Namaste and Welcome!
Rediscover the dance of pregnancy while embracing the ever changing flow of your body. 
Reconnect with the ancient roots of mother earth and the ability to birth naturally
 through the energy of yoga. Learn to listen to your body and your baby 
as you blossom on this journey of pregnancy.
*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * 
 The benefits of prenatal yoga are endless. In addition to physically preparing your body as
 it moves through all of the new changes to come, prenatal yoga connects you mentally 
and emotionally to your growing baby. It allows for inward reflection and 
ultimately helps you prepare for birth on a holistic level.

Yoga During Pregnancy
*Increases overall strength, flexibility & well-being — When you practice yoga, you are not only stretching your muscles, you are stretching the tissues that encase your muscles, stimulating your organ systems, promoting the circulation of blood and oxygen, breathing more intentionally, and focusing your attention inward through imagery and meditation. The combined effect is intended to be one that promotes a heightened 
state of physical and emotional well-being.
*Reduces low back pain & sciatica — As you become acutely aware of proper body alignment, you can carry yourself and your belly in an integrated manner. This can help to reduce the degree of pelvic tilt associated with pregnancy and significantly reduce the lower back pain which it can cause. Additionally, there are specific yoga poses which stretch the muscles and tissues associated with the lower back, hips, and hamstrings. Your instructor should make these poses a part of each class.
*Reduces aches & fatigue in the thoracic & cervical regions of the spine — During pregnancy, it can be 
difficult to find a space for yourself when trying to sleep. As a result, spinal alignment can become 
compromised. Certain yoga poses create more fluidity in the spine by stretching 
the para spinal muscles.
*Reduces swelling & inflammation around your joints — A regular and consistent asana practice improves 
and promotes the circulation of blood and oxygen throughout your body. This, in turn, can reduce 
swelling and inflammation around ankles and wrists.
*Aids in digestion — As baby grows, your intestinal organs get pushed around, which may affect your regularity and cause indigestion. Safe and gentle rotations and forward folds can help to promote regularity 
and aid in overall digestive flow.
*Helps prepare you physically for giving birth — A regular practice of squatting asana helps to tone muscles of your pelvic floor and helps you gain strength to remain comfortable in a squatting position. This is an integral part of any yoga program as it helps to familiarize you with these very useful muscles. Even if you choose 
not to squat during labor, you will want to be able to use these muscles efficiently and effectively 
when nature calls upon you to push your baby into the world.
*Improves emotional well-being — Participating in a group prenatal class provides a community of support from new friends who understand what you are experiencing. Some programs may even include discussions about pregnancy-related topics such as doulas, nursing, and birth plans.
 
Help During Labor
*Regardless of whether you are looking forward to a drug assisted birth or planning for a natural delivery, regular participation in a prenatal yoga program can reduce labor-associated 
anxiety by helping you tap into your own labor tools.
*Soothe & empower yourself by finding your own inner rhythm — You can learn to breathe in a way that is relaxing and natural, rather than contrived or awkward. When you consistently practice moving your
 body in a rhythmic fashion in unison with your breath, you carry with you a powerful 
relaxation and pain management tool.
*Facilitate the labor process — Through yoga, you can learn how to identify when you are holding to tension in your body. A body that is tense is not going to facilitate the birth process as easily as one that is relaxed. Moreover, when the body is tense, you may experience tension in thought and a withholding of breath.
*Improve your physical comfort — If you are hoping for a natural birth, it can be helpful to have an idea 
of how you can position your body to help you during contractions and during relaxation. Many
 yoga poses can translate wonderfully into comfortable laboring positions.
*Learn to use the tools of meditation & visual imagery — When it comes time to ride through the most powerful of contractions, visual imagery combined with breath work can be one of the most useful labor tools.
*Learn to use the tools of meditation & visual imagery — When it comes time to ride through the most powerful of contractions, visual imagery combined with breath work can be one of the most useful labor tools.
*Become familiar with the concept of vocalization — Labor is no time to be shy. It is the rare woman who 
births naturally and does not make a lot of noise in the process. If your yoga class includes chanting, you 
have an opportunity to become comfortable with the inherent power of vocalization.
 After all, “Om” is the birth sound!
*Use the muscles of your pelvic floor effectively — The weeks of squatting were not done in vain! Squatting combined with a kegel-like movement during pregnancy really can help your labor in two ways. If you 
receive an epidural, you may lose sensation in your pelvic floor which can make pushing your 
baby out a bit of a guessing game.
*If you are used to working with these muscles, you will find it easier to use them even if you cannot feel them. Alternatively, if you are opting for a natural birth, you will want these muscles to work quickly and 
effectively when it comes time to push. 
About Me
My experience with yoga began about 10 years ago when I took my first yoga class in the Kundalini style. Yoga has continued to follow me throughout my life ever since. I am YTT (yoga teacher trained) certified in traditional hatha yoga through Rizzieri Aveda School for Beauty and Wellness in Marlton, NJ. While in school,I received 250 hours of formal training in asana, breathwork, meditation and energy. I also hold certifications in level 1 Ayurvedic Thai Bodywork and levels 1, 2 and 3 in Usui Reiki. Since my graduation from Rizzieri in August 2004, I have taught numerous classes throughout New Jersey, Hawaii and Arizona. I taught my first prenatal yoga class at The Yoga Studio while living in New Jersey and have been in love with pregnant women ever since! I found myself immediately drawn and connected to the whole journey of pregnancy.
I am currently in the process of completing 
my doula certification through Childbirth 
International. Becoming a doula will continue to inspire my love and passion for the natural birthing process. I believe that a doula can be a wonderful presence to help facilitate and further enrich a woman's experience during her pregnancy, labor/birth and postpartum period. To me, pregnancy and birth are such unique times for self-reflection, discovery 
and growth. It is a time unlike any other throughout one's life and one to be cherished. I look forward to seeing what life has yet to 
unfold before me!
*Attention Pregnant Women!*
I have just about finished my doula training program. The only thing I have left to do to complete my certification is to attend 2 births by July '09. If you or anyone you know is pregnant in the Sedona area and is willing to have a doula-in-training share their birth experience, please contact me. Many Blessings!
Birth is a natural process that each woman has the right to experience. From the
beginning, we have supported one another during this time. As mothers, midwives, friends and doulas,
we have encouraged each other to trust our bodies inherent ability to give birth. Unfortunately, modern
society ultimately has taught us to suppress that instinct. We can learn to take back the power within our
bodies and believe in our body's ability to create this most beautiful thing that the world has to offer...
new life