Owner: Yoga Mama URL:http://ramamama.blogspot.com/ Join Date: Fri, 11 Jan 2008 21:21:03 -0600 Rating:0 Site Description: By day, I'm a stressed out corporate, worker bee and at night I change into a peaceful yoga teacher expecting my first baby. Come share this journey with me. Site statistics:Click here
What did that scale say? 2008-03-13 17:42:16 Stepping on the scale today at my last monthly midwife's appointment (Next time is in two weeks!) brought up fear coupled with curiosity. I knew I must have gained a decent amount since the last appointment. Lately, I've definitely been eating for two, or three, or maybe even four some days ... and I gained about seven or eight pounds since the last weigh in. OMG! I don't want to be all hung up on a number, but at the same time I don't want it to be terribly difficult to get back to my fighting weight after baby.Before the scale revealed my fate, I really thought I would land within the 25 -30 pounds recommended gain. Now it looks as though I'm not giving myself too much room to play with, only having 10 weeks (or less) left. I believe I've read pregnant women gain about a pound every week
Totally random post about my "addiction" 2008-03-16 12:25:24 If you've been reading my posts for a while, you may remember me blogging about my addiction
to 90210 and Friends reruns. And yes, I was a teenager in the 90s.At the beginning of 2008, I set a resolution to watch less (Notice I didn't say completely quit; resolutions are supposed to be realistic.) of these shows which live in infamy in rerun heaven or perhaps it's hell. No matter your perspective, it's shocking to me to think 90210 ended in 2000 - I can't believe it's been eight years! Admittedly, I'm very lame for still enjoying these reruns. But to defend myself, I do TiVo them and watch them as I'm cleaning or doing other things (like I'm blogging now and watching one - sad I know!).Obviously I haven't done so well with my new year's resolution, but maybe a new spinoff of the old favori
Yoga awakens your purpose 2008-03-15 09:22:45 As I posted the other day, I'm reading "A New Earth: Awakening to your life's Purpose" by Eckhart Tolle. I'm about halfway through the book - every time I open it, I am more impressed and in awe of what I'm learning. Thank you so much Oprah for opening the world's eyes to this powerful novel.On page 159 in chapter five, I found this statement:"Spiritual practices that involve the physical body, such as t'ai chi, qigong, and yoga are also increasingly being embraced in the Western world. These practices do not create a separation between body and spirit and are helpful in weakening the pain-body. They will play an important role in the global awakening."Not that I need validation in writing for myself because I've experienced the power of yoga firsthand: it helped me out of depression, out
Another celeb baby is born 2008-03-19 13:53:01 And I digress to my gossip habit of celeb
rities but tie it in with pregnancy ...Halle Berry gave birth to a baby girl on Sunday - I am obviously not keeping up on People.com because I just saw this today! There was an interesting article about Halle Berry's Baby Namewhich was Nahla Ariela Aubry. Apparently Nahla is Arabic for honeybee - cute.I liked Berry's quote in the article. "We didn't have a name picked out until just before we left the hospital. For us it was hard to name the most important person in our life until we met her."I feel the same way about naming our baby-to-be. However, when I say this to others that I can't really decide until I meet the little one, people look at me like I'm CRAZY! Good to know I'm not alone.
