I once read somewhere that a child laughs 300X per day and an adult laughs 15 times per day.
Whether the numbers are true or not there is always room for more laughter in all of our lives! This baby reminds me of a very sweet little fellow named Zak who comes to one of my baby and me yoga classes. He was laughing like this non-stop, and for so long the other day that my cheeks and jaw hurt before the classeven started! (and he is much younger than the baby in this video ) Ahh..blissful, magical, pure and completely unconditioned babies.♥
I learn a lot having these wonderful little humans in my life on such a regular basis and am so grateful.
It's from Thursday Sept 30-Sun Oct 3 and it does not disappoint!
It's truly fabulous.
And in my opinion? It's the best thing to happen in Vancouver all year long! (of course I am biased!) And if you are into Pilates there is loads of Pilates stuff too. (did a workshop with Margot McKinnon last year that was incredible and she's there again this year)
$15 buys your 3 day show admission (from Friday-Sunday) and that includes everything that happens on the show floor. That includes 37 floor yoga garden classes and your admission to over 100 exhibits, demonstrations, live entertainment, and the list goes on.
As for me? I am pretty much booked up with workshops the entire time and love every second of it!
You can study or just practice (take classes) with some of the greatest! (I'm talking Seane Corne, Sadie Nardini, Martin Kirk, Maria Garre...and our very own Lou Lynn for kid's yoga)!
I even did workshops with Rodney Yee last year!
Lectures, classes, immersions, literally whatever turns you on yoga-wise. Whether you are a newbie or a seasoned yogi you will love it. Those classes are priced separately and if you register before the 28th are a steal at $19.99 per hr.
I love this Conference and wait all year for it. I cancel my classes for the entire 4 days, months in advance (and thats a big deal as I am not one to even sub my classes if I can help it).
I literally camp out the entire 4 days and soak up as much of it as I can.
If you couldn't make it for some reason but were interested in deepening your practice at any other point during the year, luckily we have some wonderful yoga studios throughout town that do a wonderful job in bringing in some master teachers from all over.
A doula is an assistant who provides non-medical and non-midwifery support (physical and emotional) in childbirth. Depending on training and experience she may offer prenatal support, childbirth (birth doula) and/or postpartum. A labor doula may attend a home birth or during labor at home and in transport to a hospital or a birth center. A postpartum doula provides home care for the first six weeks (or longer in cases of postpartum depression) including cooking, breastfeeding support, newborn care assistance, errands and light housekeeping.
The Wikipedia definition sort of implies that a Doula only attends home births which is completely untrue. (at least here in Canada) Thank goodness! I have attended a great many wonderful hospital births as a Doula in the past right along with every other Birth Doula in this city. Doulas are welcome with open arms in hospitals (at least I always was).
Most people do deliver in hospital in fact. Sadly some people have a great fear about delivering in hospital, but I can assure you that you have a great many birth choices in hospital (it's your birth after all, and you aren't ill you're having a baby)! And in hospital you can do a lot to set the mood for your birth as well ♥.
*You really can. It is your birth experience and nobody elses.
This isn't a commercial for hospital births but you may wind up birthing in a hospital whether you plan to or not.
When I speak like this in a room full of pregnant women there is the occasional look of terror. But everything is ok. It really is. Remember what Buddha said. Non attachment. Non attachment is the best thing to practice when making a birth plan/thinking about your birth plan etc. (I highly recommend making a birth-plan even if it is only for yourself)
Because it requires you to research and think about decisions that may come up.
Hospitals aren't the bad and nasty places they have sometimes been made out to be. In my opinion anyways. I'm sure glad they are there! (I've been in the trauma unit fighting for my life before so maybe I am biased) Know your choices. Be informed. Take the tour. Ask questions. How your birth is going to unfold may not be up to you, but so many other things are. It is up to you who you have there with you supporting you. In Canada we can choose our own caregiver...we are so lucky. But the big thing is being informed.
There truly is no such thing a a dumb question when you are expecting.
I have been to some very magical births in hospital (all births are). Beautiful wonderful empowering births, difficult and challenging and complicated births...what can you say about childbirth really? Each one is different. Different and unpredictable. Every single one. But one thing is certain... every single one is just such a honour to be at. Such a magical incredible otherworldly, highest energy experience imaginable. On the one hand biological and on the other it's...well there just aren't even words really.
But home births, hospital births, water births, even c-section "births" (they are still births)! are just truly so miraculous, I will never get over it. I was seriously choked up yesterday at my first Roundhouse Baby & Me yoga class of the summer as the room was packed full of mom's who previously were in my prenatal class. Meeting their babies for the first time, and looking at them and watching them, witnessing their mothering... Just watching their whole transition to motherhood really (gulp) gets me every time, and for as long as I do this I know it will. They are soooo beautiful.
Anyways, I could go on about this forever!! (but I won't! I've gotta fly!)
I just wanted to a pass this clip along that a girlfriend Tara sent me yesterday. It's short, but it took me on a trip down memory lane remembering my days as a Doula, and I wanted to put the Doula bug in your ear!
If you are expecting, do yourself (and your partner) a HUGE favour and have a Doula. People who have had Doulas would not again give birth without one. This city is crawling with them. Ask for recommendations from your friends, your Midwife/Caregiver and meet a few of them. You WILL find the right Doula for you.
And remember that a Doula supports "you" and "your birth experience." You and your partner. Totally.
It is all about you baby! And you have lot's of choices! *remember that*!
Oh, and many Doulas's are very affordable. As well, there are many Doulas who are just starting out looking for births to attend. And they're free!! (I attended lot's of free births and so does everybody else)
Get informed, practice yoga and have a Doula at your birth and you'll be laughing!
Well, I'm outta here for now!
It's another scorcher, enjoy, keep cool & hydrated and have fun!
It seems so simple because it really is. It's always there with us, it's free, it's portable, and it really can turn your entire day around. Next time you are stressed turn to your breath and let go. ahhhh....
