Whether you’re birthing a baby or a new project, at some point, you need to let go, and trust. Trust that you’ve prepared enough and that you’re well taken care of. Otherwise, it’s impossible to be fully present for whatever arises. I knew that in order to birth this project successfully, I’d need support.

It’s important to minimize stress during pregnancy to reduce the risk of negative health conditions for your child.

Daily movement keeps mama feeling well and baby developing optimally. Open hips and shoulders while reducing stress and anxiety.

DSNYC sits down with Blair Silverman of Integrative Wellness Solutions to discuss nutrition during the early postnatal period. We discuss Ayurveda and the foods the best support c-section recovery as well as breastfeeding. A woman needs to be kind and patient with herself while making healthy and mindful choices for her family. Ultimately, when a woman is willing to give herself time to heal, a compassionate and benevolent mental state augments her recovery.

Listening is an art. Learning to listen is a mother’s responsibility. A regular meditation provides a sturdy foundation on which a mother learns to listen, to herself and to her child.  Meditation is a loving pathway to knowing the Self intimately.  Meditation is succor for a laboring mamma.

Breath practices are an essential aspect of the yoga practice and are particularly helpful to a woman throughout the birth process. Using the breath as a focal point is an effective way to steady the mind.  Breath techniques literally create space on a physical level.  Ultimately, creating space in the body creates space in the mind. Learn about the best practices for pregnancy, postnatal healing and motherhood.

During pregnancy when there’s so much to think about and planning to do, it’s challenging to stay present. Yoga is an ideal way for a mamma to take control of her body and her mind. Prenatal yoga provides anxiety relief. It also helps her confidently prepare for labor and birth.

Quiet, sacred alone time is necessary for every mother. A home yoga practice affords a mamma time for herself. At first, no props are needed. You have only to clear space in your home, in your day and in your mind. Come to class to explore various movements and poses. Then, when practicing at home, as in labor, trust your body to tell you what you need, when you need. In time, add props to expand your practice and breath practices to quiet the busy mind. Like a newborn, a home practice needs attention and care. With steady dedication, it grows. Nurture it, and it will nurture you.

Oxytocin is the hormone mainly responsible for contractions during labor and bonding. Oxytocin is even found in breast milk. Studies show that a nursing mother is often calm and relaxed. Pitocin, on the other hand, is a synthetic form of oxytocin that doesn’t offer all of the benefits of its natural counterpart. It’s important to understand the distinction between oxytocin and pitocin, and to discuss it with your doctor, during your pregnancy, before labor even begins.

Yoga cultivates deep trust. This inward journey helps a pregnant woman manage external factors and changing conditions with grace and ease. By cultivating equanimity, she learns to trust nature and herself.  Yoga helps a woman train her mind and calm her brain.  By cultivating equanimity, she learns to trust nature and herself.

The third limb of yoga, asana, may be the most familiar to us. Asana are shapes, postures or poses. Asana benefits a woman physically, mentally and emotionally as she prepares her body, mind and soul for the challenges of labor, birth and motherhood. A regular and consistent practice of asana helps a woman feel well and confident, and makes a positive impact on the birth of her family.