One of my music playlists for yoga 2008-03-19 07:01:06 Many of my YMCA yoga students comment about how much they love the music I play in class. I've created a few different mixes (I love the mixed tape! HA!), and last night I dug up one I hadn't played in a bit. A few people said how much they enjoyed it so I thought I'd share it today:Yoga Mama's yoga playlist #1"Silent Morning" - Feng Shui: Music for the Harmonious Spirit"Imagine" - John Lennon, Imagine "Om Prelude" - Daphne Tse, Jala"In the waiting line" - Zero 7, Garden State"Conroy" - Cake"Let Go" - Frou Frou, Garden State"Sweetest Thing (Mahogany Mix)" - Lauryn Hill, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill"I just don't think I'll get over you" - Colin Hay, Garden State"Save me" - Aimee Mann, Magnolia"Remembrance" - Benjy Werthemer, JalaI am missing a couple songs in the middle from a CD my frie
Rock-star parking 2008-03-17 21:11:40 Although it was a gloomy, stormy Monday, I didn't mind because I knew I had a rock-star parking spot waiting for me at work thanks to my little jelly in the belly! People at the office told me I could request parking for expectant mothers, but I just kept forgetting to follow up. I finally remembered to send an e-mail Friday - the contact told me my own personal spot would be ready for me on Monday - even has my name on the sign! It's all mine and is about 15 steps away from the front door. A huge improvement to the parking I typically find at work by the time I arrive at 8:30 a.m.I also saw these two geese walking together tonight as I left work. Thought they were cute...After a week off from teaching yoga due to the wood floors being redone at the YMCA, I returned to the mat. Boy what a
YJ is a great resource for the yogi in you 2008-03-21 19:19:17 Yoga Journal magazine is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in learning more about yoga. I received it as a gift about a year prior to teaching yoga and have had a subscription ever since. It's so cheap considering all the information provided such as suggested sequences, health benefits, meditations, etc.YJ's Web site also is a great receptacle of knowledge for yogis and recently had a redesign and added some new features, such as a new weekly podcast and a sequence builder where you can create a practice with correlating photos of postures. I also love reading blog "Teacher Tells All," by a yoga teacher just starting out who I nominated for an "E" for excellent blog award a while ago.Also on YJ.com is a ton of online newsletters to sign up to receive, and I recommend "My yoga m
Spring Fever! 2008-03-20 17:54:09 Boy, do I have a case of spring fever, especially since the weather is at a perfect 72 degrees in Kansas City today - much warmer than it has been in MONTHS! Of course I had to go to work today, but it was still nice to know spring has officially arrived. (Sadly I think the forecast for this weekend is snow - welcome to the Midwest!)In the latter half of the day, I attended an IABC luncheon/seminar about social media. The speaker was informative and topical, but what really struck me during the event was all the pregnant ladies attending - I swear there were five others plus me. With about 10 eight-top tables, I'm estimating 80 attendees, so 1/15 at the event were expecting. Isn't that crazy? With fashion these days, it's harder to tell if someone is pregnant or not, but I am fairly confi Read more:Spring
, Fever
The power of now will set you free 2008-03-23 09:29:13 "There is no fear of the cycle of birth, life and death for when you stand in the present moment, you are timeless."~Rodney Yee, YJ's Yoga for Relaxation and Meditation dvdArmed with two bags full to the brim with at least twenty pounds of books, I ventured to our local-used bookstore. And yes, probably not smart of me to carry so much weight since I'm almost eight months pregnant, but I'm nesting and need to make room for baby! This must have been the first time I actually sold books at this particular store because they totally jipped me."Your total trade in is $7.50," said the store employee."Uh, so what books aren't you taking?" I inquired."That's for all books..." he replied. In my mind I wanted to FREAK out about how they were taking advantage of the process, but then I reminded myse Read more:power
90210 spin-off details and pregnant alum 2008-03-22 18:12:22 So I can't resist giving an update on the 90210 spin-off I blogged about last week. Apparently the new series writer Rob Thomas (Veronica Mars) said it would be based around a new family from Kansas (where I live!); obviously a parallel to the Walshes from Minnesota. Thomas also said they plan on bringing back one of the original characters but has no idea which one.Perhaps it will be Clare Arnold, aka Kathleen Robertson, who joined the original series during the gang's frosh year at CU (I admit to my pathetic aptitude on the show's history!). Apparently she's expecting her first child - click on her name above to see the revealing bump photo - and may I say she's quite gutsy for wearing that swimsuit, pregnant
or not. Read more:details
Meditation Monday 2008-03-24 17:27:35 Happy Monday
! Many of us returned to the "grind" today and truly dread it; maybe even allow it to ruin Sunday. I catch myself doing this at times, and I like my corporate-day job. But there's something about Monday...Unfortunately, many of us operate as illustrated above in Cathy. We can't seem to stop the tornado of thoughts, questions, worries, doubts, etc. in our minds. So in honor of making the most of Monday (and maybe even Sunday), I've declared my Monday blog posts to be focused on meditation, calling it "Meditation
Monday" - I love alliteration!I found this guided Wayne Dyer meditation. I'm listening to it as I type - let me know what you think.
