It is my desire to learn more about you, why you came to my site, what it is you’re looking for and how I can best serve you through Yoga, Ayurveda, and Mindfulness-based practices. I value your time and would be deeply grateful if you would take a moment to answer a few questions about your current challenges and goals. This will help me discover what topics to teach, write about and share with you.
Here is a link to the Survey:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NBFTWBG
Here is a link to my answers to some of the Survey questions that came through:
I’m writing to share with you my journey to healthy pregnancy. This will probably take place in installments, as I have a lot to say ;). Although not always graceful as I would have liked, being a mother is the most profound experience one can have on this earth. I am so grateful these little (and not so little) beings chose me. I choose them every day.
Below are a few things I learned and practiced throughout my pregnancy that may be of benefit to you.
1. Listen to your body.
It’s been shown that meditation increases grey matter in a number of areas of the brain including the insula. This is the area of your brain responsible for self awareness and it was amazing this time how much more in tune I was with Declan. The meditation practice I had been doing regularly for about seven years now and irregularly since 2000 made such a huge impact. I learned to connect intuitively with Declan very early on. I had dreams where I met this little soul and knew love so deeply.
2. Avoid wearing underwire bras.
Although they provide support, underwire bras constrict the flow of lymphatic fluids and hinder the free flow of energy, or qi, encouraging stagnation around the breasts. I stopped wearing them completely in my pregnancy.
3. Avoid toxic chemicals
Antiperspirant, hair and body wash, cleaning supplies, laundry detergent, etc. I use things like jojoba oil, castile soap, white vinegar, lemon and baking soda for personal and cleaning needs as much as possible. This also includes processed foods, leftovers, canned foods, packaged foods, frozen foods, and items grown with chemicals, pesticides, or GMOs.
4. Eat organic and local, seasonal food.
I was even more mindful of what I put into my body. I started tracking my diet with an app on my phone and made sure I was getting my nutritional needs met. I had been vegetarian for years and began craving meat. According to Ayurveda, meat can be medicinal. I listened to my body and began taking in small amounts of meat at lunchtime a few times a week. There are some amazing places in Monmouth County for consciously raised meat. I would always silently give an offering of thanks to the animal that gave its life for my health.
5. Massage yourself every day!
Ayurvedic Garshana (dry skin brushing) and Abhyanga (warm oil massage) were amazing for my body, mind and spirit. These practices remove toxins, promote cell turnover, enhance skin tone and improve self love and self acceptance. Gently massage yourself from your extremities towards your heart daily with warm castor or sesame oil. This helps mobilize your lymphatic system, toxins, fats, and excess hormones, and give your breasts a daily dose of love.
6. Exercise regularly.
Moderate exercise helps to balance your hormones, build immunity, and cleanse your body of accumulated ama or toxins. Focus on movements that use all of the muscles of respiration, the pelvic floor, the hips and glutes. Walk, swim, yoga, dance – all of these helped me stay fit during my pregnancy.
7. Breathe deeply.
Breathing deeply and fully relaxes tension in the body and increases the energy flow between each cell, organ, muscle, and tissue in our body, including that beautiful life inside of you. As far as Yoga, my practice was constantly changing. Below are some amazing resources I used for practice. My favorite is the Yoga Nidra, I did it every single day.
8. Love all that is happening
This is such a miracle. Life. Birth. Death. Rebirth. It’s all magic. Appreciate each moment. Become immersed in the rhythms of the universe.
“It’s the teachers who remain on the very edge of their own deep healing that can truly relate to the student who still suffers – and they’re the most able to offer a compassionate and knowing hand.”
Stephanie Snyder
I hear her crying. She’s here seeking refuge, comfort. It triggers me. The thoughts run through my mind “I can’t do this, I am not equipped to deal with this. This one is too close to home.” Sexual assault happens to 1 out of 4 women, and those are the ones who report it.
