Explore and Discover in Your Prenatal Practice
Guest Blogger Donna Takeuchi, PYC Prenatal instructor & mom, encourages students to explore and discover both on and off the mat. So much of what we do as humans is habitual. We do something a...
View ArticleMy Second Labor
My first labor with my son, Shay, was an epic 42 hrs. That is 42 hrs from first recognizing there was a pattern to the contractions to my baby being born. I was completely taken back and slightly...
View ArticleAre Your Birth Options Slipping Away?
I recently had a very lively discussion with my friends and expectant first time parents, Denise and Shai. The conversation revolved around the idea that there is often a feeling of having to defend...
View ArticleTuesday Tip: Epsom Salt
In the past few years I have come to appreciate all the uses and benefits of magnesium sulfate, aka Epsom salt. First off, I must stress, Epsom salts are sometimes recommended as a laxative; this...
View ArticleDeb’s Book Club and Book List!
It’s time for a book club! We’re revisiting a post from 2010, but this time I want to delve back into these books with the PYC community. We’ll be reading one book a month, starting with Ina May’s...
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The Language of Labor and Birth
Have you ever stopped to think about the power and ripple effect the words you say to yourself have? Recently I lead a class focused on asanas that were purposely uncomfortable. All the poses were...
View ArticlePreparation and Acceptance for the Birth of a Mama: Andrea’s Birth Experience
By Andréa Takacs-Carvalho (thegaiahealer on Instagram) My son’s birth story started on the day I met my husband. Previously, I had no desire to be a mother. I never heard the ticking of a biological...
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Is Your Fitness & Yoga Routine Helping or Hindering Your Birth?
One of my students recently forwarded me a link to a very pregnant yogini doing extremely advance yoga poses. She asked me my thoughts on this trend. I have to admit, this is something I have been...
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Shara’s Birth Story
My birthing story begins with my husband… I mean where else can it really begin? When I became pregnant, I was super excited, but feeling a little alone in the process. Many of my friends were on...
View ArticlePlanning Your Birth BEFORE You Are Pregnant
I am going to throw out an idea that may sound completely crazy to many people; Start to think about your birth BEFORE you are even pregnant! I know for many people there is enough anxiety and...
View ArticlePreparing Your PARTNER For Birth!
Much of the literature and information pertaining to the unfolding of birth is geared towards demystifying and preparing the mother. However, there tends to be less focus on how to prepare the partner...
View ArticleWhy I Chose A Home Birth
While I was pregnant, I kept my birth choices private. I am a prenatal yoga teacher, labor support doula and Lamaze teacher; I didn’t want my students to feel I disapproved of their birth plans based...
View ArticlePodcast: Ballerinas and Babies- American Ballet Theater’s Kelley Potter...
In today’s podcast I had the privilege of interviewing Kelley Potter, ballerina for American Ballet Theater. Kelley openly talks about balancing life and career as a professional ballerina and the...
View ArticleAsking Permission To Birth Your Baby?!?
About 12 years ago, while I was earning my doula certifications, I attended a birth that had such an impact on me, the situation still lingers with me to this day. To complete the doula program, I was...
View ArticleUnderstanding the Model of Care : Doctor and the Midwife
This article originally appeared on Mommybites.com, November, 11th 2015. For many women there seems to be some confusion over the difference between the practice and role of a midwife versus that of a...
View ArticleHow America Fails New Parents — and Their Babies | Jessica Shortall | TED Talks
I urge all new and expectant mothers and parters to take a moment and listen to this TED talk. While the topic of the US’s sad state of maternity leave is not necessarily new, the way Jessica...
View ArticleYoga In the 1st Trimester
“Should I practice yoga during my 1st trimester?” is a question that I am asked quite frequently. Like so many pregnancy topics, you’ll come across a variety of opinions and ideas, many of which...
View ArticleWhy Take Childbirth Education OUTSIDE the Hospital
Since I first opened the doors for Prenatal Yoga Center, childbirth education classes has been a staple of our foundation and offerings. For years, thousands of couples have attended these classes in...
View ArticleDoes Birth Happen In the Brain?
“You birth between your ears, not your legs”, a statement made by internationally recognized expert on water birth and gentle birth, Barbara Harper, rang in my head long after our podcast interview was...
View ArticleIs the Natural Birth Community Doing a Disservice to Expectant Mothers?
A student approached me last week very upset and rather angry. She said she felt betrayed and let down by what she called the “Natural Birth Movement”. She went on to tell me about her vast...
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