Thankful Thursday 2008-03-27 07:29:40 Focusing on gratitude is a great way to bring more abundance and joy into life. What better way to reiterate this focus but to blog weekly about it, whether it is my own personal list of gratefulness or the value of being thankful in life. And what better day than Thursday
? Get it? THankful THursday - again, utilizing alliteration. It's a bit cheesy - sue me.What I'm grateful for today:My husband sprucing up our first-floor bathroom. He figured out how to change the light fixture and painted! What a man.A yoga student telling me last night she had an awesome savasana - yay!My healthy baby and all his or her little kicks and wiggles.Our first baby shower today with my work friends at Bravo - I've been looking forward to it all week.Baby 101 class, which helped me feel more prepared and conf Read more:Thankful
Baby 101 2008-03-26 07:47:18 Hubby and I attended our first baby preparation class last night called "Baby 101" since neither of us has much experience with babies. We've both changed one diaper in our LIVES, so we thought this class would be beneficial and ease some of our worries and fears of the unknown.It started at 6:30 p.m. last night, so we met right after work and lasted until 9:30 - a little long if you ask me. Especially if you consider about half of it was filled with videos from 1982, and I'm not over exaggerating the outdatedness. One of the videos even mentioned using a mercury thermometer, which the "live" nurse/teacher said was a big no-no (remember those things?).Within the first ten minutes of the teacher's lecture focusing on the reality of how newborns look, my husband began laughing uncontrollably
Meet my little jicama 2008-03-30 19:04:50 Thirty-two weeks pregnant; can't believe I only have two months before meeting this little
guy or gal... FREAKY! He or she is about 3.75 pounds or as big as a jicama - which is what, you may ask? On ehow.com it said, "It's a strange looking vegetable that appears to be a cross between a coconut and a horseradish root. But it's the size of about a honeydew melon."Not only is the baby gaining weight, but so is Mama! It seems like air has calories these days. Everyone keeps saying it's all in my stomach, however I saw a photo from my first baby shower that made me beg to differ! My face was HUGE like a pumpkin. And I still have two months to go. Even though I haven't gained that much weight, since the pattern is to gain a pound a week from here on out, I'm probably going to gain more than t
Participate in Earth Hour - tonight! 2008-03-29 07:26:33 Tonight at 8 p.m. your time, turn out your lights for one hour!That's right, gather all your candles because Planet Earth
is making a statement about climate change called Earth Hour, created by the World Wildlife Fund. At the Earth Hour Web site, sign up to show you're participating.In the scheme of everything, isn't it worth an hour? Read more:Participate
Reach for your joy 2008-04-01 12:01:34 "When you feel enthusiasm to do something, it means you've lined up the Energy, and you are being inspired to take action from that point of alignment. When you don't feel like doing it, don't push yourself, because your effort is not worth it. But, when you line up the Energy, the feeling of procrastination goes away.""You have been oriented that you must pay a price in order to get somewhere, and in the process, you’ve come to believe that getting there must be really important, therefore, it must be your purpose. And we say, but if you’re not getting to joy, then you’ve gotten nowhere. Joy is really where you’re going."~ Abraham-HicksLately I've been inspired to concentrate on writing beyond my blog and submit articles to various publications, mainly about yoga. One morning Read more:Reach
Meditation Monday - your heart 2008-03-31 07:34:46 "Yoga is the uniting of consciousness in the heart."~Yoga Sutra 1.2"United in the heart, consciousness is steadied, then we abide in our true nature - joy."~ Yoga Sutra 1.3Above are the first two Yoga Sutras, a book of sayings or "threads" that speak to the spirituality of yoga and was written thousands of years ago by yoga sage Patanjali. Currently I'm reading The Secret Power of Yoga, and it speaks about the sutras as they apply today, especially to women. As author Nischala Joy Devi states, these two sutras focus on how "we are all divine" and illustrate who we are both inside and out. She also writes it's "important to remember that you are not the only one who is Divine. Everyone is the same as you, just housed in different containers, shapes and temples, embracing the same essence." Read more:Meditation
, Monday
Thankful Thursdays 2008-04-03 23:05:36 So Thursdays
