WHAT IS HOLISTIC PELVIC CAREā¢? The primary goal of Holistic Pelvic CareĀ (HPC) is to empower a woman to inhabit her pelvic space and occupy her feminine ground physically, energetically, emotionally and spiritually. HPC is a technique consisting of physical and energetic tools designed to evaluate and restore balance in the pelvic space of the female body. Holistic Pelvic Care is for women of all ages (18 and older) to address pelvic symptoms or enhance general wellness. It was developed by …
Physical Therapy in the Perinatal Time: Guest Contributor, Aimee Lake, DPT
Physical therapy can be very helpful for maintaining a healthy level of physical activity during pregnancy. It can be helpful for managing and solving some of the physical challenges of pregnancy. It can also be a great resource for preparing for birth and post partum recovery. People often think of physical therapy in terms of getting rid of pain or the rehab thatās needed after a surgery. But as a Womenās Health physical therapist, I like to think of my …
What Foods Breastfeeding Mothers Need to Eat from Guest Contributor: Natalie Michele
The foods you pick while you breastfeed is just as important as your selections during pregnancy. There are certain foods, herbs, or supplements ā called galactagogues – that can help your breastmilk supply. On the other hand, there are other foods that should be avoided because they can decrease your breastmilk supply. Breastfeeding mothers are going to experience more cravings. I have found my cravings increase at night when my babies tend to nurse more. Breastmilk is thicker in the …
Mindset of Health for New Moms: Video from Guest Contributor, Dr. Kelly Morrow-Baez, aka The FitShrink
In working with women throughout the perinatal time, I have begun to notice a common theme. I work with lots of postpartum moms from a few weeks postpartum to a few years. Ā Typical goals include weight loss, making time for self-care, getting stronger, regaining core connection, getting healthy (-ier) Ā prior to trying for baby number two, concerns with how to beat cravings, how to enjoy and incorporate a healthy diet again etc. There is a very common theme that I …
Carley’s Birth Story: Welcome, Finnegan!
I am one of the lucky ones. Ā I had such a great birth experience. Ā Moms-to-be out there will probably agree that it’s crazy how many horror stories you hear once people learn you’re pregnant. Ā As if there isn’t enough anxiety around giving birth for the first time! Ā Well – spoiler alert, my experience was amazing and I only hope to be lucky enough to do it all over again. It was a Thursday morning, around 6:30 a.m. and I was …
Motherhood and Self-Care Are Not Mutually Exclusive
Iāve been thinking a lot about self-care and what that means as I prepare for an upcoming presentation for a group of mothers. Ā Motherhood and self-care can feel mutually exclusive at times, so Iāve been digging deep into this topic.Ā I looked at a whole bunch of definitions of self-care and none of them really worked for me; none of them truly embodied my perspective on self-care. Ā So Iāve defined it for my use, for our use if it resonates …
Why Parenting is Yoga for the Soul (and the Title I Didnāt Choose)
I had initially entitled this article āWhy Parenting is the Ultimate…Mind-F#@!ā Ā but it felt too harsh. Ā It felt angry and maybe even a little sad. Ā Iām neither of those things, but I am changed from and changing through parenthood. Ā And, this article is an attempt to capture the always present dichotomies of life as a parent, which in the happiest way, can feel like a āMind-F#@!ā sometimes. Or at least it does for me. Ā As a parent, you …
Why is Postpartum Training Important?
So, youāve had your baby.Ā Youāre feeling up to exercise, but you donāt quite know what you should and shouldnāt be doing when it comes down to it.Ā You know certain areas of your body have been affected, but how do you know what to strengthen, what to stretch, and what to focus on? As a Pre & Postnatal Specialist, I prefer new moms to return to an exercise class that is designed specifically for themĀ before returning to mainstream classes. …
“How Do I Get My Body Back?”
I completely understand wanting to get back into skinny jeans and flattering clothing! I am here to here to help you get there! All the while, I vow to support you as you practice loving a body that has changed, one that has done a tremendous amount of work and that is beautiful just as it is. I came across this recently and loved it. It starts with us; with each one of us. Ā With our internal dialogue and with …
Why aren’t sit-ups safe after birth?
Iām going to start by saying that the Fitness Industry, like many other industries, is an ever-changing one. Itās full of trends. Exercises come in and out of fashion, research is done to prove exercises safe or unsafe, and as Fitness Professionals, we listen and make changes to our program content accordingly. Sit-ups, or any variation of this movement where you go into forward flexion ie: when lying on your back, you bring your torso towards your knees to work …