6 thoughts for all the pregnant ladies

 38 weeks pregnant in 2011
 Photo credit: Adrian Jost

This week I am teaching my last regular Prenatal yoga class. I may return to this beautiful and important practice, but for now... I am focusing on teaching the style of yoga i am practicing. I leave all the pregnant ladies with 6 thoughts.

1: Develop TRUST in your ability to know the wisdom of your body... let this trust help you work through any fear surrounding the labor and birth of your baby.

2: DO TWIST,  OPEN YOUR HEART,  LAY ON YOUR BACK… if it feels good, right, and like those movements are honoring your present moment body and mind. If you are truly listening to you body and honoring what you hear you will make the right choice.

3: do not jump, squish your baby, push beyond comfort…YOU HAVE NOTHING TO PROVE. . . ever.

4: Deepen CONSCIOUS BREATH. It calms your body and mind, and that calms your baby’s body and mind. Your conscious breath tells your nervous system that you are OK. And lets the important parasympathetic nervous system do the good work of growth, healing, and rejuvenating.

5: Your baby is ALREADY here… RIGHT NOW. You can already send your baby love, support, and nurturing energy. Know that they are sending love back.

6: do not feel guilty for not being perfect, for not eating well 100% of the time, for skipping yoga class… SOMETIMES A NAP IS MORE IMPORTANT