The second and third trimesters are ripe with rapid change as your baby is growing bigger and taking up more residence in your body. Just as you are getting used to your growing belly and declining nausea and exhaustion, in comes another aspect of pregnancy - indigestion and heartburn. While popping Tums and diet changes can help temporarily, there is a new kid in town.

"Anti-heartburn pose" also known as anahatasana (heart pose) is my "go to" when working with parents who experience heartburn or stomach discomfort. This pose provides physical space in the body creating room for the ribs lift up and out taking some pressure off of organs that are moving into new positions to make room for a growing uterus and baby. It's also a tremendous stretch for the front of the chest, shoulders and down the arms. 

Position 1: The first way to come into this pose includes the floor and something soft for under your knees. Come into a table top position (all 4's), then walk your hands forward while keeping your knees and hips in line. (Think a dog stretching in the sun.) Lower your forward as far as it is comfortable to the floor. You can even place a pillow or block under your forehead if your head does not touch the floor. Rest here and breathe deeply for 5-10 breaths.

Position 2: The second way changes your relationship to gravity a bit more. Sit in front of a couch or wall. Knees will be wider than hips with toes together. Walk your hands up the wall in a V shape or around the cushion of the couch (as seen in the photo below). Rest here and breathe deeply for 5-10 breaths.

Try it out next time you have stomach discomfort or heartburn. Reading this and you are not pregnant? No problem. Try this out for a deep stretch, to counter spinal flexion from sitting, or after a large meal. Let me know how it goes!

Have you ever had one of those days? Been up all night with a sick kid, another child doesn't want to go to school, the dog has thrown up on the rug, and breakfast is burnt. Frustration has started to build and build. You are ready to call it a day, and go back to bed....and it's only 9AM. Now what? You are at a cross roads. You could let your day be ruined....or....you could...try something different.

It's called Sitali breath in the yoga tradition. This breath is designed to cool down the physical and emotional bodies to gain clarity, wisdom, and space. Whether it be becoming overheated from warmer outdoor temperatures, heated by frustration, anger or anxiety, or hormonal fluctuations this is a good one to keep in mind.

This week I want to explore the topic of miscarriage. Although difficult for us to wrap our minds around, approximately 10-20% of known pregnancies will end in miscarriage. This is a staggering number, and means that most likely you know someone who has experienced miscarriage at some point in their lives. Although most miscarriages occur in the first trimester (first 13 weeks of pregnancy), the effects are long-term and devastating to families. Community support and healing are key elements in being able to move forward in the grieving process. In addition to grieving, the physical aspects of the miscarriage can be confusing, painful, and debilitating. Many pregnancies require a D&C, which is a surgical procedure which in and of itself can be traumatic couple with the compounded trauma of loss. 

In 2019, I experienced miscarriage at about 9 weeks. The process did not include a surgical procedure, but it did take many weeks to process resulting in low energy, blood loss, and soreness in the pelvic floor, legs, and belly. Both my physical and emotional bodies needed to be supported in the healing process. As with most things that overwhelm me, I turned to yoga. 

I approached the yoga practice very differently. I found that time in my bed was just wanted I needed. The sheets and softness were soothing so I would end each day with a few restorative poses in bed.  I would start in a supine butterfly pose (feet together, knees wide) with my hands on my belly and would breathe deeply. I would visualize healing and would take long, slow exhales to relax and release stress. Following this, I would tuck my legs towards my chest and allow my legs to be heavy. There was something very meaningful in this action - supine childs pose. I may follow this with rocking and breathing. Each pose I held until I felt I had benefited as much as I could. In subsequent weeks I added gentle supine twists and legs up a wall. Each evening I would let go more and get stronger in both body and mind. ​

As part of my healing, it became important for me to trust the process and reconnect with myself. It is incredibly easy to blame our bodies for this process, but connection can find encouragement and wisdom in ourselves. I began to put a practice together to help others going through a similar experience. Part breath, part connection, and part movement all to support healing in our bodies, in our minds, and in our souls. We never forget the little person that was lost. We continue to hold them in our hearts and we move forward more connected and more understanding.

For more information on ways heal and nourish yourself following miscarriage, tune into the "On Health for Women" podcast with Aviva Romm. The March 8 episode "On How to Have a Safe, Empowered Miscarriage at Home: What Every Woman Needs to Know" is a good one. 

​https://avivaromm.com/category/podcast/avivaromm.com/category/podcast/

Take care of yourself, and each other!

Those weeks after your baby is born is ROUGH! There are sleepless nights, changes in schedules, a general sense of overwhelm, and so much to take in. Getting active is probably the last thing on your mind. But....at some point as your baby starts to get more consistent sleep and you are getting in a regular shower, the thought of getting active again can come to mind. So, where do you start? Here are a few ideas to get you started.
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Take a Postnatal Yoga Class: I know I am biased as a postnatal yoga teacher, however, taking a postnatal class can help you build a better connection to yourself. This style class provides you time to check in with yourself physically, provides strengthening exercises, eases tension, and supports relaxation. No postnatal yoga class in your area? Slow flow and gentle yoga are great options. 

Go For a Walk: Walking is a gentle way to add in some cardio, as well as take things at your own pace. Walking builds strength and when done outdoors can provide some time to connect with your natural world and get some fresh air. 

Pilates: There are a lot of options for Pilates including online classes on YouTube and local classes at area studios. Start slow or for short 10 or 15 minute periods and add on as you strengthen. Pilates is a fabulous way to rebuild core strength and support the spine. As the spine has gone through significant changes in pregnancy this may help reduce back and shoulder pain.

Exercise with Baby: Take a Baby & Me yoga class at a local studio or online, or just include your baby in stretches and exercise at home or wherever you are. You get time to be active, and also bond with your baby all at once. 

Often times getting active after your baby is born takes a fair amount of patience as  you rebuild connections and get stronger, as well as some creativity to find what what works for you. Whatever you do, have fun with it!