Remember to do it.

Often and on purpose.

Nothing changes your physiology faster, and its right there under your nose.

Yin Yoga with me every Thursday evening at The Roundhouse from 730-845pm

The Roundhouse is located at 181 Roundhouse Mews at the corner of Davie St @ Pacific Blvd right across the street from the Canada Line skytrain Station (Roundhouse stop)
 Get ready to feel delicious!  604-713-1800 (press 2)

You can click on the image to enlarge (and I hope you do).

This is really worth contemplating. Feel free to share and re-share. I really hope things change one day. I have posted this on both my Facebook pages, Twittered it, and now posted it here.

Are you a new mom who's lacking in the self care department? You sure aren't alone. Not at all!

If you come to any of my Yoga classes you are used to hearing me harp on about Self Care. I mean what's more important really? For ALL of us?

The answer is N-O-T-H-I-N-G.

If you can get to Yoga, by all means...Get to Yoga.

*But what if you are a new mom and are feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, scared, burned out?

Ask-for-help* Just do it!

People really want to help.

Remember your Self Care. We can't fully show up for the rest of our lives, our children, loved ones and community if we don't care for ourselves first!

If you are feeling depressed, isolated, overwhelmed, or are just plain not coping well you are NOT ALONE! (not in the least)! Contact The Pacific Post Partum Support Society at 604-255-7999. For more info you can click HERE

And also Three Bridges has Parent Infant Support groups that have different topics each week, community health nurses, resources... It's a place where you can weigh baby, ask questions, hang with other mom's etc.

Those groups are Wednesdays at the new Robert Lee YMCA at 966 Burrard St. from 130-300 and The Roundhouse holds theirs Thursday mornings from 1030-1200. For more info on The three Bridges Community Health Centre and their Parent/Infant groups call 604-736-9844

Many downtown/Yaletown mom's I know attend the afternoon Robert Lee YMCA parent infant group on Wednesdays, so they can come to Baby and Me Yoga on Thursdays at The Roundhouse. For more info on the Roundhouse click here or call 604-713-1800.

**Then they get to enjoy both, on two different days! Getting out is just so very important.

I also have Baby and Me Yoga Monday mornings from 1045-1200 at Mount Pleasant CC. For more info on Mt.Pleasant click here or call 604-257-3080

Anyways, I've gotta run! Wanted to share these little tips for new mom's I came across courtesy of Dr.Lois Nightingale. Take care of yourself. Nobody else is going to do it for ya.

And besides...the world needs us!

Seven 5 Minute Tips to Help New Mothers Relax and Rejuvenate

by Dr. Lois Nightingale

Sometimes 5 minutes at a time is all new mothers can find in their busy days. When the baby is sleepy or older kids are briefly entertained. These can be thought of as "mini vacations" that you can return from more relaxed and ready to take care of the tasks you have committed to:

1. Focus on you breath. Breathe in and feel how cool and dry the air is as compared to warmer moister air as you exhale. Breathe deeply filling your lungs from the bottom up. Let your abdomen move as you breathe. As you breathe in, say silently "re" and as you exhale "lax". Say silently to yourself "re-lax" as you breathe deeply.

2. Sit quietly and comfortably and close your eyes. After taking 5 deep cleansing breaths, bring your attention to noises, smells and feelings around you. What can you hear, smell and feel? Pay attention to detail, subtle sensory stimuli and what you might not usually notice, when your mind wonders, gently bring it back to something you hear, smell or feel.

3. Spend 5 minutes, just noticing without judgment If you notice undone housework, clothes on the floor, your fatigue, just notice that it is so. Do not use "should", "would", "could", "ought" or any other derogatory statements about yourself or others. Detach yourself from the emotional judgment about your environment and those around you. Begin bringing this perspective into the rest of your day.

4. Walk outdoors. Notice how nature works effortlessly, without worry or anxiety. Notice the colors, movement, and temperature, breathe in the fresh air. Exhale completely. Be fully present. Watering, gardening, watching clouds, playing with pets or just watching leaves blow in the breeze creates tranquillity.

5. Spend 5 minutes each night writing down things that you accomplished, giving yourself credit. These may be "small" in comparison to "life before the baby", but now take effort, focus and forethought. Give yourself credit for healthy food you've eaten, quality time you spent with your baby and other family members, and relaxation time you have taken out during your day.

6. Have a lovely fragrant lotion (the more "decadent" the better) to give yourself a 5 minute hand or foot massage, feel the softness, smell the fragrance, bring your attention to the muscles relaxing as you massage the lotion into your skin.

7. When driving, listen to positive self-confidence building tapes or CD's. Feed yourself emotionally by what you listen to. Avoid angry and hostile talk shows or personal acquaintances. Notice if what you are listening to builds you up or tears you or someone else down. Surround yourself with positive growing people who encourage you.

yoga is our natural state.

You cannot do yoga. Yoga is your natural state. What you can do are yoga exercises, which may reveal to you where you are resisting your natural state. ~Sharon Gannon

Out of clutter, find simplicity-Albert Einstein

Practicing yoga balances the entire nervous system

I love that yoga both energizes and relaxes the body simultaneously. Both sides of the brain get a work out too. Thats why we always practice asanas on both sides. Yoga helps us to realign and rebalance on all levels. When our bodies are better balanced our stress is much lower and the likelihood of getting injured drops as we are in a much more attuned state.