are my day to give thanks. I'm thankful for:My husband's birthday today and for good friends to enjoy it.Sing Star and Guitar Hero - great entertainment for having friends over.The opportunity to see my parents and friends this weekend and for the baby shower they are throwing me - so excited!Friends who listen to me complain and bitch and still like me afterwards.It almost being Friday.Being able to sleep until 7:30 a.m.Our dog Charlie not jumping on our guests at the door tonight - huge accomplishment!Yoga.My bump being out versus wide.Our baby growing strong and more frisky every day.The present moment.Thank you life! Read more:Thankful
Husbands nest too 2008-04-06 21:57:11 You've probably heard of pregnant women nesting, but my husband is proving it applies to expectant fathers as well. Don't get me wrong... I've had spurts of the nesting instinct; I organized the baby's closet and the items I've been given so far for the little one. However, I think my husband is deep into nesting mode, which kind of makes me feel like a slacker.Via home improvements, hubby has been accomplishing some major feats and getting home ready for baby. A few Thursdays ago I gave thanks for him painting and installing a new lighting fixture in our main floor bathroom. Now this weekend, while I was back home for a baby shower, he tiled our kitchen floor!I believe the whole idea to do this began a few months ago when I told him how I had read about an inexpensive way to change the co Read more:Husbands
Meditation Monday: Put your legs up 2008-04-07 20:52:06 Try meditating this week in legs up the wall pose. If you're pregnant, you may want to be careful lying flat on your back. Personally, and I'm 33 weeks pregnant, I've been able to lie on my back for periods of time. I just make sure to listen to my body and move to my side if anything doesn't feel right. If anything you could prop your self up a bit with pillows to avoid being flat on your back.Shut down your eyes, relax your arms and concentrate on your breath in and out through your nose. Stay for five to 15 minutes (or as long as you're comfortable). If available, use an eye pillow to fully relax.Benefits of the posture (according to www.yogajournal.com): Relieves tired or cramped legs and feetGently stretches the back legs, front torso, and the back of the neckRelieves mild backacheCal Read more:Meditation
, Monday
I'm a super model, kind of 2008-04-09 17:20:39 I never thought I'd have Demi photos taken of me and my burgeoning, bare belly, but I succumbed...As you can see in the "behind-the-scenes" shot, I was treated like a model
, albeit a plus-size model. And look at the magic of PhotoShop - isn't it amazing?Not sure what I'll ever do with these photos besides sharing them on my blog so you can make fun of me; guess baby's book will at least have a few good bump shots.One suggestion for you pregnant ladies thinking of doing this... Take the photos in your seventh month when your face and arms still look thin. I missed that window of opportunity, unfortunately!
Yoga and celebs 2008-04-08 21:10:55 I haven't been feeling so hot the last few days. Not sure if I'm coming down with something or if it's allergy or sinus related, but nonetheless it's annoying. I actually taught my yoga class from a chair the other night because I felt so lethargic and icky. One student arrived late and jokingly whispered, "You're sure taking advantage of the situation..." which really didn't make me laugh, to be quite honest, in my sickly state. I actually wanted to stop teaching yoga last week, but since the Y hasn't found a sub, I extended my teaching until April 26 - sub or no sub since I'll be nine months pregnant by then. I feel bad for the students, but I've given the Y plenty of time to find a replacement for my maternity leave.With the excuse of being sick and extremely pregnant, I'm going to make
Thank you Thursday 2008-04-11 07:41:54 "The thankful receiver bears a plentiful harvest."~ William BlakeGratitude is the key to prosperity and abundance so I dedicate every Thursday
to what I'm grateful for this week. I'm thankful for:Hubby figuring out how to program the garage door openers so we may park in the garage - yippee!Baby's head being down and in the right position for labor.A WONDERFUL baby shower with family and friends this past weekend who were more generous than I deserve. I feel so loved and blessed.My friend Vicki for giving me Nag Champa incense to try.My dad telling me I'm a good writer (probably for the millionth time but I always enjoy hearing it from such a talented writer)!Hubby burning me the Tavis Smiley / Louise Hay interview on CD for me, which was a nice surprise.Oprah and Eckhart Tolle's online cl Read more:Thank
Preparing Dad for Birth 2008-04-12 14:35:13 With our baby's arrival becoming more imminent, I'm growing a little more concerned about the labor and how hubby and I will handle it together. "B" has expressed numerous times how he is nervous about seeing me in so much pain, which I understand. However, I want to make sure he doesn't miss such a miraculous moment in our lives.As I was reading a pregnancy magazine in the doctor's office a few mornings ago (now seeing my midwife every two weeks), I discovered a book to prepare expectant dads for d-day - not like the war, but as in delivery day. Don't Just Stand There: How to Be Helpful, Clued-In, Supportive, Engaged & Relevant in the Delivery Room is the title and received rave reviews on Amazon.com.From the editorial review on Amazon: Dads get clear direction on what to bring, how t
