Postpartum Research Review from Bastyr Student

Shelley, the author of the research review below, recently completed her 40 hour practicum at Bodies for Birth and has now officially graduated from Bastyr with a degree in Nutrition and Exercise Science! Ā Shelley set out to learn more about what the current research says about exercise for the postpartum population and has summarized her findings. Read her research review here and more about Shelley and her experience as a student at Bodies for Birth below: Research Reviewed:Ā Postpartum Womenā€™s Perspectives …

Featured Mama: Sarah S

Our journeys to and through motherhood are so completely unique and thereā€™s much to be gained from sharing our stories. Ā With the Featured Mama Edition of our blog, we aim to highlight the power, strength and wisdom within our very own community! We are strong mamas, we are smart mamas! Ā Letā€™s embrace one another with love and support. INTRODUCING, SARAH S! Tell us a bit about yourself: Iā€™m a 39 year old working Mom. I’m currently on maternity leave from …

Featured Mama: “E”

In today’s “Featured Mama” edition, E shares her powerful story and insight for staying flexible when things don’t go as planned! Ā E’s motivation to stay strong helped to facilitate healing and an efficient return to the higher intensity level of fitness that she’s accustomed to in her life. Ā All the effort in pregnancy paid off! As always, we are strong mamas, we are smart mamas!Ā  We embrace one another with love and support.Ā  Thank you, E, Ā for sharing your story …

Featured Mama: Emily Tennison

Oh my goodness, you do not want to miss Emily’s story!  Read on to hear how she surmounted some major obstacles on her way to achieving a strong, empowered birth experience and entry into motherhood!  We are strong mamas, we are smart mamas!  We embrace one another with love and support.  Thank you, Emily for sharing your story and wisdom with us all!  We Love You! Tell us a bit about yourself: I’m a stay at home mom with my now …

How Does Mom & Baby Gym Work?!

How Does Mom & Baby Gym Work?! Here are the nuts and bolts: Mom & Baby Open Gym (MBG) runs fromĀ 11 AM -1 PMĀ on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Ā During this time, attendees arrive on their own schedule (with the last entry atĀ 12:30 PM) to participate in a postpartum specific circuit. There are six stations set out in the group class space-each one has all the equipment needed to complete the workout. Each station also has a postpartum circuit on a …

Top 4 Things to Consider When Choosing a Maternity Fitness Program

Congratulations!Ā Ā You probably just found out you are going to be mom for the first (or fourth!) time.Ā Ā Perhaps you learned during your last pregnancy that you should have stayed more active? Perhaps youā€™re an athlete looking to safely continue your fitness routine? Either way, you have come to the right place!Ā  One only has to ā€œgoogleā€ maternity and fitness to know there are a lot of choices in the Greater Seattle Area.Ā Ā While there is no doubt studies have shown you CAN …

Reiki for Mamas: A Guest Post by Stephanie Hunter-Dines

As I sit here writing to you on this stormy night in Seattle I am giddy I get to share my story about Reiki. I have the honor of expressing to you how this beautiful practice has changed my life. The wonderful thing about Reiki is that it touches everyone differently. Everyone will have a different Reiki story. Each person who chooses to explore this magical mode of self-care will experience something entirely unique. That is why Iā€™m grateful that …

PNA Parent Spotlight: Maura Shirey

I had the wonderful opportunity to be interviewed for a Parent Spotlight feature for my son, Will’s pre-school recently. Ā This is our third year attending the Phinney Neighborhood Co-Op Preschool and we have found such joy, such community and such fun through our experiences. Ā Ā  It’s an honor to be alongside Will in the classroom and to witness friendships evolve, to watch parent-teacher-kiddo dynamics, the skills, struggles and triumphs! I feel loved and supported within the community from parents and …

Catherine Cram’s Review of Bodies for Birth

We recently had the amazing opportunity to host Catherine Cram for a full day of in-person, hands-on training at Bodies for Birth. Ā What a wonderful day it was. For those of you who don’t know Catherine, she is one of, if not THE nation’s leading expert in Maternal Fitness and co-authored the book “Exercising Through Your Pregnancy” with Dr. James F. Clapp III MD. Ā My well-worn copy has served as my perinatal fitness “Bible” over the past four years and …

My take on prenatal vitamins + supplements, A Guest Post from Emily Tennison of Healing Corner

Pregnancy is such a special time. For me, it was also crazy-making: not feeling great between weeks 6-12, dealing with weird food aversions (red peppers!) and worrying about eating correctly while warding off cravings was a lot to handle. Doing the best I could nutritionally, while safeguarding with vitamins and supplements, helped ease my anxiety. I truly believe it helped grant me the healthy baby boy that I have today. Here are the supplements that I enjoyed while pregnant as …