.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the field of genetic testing grows, so do the options for parents to learn more about their baby prior to birth. However, the choices and information from these tests can be confusing and sometimes overwhelming. “Which test to take? What do the results mean? I am over 35 years old, will I need more testing and then what do I do with the results?” These are just some of the myriad of questions that come up around genetic testing. In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with board certified licensed genetic counselor, Ushta Davar Canteenwalla. Ushta helps demystify these daunting questions and bring clarity to genetic testing. For anyone thinking of conceiving soon or undergoing tests currently, this episode can bring ease and comfort around the subject of genetic testing.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of my favorite parts of early motherhood was listening to the scrumptious babble of my new baby. That was, until a level of frustration grew from our inability to communicate effectively. My son was often trying to share his needs and it much of the time, it just went over my head. If you are experiencing a similar predicament or want to avoid it as much as possible, you may consider learning baby sign language. In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with music therapist, teacher of the Deaf, and founder of Baby Fingers, Lora Heller. Lora explains how sign language can help increase vocabulary, improve child/care giver communication and increase bonding. I thoroughly enjoyed my talk with Lora and hope you do to! For the full show notes and more info on Baby Fingers click HERE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I’ll admit, I got a bit of zig when my husband and I went shopping to fill our baby registry. It was thrilling to see all the baby gear start to arrive. That is until we realized that our small one bedroom was not equipped to accommodate all the equipment baby’s require! Soon bottles, bibs and baby clothes started to take ownership of our home.  If you can relate to the feeling of being controlled by the stuff you own, this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies will help you embrace the decluttering process. I speak with Cassidy Nesello, a professional organizer, certified in the KonMari Method. She offers solid tools and support for anyone who may face having more “stuff” than they know how to handle and how to let it go.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Most people who recently birthed a baby experience some level of trying to reignite a relationship with their core muscles. Some people feel a huge disconnect and have little understanding of why their abdomen remains soft even after the rest of their body has started to regain some semblance of it’s former self. In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with physical therapist and Franklin Method Educator, Solange Ross and occupational therapist and founder and owner of The Functional Pelvis, Lindsey Vestal. We dive into a deep discussion about diastasis recti, the linea alba and what types of movement can support a healthy core. Plus, at the end I have a quick BONUS conversation with Solange about how postnatal yoga teachers can apply their knowledge of supporting a healthy core function in group classes. This talk is perfect for anyone interested in understanding their abdomen, pelvic floor and back and loves to geek out on anatomy! Visit prenatalyogacenter.com for the full show notes including the

How amazing is it that the documentary, #Period. End of Sentence, a film about menstruation just won an Academy Award! For years talking about periods was a closed subject. But now tides are turning and many people consider menstruation the “5th Vital Sign.” Disruptions in one’s cycle can predict potential health issues, give us insight to optimal fertility and a deeper understanding and appreciation of our own bodies. In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak certified Fertility Awareness Educator and Holistic Reproductive Health Practitioner, Lisa Hendrickson-Jack about menstruation, fertility, ovulation. For those who want to better understand their cycles, this podcast is a must! For the complete show notes visit prenatalyogacenter.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever found yourself facing a completely different scenario in life then you were expecting? At 7 months pregnant, writer and yoga teacher Anna Gannon, found herself unexpectantly unemployed and depressed. To her complete surprise, she stumbled into meditation which became passion and career. In the episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, Anna and I share a deeply honest and vulnerable conversation about life’s twists and unexpected findings. Anna opens up about a very challenging time in her life, her path to joy and exploring fears surrounding her upcoming birth.  For the complete shownotes visit prenatalyogacenter.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices