Sunday, January 30, 2011

Are you a new mom who's lacking in the self care department? You sure aren't alone. Not at all!













If you come to any of my Yoga classes you are used to hearing me harp on about Self Care. I mean what's more important really? For ALL of us?

The answer is N-O-T-H-I-N-G.

If you can get to Yoga, by all means...Get to Yoga.

*But what if you are a new mom and are feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, scared, burned out?

Ask-for-help* Just do it!

People really want to help.

Remember your Self Care. We can't fully show up for the rest of our lives, our children, loved ones and community if we don't care for ourselves first!

If you are feeling depressed, isolated, overwhelmed, or are just plain not coping well you are NOT ALONE! (not in the least)! Contact The Pacific Post Partum Support Society at 604-255-7999. For more info you can click HERE

And also Three Bridges has Parent Infant Support groups that have different topics each week, community health nurses, resources... It's a place where you can weigh baby, ask questions, hang with other mom's etc.

Those groups are Wednesdays at the new Robert Lee YMCA at 966 Burrard St. from 130-300 and The Roundhouse holds theirs Thursday mornings from 1030-1200. For more info on The three Bridges Community Health Centre and their Parent/Infant groups call 604-736-9844

Many downtown/Yaletown mom's I know attend the afternoon Robert Lee YMCA parent infant group on Wednesdays, so they can come to Baby and Me Yoga on Thursdays at The Roundhouse. For more info on the Roundhouse click here or call 604-713-1800.

**Then they get to enjoy both, on two different days! Getting out is just so very important.

I also have Baby and Me Yoga Monday mornings from 1045-1200 at Mount Pleasant CC. For more info on Mt.Pleasant click here or call 604-257-3080

Anyways, I've gotta run! Wanted to share these little tips for new mom's I came across courtesy of Dr.Lois Nightingale. Take care of yourself. Nobody else is going to do it for ya.

And besides...the world needs us!


Seven 5 Minute Tips to Help New Mothers Relax and Rejuvenate

by Dr. Lois Nightingale

Sometimes 5 minutes at a time is all new mothers can find in their busy days. When the baby is sleepy or older kids are briefly entertained. These can be thought of as "mini vacations" that you can return from more relaxed and ready to take care of the tasks you have committed to:

1. Focus on you breath. Breathe in and feel how cool and dry the air is as compared to warmer moister air as you exhale. Breathe deeply filling your lungs from the bottom up. Let your abdomen move as you breathe. As you breathe in, say silently "re" and as you exhale "lax". Say silently to yourself "re-lax" as you breathe deeply.

2. Sit quietly and comfortably and close your eyes. After taking 5 deep cleansing breaths, bring your attention to noises, smells and feelings around you. What can you hear, smell and feel? Pay attention to detail, subtle sensory stimuli and what you might not usually notice, when your mind wonders, gently bring it back to something you hear, smell or feel.

3. Spend 5 minutes, just noticing without judgment If you notice undone housework, clothes on the floor, your fatigue, just notice that it is so. Do not use "should", "would", "could", "ought" or any other derogatory statements about yourself or others. Detach yourself from the emotional judgment about your environment and those around you. Begin bringing this perspective into the rest of your day.

4. Walk outdoors. Notice how nature works effortlessly, without worry or anxiety. Notice the colors, movement, and temperature, breathe in the fresh air. Exhale completely. Be fully present. Watering, gardening, watching clouds, playing with pets or just watching leaves blow in the breeze creates tranquillity.

5. Spend 5 minutes each night writing down things that you accomplished, giving yourself credit. These may be "small" in comparison to "life before the baby", but now take effort, focus and forethought. Give yourself credit for healthy food you've eaten, quality time you spent with your baby and other family members, and relaxation time you have taken out during your day.

6. Have a lovely fragrant lotion (the more "decadent" the better) to give yourself a 5 minute hand or foot massage, feel the softness, smell the fragrance, bring your attention to the muscles relaxing as you massage the lotion into your skin.

7. When driving, listen to positive self-confidence building tapes or CD's. Feed yourself emotionally by what you listen to. Avoid angry and hostile talk shows or personal acquaintances. Notice if what you are listening to builds you up or tears you or someone else down. Surround yourself with positive growing people who encourage you.

Friday, January 28, 2011

Do you enjoy helping others? Are you helping them in the right way?


I am thrilled to be spending the weekend with a Yoga Teacher and Psychotherapist named Michael Stone. (and no, he's not my therapist haha.. And yes, I do have one)!
He's doing a book signing this evening from 730-9 and some yoga workshops tomorrow and Sunday at a couple different Semperviva Yoga studios here in town.

The book is called Yoga for a world out of balance.
Click here for details.

Not sure how I missed ever knowing of this guy (especially since I have pretty much lived my entire adult life in Toronto where he's from before moving here). Anyways, none of that matters now. Since September of last year (the same month this particular talk was recorded) I have listened to every podcast, watched every video, and heard just about every public word that this man has said, and honestly I could listen to him every single day. He's fascinating, wise, edgy and very cool. I highly recommend listening to his talks, reading his books and catching him any chance you get. I got into a workshop with him last year at The Yoga Conference on the very last day of the conference and left wishing that I had gone to more. Many more. His Sangha is called Centre of Gravity. Heres a link

Here is just one of his many talks HERE
Enjoy & Namaste

This blog is always so light and fluffy, but this is serious! You WANT to sign this petition to STOP the meter on your internet use.

For more info click HERE

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

January in these parts



Signs of spring are right outside your window if you live in Vancouver


The winter hasn't gotten to me yet this year (heres hopin' it stays that way)!

Just this morning I snapped this pic of daffodils making their way out of the ground outside our window! There are buds on many of the trees out there and I haven't had to turn on my sad lamp yet, which is very unusual. I know it could all change tomorrow (or in the next 10 minutes haha). I mean we could get a blizzard! But for now, enjoy.

If winter is getting to you, try going out for a walk with your camera. You'll see signs of spring everywhere you look.

Man invents machine to convert plastic into oil


This is amazing! A girlfriend sent this to me this morning and wow...
Read the subtitles, it's in Japanese.

Sunday, January 23, 2011

RIP Jack LaLanne

I always liked this guy and his attitude! He was way before my time but a guru to many. He was way "ahead" of his time. He just passed away this evening, and lived to the ripe old age of 96! He enjoyed wonderful health his whole life long.

Born Francois Henri LaLanne in San Francisco (his parents were French immigrants), he felt the effects of sugar and bleached flour in his diet. After hearing a health lecture, he devoted his life to following a diet of raw, unprocessed foods. His staples: two meals a day and no snacks.

He opened up a chain of gyms and worked out releltlessley his entire life. Fitness and nutrition were his life, and for him it certainly paid off.

At age 60 he swam from Alcatraz Island to Fisherman’s Wharf while pulling a 1,000-pound boat – and while handcuffed. At 70, shackled again, he pulled 70 people in 70 boats 1½ miles through Long Beach Harbor.

The quote I most remember is "Exercise is King: Nutrition is Queen, put 'em together and you've got a
Kingdom. The guy was always happy and full of energy. He was sure doing something right.

He often said, "I cannot afford to die, it will ruin my image."
Rest in peace Jack LaLanne. You were a wonderful role model.

Despite advanced age, LaLanne continued to work out every morning for two hours. He spent 1½ hours in the weight room and half an hour swimming or walking.

Saturday, January 22, 2011

Dusk. nightfall. walking in our city.
















"The soul is placed in the body like a rough diamond, and must be polished, 
or the luster of it will never appear"Daniel Defoe

Everywhere I go people comment on my jewelry. And with good reason, it's stunning.

And its all lovingly made by hand as an income generating project by the loveliest of women. The mothers and grandmothers Shanti Uganda supports. Did you know that you can host your own Shanti Party? Let's face it, tupperware parties couldn't be more out. Plastics? Blech. (we won't even get into that haha). I'm often asked "How can I help"? You can now have a rockin' Shanti Party at your place! (Well, it doesn't have to be rockin' haha..but it could be!) Its a great way to support the inspiring work we do in Uganda without a big commitment. You will feel so good. And you will be making a HUGE difference in the lives of some of the sweetest women ever. These are mothers and grandmothers with HIV/AIDS and teen girls. And you will be sharing the love and sporting some of the coolest, most stylish, one of a kind jewelry there is! P.S. And you know where your money is going. All of it. Every dime. 100% of the proceeds go towards helping infant and maternal health, teen girls programs...and the list literally goes on. Feel good, look great, and be amazed at just how inexpensive this stuff is as well. I still can’t get over it..Personally I’d pay way more for this jewelry. Anyhow, wanted to share the news!

Click this link and find out how! Oh, and feel free to invite me!





Friday, January 21, 2011

If you come to my classes you know all about the beloved relaxation response...

There is no educational requirement or aptitude necessary to experience the Relaxation Response. Just as each of us experiences anger, contentment, and excitement, each has the capacity to experience the Relaxation Response.
-Herbert Benson

Thursday, January 20, 2011

I can't believe The Briefing is just 5 days away!!


Heres the trailer for The 2011 Briefing at UBC.
Are you going? Can you go? I am so sad I can't go but I'll be there in spirit. I've got my yoga classes to teach that night, and I've never been one to miss those!

It takes place Tuesday January 25 from 5-8pm at UBC Woodward 2 and you can register here for a toonie, and make your voice heard!

It's called The UBC Dollar Project (click here for more info).

You can hear about 8 different community projects and vote for your favourite one! And YES Shanti Uganda is one of them! **click here for Shanti's site**

I love the whole concept so much. The fact that you can pay a dollar and make a HUGE impact in the world. Thats so beautiful to me.

And to me, just listening to the speakers and hearing their passion, while learning about the world around me and the various causes being discussed would be so fascinating to me. If you can go, go!

I can't wait to hear all about it! And being an Ambassador for the organization and feeling so passionately about it, I am rooting for The Shanti Uganda Society all the way! We need that fence asap, and every single bit helps! For more info on Shanti's Fence Project click here

To keep up with Shanti Uganda and all the good they do, and their various projects etc, you should sign up for their newsletter. Its lovely and will make you feel really, really good inside. much like yoga. Namaste.

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Yoga will make you sensitive to...

Do no underestimate the value of being balanced, centered, and coordinated, of being strong and light, of being more flexible, without pain, experiencing the subsequent feelings of invisibility or transparency, and being more sensitive…Yoga will make you sensitive to the stillness, the presence, the hush. -Erich Schiffmann