Sunday, June 24, 2012

Relaxation - What's that?


At the end of each of my classes we do Savasana or final relaxation.  I know some folks think relaxation isn't yoga and don't want to just 'lay around.'  Consider these possible benefits from relaxation:
  • wards off disease by strengthening the immune system
  • reduces heart disease
  • reduces the need for insulin in diabetics
  • widens restricted respiratory passages
  • lowers blood pressure
  • lowers cholesterol levels
  • relieves significant pain
  • relieves mental stress and tension


Relaxation is becoming widely practiced in many medical programs for heart patients, asthmatics, folks with high blood pressure, and those recovering from trauma.  It no longer fits into the woo-woo category.  So why don’t we do it?  First answer…I don’t have time.  My question…how can we NOT make time for health and wellness for ourselves, our children, and our families?  This is why I include savasana in every class. 

Do you remember the first time you learned about relaxation?  Who taught you?  Imagine your favorite place to relax and how you feel during and after relaxing.  Now imagine giving your child the gift of relaxation for the REST of their lives.

We all want to be happy and we want our kids to be happy.  When we relax endorphins are released which create a sense of happiness.  Relaxation calms the central nervous system allowing the body to rejuvenate itself.  Relaxation helps kids sleep better and that means parents sleep better.

We learn so many useful tools in yoga.  The next step is taking it off your mat.  Create a Tool Bag you can reach into while you are out there living life.  Maybe you put long deep breathing into your tool bag to calm the central nervous system while you are at the grocery store.  One simple tool – long term deep effects in your life!

Come to class, connect with other mommas creating a peaceful way of life.

ß My schedule is here on my blog.

Remember: You are the perfect Mother for your child.







Resources:

Sunday, June 17, 2012

Why am I having these crazy thoughts?

Motherhood brings an array of experiences, but who woulda thought it would make you question your sanity? No, I mean really question it!  With the hormonal changes going on right after birth, life sometimes becomes like a slow moving foreign film you can't quite read the subtitles to.

You might settle into a 'routine' but you begin to find yourself doing things like putting the ice cube tray in the cabinet....or the lotion in the fridge.  Okay, so you are sleep deprived and those things can happen.  But what about really weird doomsday thoughts, those thoughts you don't talk about with your husband or partner?

So much press is given to postpartum depression.  We have all heard the term, seen the stories, and are somewhat familiar with the condition.  Most of us do not want to be 'HER' - the mom with postpartum depression!  This is the thing: we are all 'HER.'  Your babymoon is a tumultuous time for your hormones, body, and psyche.  This is a huge adjustment you are going through, not to mention you are suddenly responsible for keeping another human being alive! New Moms are unable to see and understand their own needs because they have just arrived on unstable ground.  This is new territory for women in our culture. We are strong, confident, & have ourselves and our family (mostly) together - at least we thought we did.

Babymoon anxiety is not always a super extreme situation. It often goes unmentioned because it is not EXTREME.  Do you hear women talking or writing about their weird thoughts?  The question becomes what do you do when things become unmanageable in your head?  How do you reach out without being dismissed and judged.

Babymoon anxiety can be a natural and transitional response to birth for women. "Experts" say 15 - 20% of women experience more significant expressions of anxiety and depression; that is 80% that may still experience anxiety after birth, just not 'significant.'  When it's you and you are experiencing unusual responses to stress and the now unfamiliar world - it feels significant.

Some ways women experience anxiety after birth are mildly obsessive thoughts and fears for everyone's safety.  Due to our culture and media influence many of the themes we see in new mommas are sourced from those influences.  Break-ins might be more on the forefront of your thoughts, or kidnapping, getting locked in or out of the car/house.  All of these can be seen as instinctual  responses to birth - imagine a tiger with her cubs.  She would constantly be on the look out for predators, trying to stay one step ahead of them.
Same response.

Wow ...so glad to hear this happens to other new mommas?  Find others to connect with. Be brave. Talk to your healthcare provider about it.  Find nutritional support.

Here are a couple of suggestions from mommas:
Other resources in Austin, Texas: