Welcome back to “Empowered Through the Process,” a weekly newsletter dedicated to supporting you on your journey through motherhood.
With the belief that “Knowledge is Power” and that Power can translate to Empowerment, each Saturday, you can expect a new topic from me accompanied by two weekly recommendations: Something to Learn & Something to Share
Today, we discuss Pregnancy, the second “P” in “The Bodies for Birth® 6 P’s.”
As always, my work stems from love and this newsletter is no different. May this bring a bit of knowledge, inspiration and empowerment into your day!
“To be pregnant is to be vitally alive, thoroughly woman, and distressingly inhabited. Soul and spirit are stretched ‒ along with body ‒ making pregnancy a time of transition, growth, and profound beginnings.” ‒ Anne Christian Buchanan
| Pregnancy, the second “P” in “The Bodies for Birth® 6 P’s” |
Pregnancy is most frequently where our journey begins together.
Pregnancy—the 2nd P on the wheel–a time where we once again realize, how little Power we have over the changes that come along with the Process—the heartburn and stretch marks, the growing belly and erratic emotions.
A time where anyone and everyone shares unsolicited advice, general remarks and when some even reach out and touch pregnant bellies without permission, leaving us feeling violated and powerless.
While Pregnancy can be full of excitement and joy, it can also be an overwhelming time, one fraught with anxiety, anticipation, fear of the unknown and more.
Bodies for Birth® aims not to replace these uncomfortable emotions, but to help people recognize them, to allow for them to be shared and heard, to provide confidential, non-judgmental, compassionate space for it all. Sometimes this happens between classmates in the group setting, often in 1:1 sessions, but independent of setting, the underlying theme is unconditional positive regard and respect for each individual as they move through this life-changing journey.
Expecting Fit is where much of the magic happens for our community. This is where friendships are forged, strength is amplified and education is shared. Pregnancy is an ideal time for all of this as the pregnant person may be more motivated to engage in health promoting behaviors and more receptive to education for not only her health, but for baby’s as well. It’s time where the shared experiences of pregnancy can help to forge bonds between strangers that can last well into motherhood.
It’s a time where we can surprise ourselves with a deep well of physical and mental strength that fuels us despite an ever changing landscape of mind and body.
At Bodies for Birth®, we go far beyond the exercises. The exercise, while vital, is simply a vehicle toward greater enlightenment. It’s a means of freeing up the fear, anxiety, tension and overwhelm. It’s the path to greater self-awareness.
In Pregnancy, through mindfulness based training, we cultivate an inner sense of well-being and calm. A deep knowing evolves. A sense of trust in your inner wisdom despite living in an ever changing body takes hold. This practice and way of being allows you a greater capacity not only to survive, but to happily thrive in pregnancy mentally, emotionally and physically.
I have the privilege of witnessing individuals as they gain physical and mental strength, tackling the unexpected with resilience and grace. I get to “mother the mother”, to bear witness to this evolution as they experience their wild ride. For this, I am forever humbled and grateful.
And, it is also why I am SO excited to be offering Expecting Fit once again. We will be Live and In-Person in February…and if everything goes as planned, Live & Virtual this month!
All of the A/V equipment is on the way and I’m working out the details, so please stay tuned! Rest assured, I aim to bring the in-person feel to the virtual setting! One of the ways I will facilitate this is to allow for a 15 minute window for “class chatter” and community building prior to the start of each session. Otherwise, the virtual sessions will be very similar to the in-person sessions with modifications for equipment etc. Be on the lookout for registration info to come soon and please feel free to reach out with questions.
So, are you ready to feel empowered, calm, clear and strong? Are you ready to be a zen-like pregnant goddess? If so, take a journey with me during pregnancy to train your mind and body for this transformative time. Amaze yourself as you emerge calmer and stronger than you ever thought possible. I’ve got you.
Remember, each proactive step you take in Pregnancy helps to set you and baby up for a health-filled and strength-fueled pregnancy experience!
Resources, Resources, Resources!
Providing excellent Resourcesand Referrals is a huge part of what I do at Bodies for Birth®. Below, in “Something to Learn,” you will find one of my favorites, “Evidence Based Birth”–a Resource dedicated to helping people make informed, empowered decisions when it comes to birth. You will find loads of tools to empower from articles to podcasts and childbirth prep classes.
And, in “Something to Share,” you will find a link to the Bodies for Birth® Resources page. This collection of Resources was (and continues to be) a labor or love. Clicking on the triple dash icon on the left hand side reveals a lengthy table of contents for your browsing purposes. If there’s a Resource that you cannot find, please let me know and I will do my best to help! And, if you have a Resource or Referral that you think I should know about, please let me know!
I realize that too many Resources or not the right type/format of Resources can be overwhelming, so take it at your own pace! You can always come back to it later.
Our Signature Prenatal Class, Expecting Fit will be offered LIVE and IN-PERSON at the beautiful Harbor Square Athletic Club in Edmonds, WA beginning on Thursday, February 8th from 4:15 PM-5:15 PM. This 8-week series will run from February 8-March 28th and will be absolutely packed with goodness!
All fitness levels are welcome and encouraged to join us in learning how to exercise safely and effectively throughout pregnancy. This is your one-stop-shop for gaining mental and physical strength within a loving, empowering community!
