yogaBIRTH
Preparing Body, Mind and Spirit for a Conscious, Natural Birth Experience
pregnancy yoga • birth preparation • labor support
Preparing Body, Mind and Spirit for a Conscious, Natural Birth Experience
pregnancy yoga • birth preparation • labor support
Yoga in Birth
Birth is
instinctual. It is not something that must be learned, but instead
felt and allowed. Every moment spent in yogic practice or awareness is
ideal preparation for this surrender into the divine space of birth.
Of all the approaches to childbirth preparation that I have researched and experienced, none of them come close, in my opinion, to the relativity and depth of the practice of yoga. We inherently possess the capability to give birth easily and joyfully and in order to access that ability, we must become reunited with an instinctive trust and confidence that modern American society scares right out of women.
Yoga, in fact, means "union" and consists of a variety of different practices meant to facilitate our return to a deep level of instinctual awareness that allows us to trust our bodies, trust our babies, trust nature and the birth process. These practices address the well-being of mothers-to-be (and everyone who engages in them) holistically - not just considering the body, but also the mental, emotional, energetic and spiritual realms of being as it prepares us to meet this most divine of challenges with confidence and grace.
Physically, the practice of asana, or posture, prepares the body for birth by keeping it strong, fit, flexible, promoting hormonal balance and preventing or alleviating many of the common discomforts of the pregnant body. Exploring our bodies through yoga postures also develops a keen sense of awareness of the body's needs and signals, and cultivates our subtle instincts and ability to trust our bodies to do their work.
On an energetic level, the practice of pranayama, or breathing, gives us deep access to our center - cultivating calm, relaxation, clarity and vitality and trains us to work with intense energy - exactly what you experience during birth.
Mentally, meditation helps us to recognize negative thought patterns for what they are and practices such a mantra, affirmations and chanting help us to replace negative patterns with positive intentions and thoughts that help us shape the physical experience of giving birth.
All the practices of yoga help to balance the roller coaster of emotions we can experience during pregnancy and birth. When we repeatedly enter the sacred space of the spirit through asana, pranayama, meditation, mantra or other practices, we find the peace we need to release fear, doubt, worry and anxiety and come to realize our own power and confidence.
Of all the approaches to childbirth preparation that I have researched and experienced, none of them come close, in my opinion, to the relativity and depth of the practice of yoga. We inherently possess the capability to give birth easily and joyfully and in order to access that ability, we must become reunited with an instinctive trust and confidence that modern American society scares right out of women.
Yoga, in fact, means "union" and consists of a variety of different practices meant to facilitate our return to a deep level of instinctual awareness that allows us to trust our bodies, trust our babies, trust nature and the birth process. These practices address the well-being of mothers-to-be (and everyone who engages in them) holistically - not just considering the body, but also the mental, emotional, energetic and spiritual realms of being as it prepares us to meet this most divine of challenges with confidence and grace.
Physically, the practice of asana, or posture, prepares the body for birth by keeping it strong, fit, flexible, promoting hormonal balance and preventing or alleviating many of the common discomforts of the pregnant body. Exploring our bodies through yoga postures also develops a keen sense of awareness of the body's needs and signals, and cultivates our subtle instincts and ability to trust our bodies to do their work.
On an energetic level, the practice of pranayama, or breathing, gives us deep access to our center - cultivating calm, relaxation, clarity and vitality and trains us to work with intense energy - exactly what you experience during birth.
Mentally, meditation helps us to recognize negative thought patterns for what they are and practices such a mantra, affirmations and chanting help us to replace negative patterns with positive intentions and thoughts that help us shape the physical experience of giving birth.
All the practices of yoga help to balance the roller coaster of emotions we can experience during pregnancy and birth. When we repeatedly enter the sacred space of the spirit through asana, pranayama, meditation, mantra or other practices, we find the peace we need to release fear, doubt, worry and anxiety and come to realize our own power and confidence.
NEXT SESSION BEGINS:
August 16, 2010
August 16, 2010
REGISTER
In person at any Charm City Yoga location
By phone by calling 1.800.336.YOGA
(select Midtown location)
Online by clicking here and choosing workshops
OR
Email Heather with questions or to inquire about private sessions.
