Mamas – I don’t know how you do it. I don’t know how you function, let alone exercise. I had the opportunity to spend my weekend studying prenatal/postpartum yoga with Linda Spackman of Prajna Yoga in Santa Fe, NM. Linda travels with an empathy belly that we all had the “opportunity” to wear. Whew! I have a whole new appreciation for my mom. Everything is hard when you have 30lbs. strapped to the front of you.
Can we please talk about how your poor organs just “disappear?!” Just look at this diagram. That is one unhappy colon. The stomach is nearly in this poor girl’s throat and they don’t even have room for the lungs – who needs those?! Oh, that poor bladder… I had no idea. I left training with a whole new appreciation and admiration for what you mamas are experiencing, but I also left in awe of our bodies. Our bodies are fascinating!
This training with Linda couldn’t have come at a better time. Lately I’ve had a influx of expectant women come to my traditional vinyasa classes and although I know a few modifications, “be careful” and “listen to your body” were my go-to lines. Linda specializes in yoga for women’s health and has a wealth of knowledge. A lot of yoga postures are geared toward men, so it was so interesting to learn how to alter traditional yoga poses to make them more accessible during the prenatal and postpartum periods of a woman’s life.
From Friday night through late Sunday afternoon I did nothing but yoga. I felt like I was back in my 200 hour teacher training…but not nearly as sore. There were no planks, chaturangas, core work, or deep backbends. I spent a lot of time in a squat, wide leg fold, or restorative postures with my feet up a wall. It was fantastic!
Although a true prenatal/postpartum class is best for expectant/new moms, I left feeling so much more prepared to welcome mamas to my classes and inspired to learn more. I’m looking forward to offering prenatal/postpartum yoga options to my students.
Come see me, mamas!
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