Heart meditation for expectant mamas 2008-04-13 22:10:45 With the encouragement of the book "A New Earth: Awaken to your life's Purpose," I've been concentrating more on the present moment. The key seems to be starting my day with meditation, however I am so lazy when it comes down to it or maybe it's my ego derailing me. Admittedly, a few weeks ago I fell off the wagon. But in the middle of last week I began waking up and immediately going to my meditation mat, even for three minutes. It seems to help my day go more smoothly and picks me up out of the doldrums.I found a simple meditation for expectant mamas.Bring your right hand to your heart and the left to your baby. Inhale and focus on your love and absorb the feelings in your heart. Exhale and focus it towards your growing baby. Continue this conscious breathing and focus for five to 10 min Read more:Heart
Enlighten Up 2008-04-15 09:36:35 Have you ever heard of an idea, such as a book or an invention and ponder, "Why didn't I think of that?"I feel this way about the movie "Enlighten Up." It's a documentary following a guy completely green to yoga to see how it transforms a person in six months. Sounds like it will begin showing this summer in a few theaters. Plus there are so many great yogis and yoginis featured in the movie, such as BKS Iyengar, Baron Baptiste, Rodney Yee and Judith Lasater.Hopefully it will come to Kansas City, but if not I hope Netflix will carry it! Not only for myself, but I'd love to watch it with all my friends and family who think, why is Yoga Mama so crazy about yoga? This might help them understand my passion and the powerful affect yoga has on one's mind, body and spirit.(Thanks "Let it Flow" fo
Explore your sun and moon 2008-04-16 21:11:54 If you're looking for a good source for yoga workouts, go to Hillary's yoga practice.I practiced Podcast #61 - Exploring the Sun and Moon Level 1/2 Class 40 Min weeks ago before my belly sprouted. This practice is probably not suitable for most pregnant ladies, but Hillary leads the class well and has photos of most poses to guide you during the practice.
Yoga for the Second Trimester 2008-04-19 06:26:07 Whether you're in your second trimester or you're a yoga teacher, you should read the Yoga Journal online article "Tools for Teaching Prenatal Yoga: The Second
Trimester."It's written by the author of one of my favorite yoga blogs, Grounding Thru the Sit Bones, and gives clarification on what poses are available and/or modifications (such as backbends against a wall versus on your stomach) during the second trimester of pregnancy.One of the article's suggestions is to begin focusing on pranayama or breath exercises during this trimester to prepare for labor and maybe even utilize during delivery. One such practice is alternate-nostril breathing. Found a short clip on YouTube to demonstrate - it's a little weird at first, but you will feel the calming effects afterwards. Great for opening u
Give the gift of gratitude to Yourself 2008-04-19 05:41:31 "Feeling gratitude
and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it."- William Arthur WardThis is exactly why I have "Thankful Thursdays," although obviously this is Friday but give a pregnant girl a break! Expressing gratitude is the key to receiving even better experiences and joy in your life.After searching "gratitude" on Yoga Journal's Web site, I discovered a wonderful article on various ways to be mindfully thankful and how this practice can alter one's life called "Selfless Gratitude." Here's an excerpt:Practicing mindfulness of gratitude consistently leads to a direct experience of being connected to life and the realization that there is a larger context in which your personal story is unfolding... It also elicits feelings of generosity, which create further joy Read more:Yourself
Meditation for childbirth 2008-04-20 22:25:42 Saturday hubby and I attended an all-day childbirth preparation class. After a difficult day at the office Friday, I must admit I wasn't looking forward to spending half of my weekend indoors in class when I could be wallowing in the past. Luckily I woke up Saturday bright and early and felt better about life and more excited about the class. Plus we prepaid so it would have been stupid not to at least go for the morning portion.About 10 other couples showed up and most were due within the next month (just like me!) or two. During the introductions, we had to share our fears and concerns about the labor and delivery so I said I wasn't really worried about the labor but the hub is so that was the main reason we were there. Sounded like other soon-to-be dads felt the same way in the room.Def Read more:Meditation
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