She’s 15. A young girl. With dreams in her heart and wings on her feet. She is a good person. A human being. A Human – Being sad right now. Being Powerless. Being Ashamed. Being Hurt. I can’t even describe with words what I felt, never mind what she feels. The only thing I can do is help her by listening. By offering the piece of knowledge that her feelings do not define her. Her body does not define her. She is perfect. She is whole. She did NOTHING wrong. This infuriates me and at the same time teaches me about myself. Helps me to continue on a journey of post traumatic growth. You can’t change the world, but you can help one person. Yourself. And only in doing so, can you help another.
Give yourself a hug little one. Place your left hand under your armpit near your heart and wrap your right arm around your left. Hug yourself. Take some very deep breaths. You are as vast as the sky and as deep as the ocean.
“Pregnancy is a time of deep and wonderful transformation for a woman. A time when she may be faced with many life-changing decisions, questions and searching. A time that may evoke challenges, joys and fears. Each pregnancy is surrounded by its own unique story and each holds within it the very same common thread – of stepping into the unknown.”
Declan. Unexpected. Little Miracle. Bringer of Goodness.
I discovered I was pregnant with you in February 2014. I thought I had an ulcer. Nausea, weight loss, fatigue, loss of interest in food…I knew this feeling but told myself it was something else. Between finishing school, single parenting and running a business – I thought stress had gotten the best of me. I had recently opened an office and was working so much and caring for others so much that I assumed my health had suffered. When my boobs started growing I thought it was an Ayurvedic cream I was using. By the time 6 weeks rolled around, I knew I needed to take the test. Carrinna was in the shower while I did it. She was the first to find out. I can’t say she was excited at first, but now she loves you more than all of the stars in the sky.
Pregnancy was blissful in the second trimester. I was feeling like the embodiment of the divine feminine. I was glowing. People kept asking me if this was my first baby. This pregnancy was the healthiest for sure. Yoga and a vegetarian diet had primed my body for you. I felt great and loved those moments with you – feeling you move, hearing your heartbeat, planning your arrival with my doula and your Dad. You were so loved and so welcome. The world was waiting for your sweetness.
The third trimester was more complicated than I could have ever imagined. Around my eight month I suffered some pretty intense emotional trauma. It sort of sent me spinning. Thank God for family and friends, Ashrams and practice. I was so supported and so vulnerable. What a strange, heart opening time for me. My body responded with injury, as is wont to happen, and I spent the last two months healing and falling ever more deeply in love with you.
The day you were born: September 22, 2015 10:22 am Sunshine
What a long night. I had been laboring for days it seemed – 51 hours in total. Prodromal labor – contractions, erratic and ineffective, but strong. Your Dad was so excited, like a hyper puppy (it was really cute). My friends and the girls were all anxiously awaiting word of your arrival. I couldn’t wait to hold you in my arms and to look into your eyes. One night, as your Dad and I finished watching Lord of The Rings, I stood up to go to bed and my water broke. Just like that. There was a flash of pure joy and relief. I had wanted to labor at home but as I walked down the hallway and fell to my knees with the pain of the contraction, we decided to head to the hospital. We decorated the room with christmas lights and a tapestry from Amma to set a relaxed mood. Played Yoga and Meditation music and kept it quiet and dark. My doula and your father held my hips every contraction for twelve hours it seemed. I didn’t want pain meds and I am so glad I stuck to that! The doctor came in and bullied me about using Pitocin. I was surprised by that and proud I was firm in my refusal despite her pressure. As labor progressed, I found chanting AUM to be immensely helpful. The vocal folds are attached to the pelvic floor and never has this been more evident for me. The Mantra Sa Ta Na Ma and Yogic breathing exercises helped as well. By the time you were ready to come it was twelve hard hours later. Your were born with Shoulder Dystocia, which means your shoulder was literally stuck on the pubic symphysis and only your head was delivered. It was the scariest moment of my life. To see your little purple face and fail at pushing the rest out. For a moment. Then by the grace of God and the encouragement of my amazing team you arrived. Healthy as can be with a great APGAR score and a robust 8.3 lbs and 20.75 inches long. You looked into my eyes and my heart melted. The most wonderful moment of my life. I love you more than words.
