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The Doula Guide to Birth – Book of the Month

Posted June 30th, 2009 | 2 Comments » | Bookmark and Share

Pregnant Mamas – Read this Book!

 

I’m adding to my list of favorite books to suggest in pregnancy.   Boston resident (and friend of mine) Ananda Lowe has written a FANTASTIC book all about what you need to know to give birth in the US today.  

 

It’s called “The Doula Guide to Birth: Secrets Every Pregnant Woman Should Know”  and it’s chock full of helpful tips from Ananda’s years as a doula, prenatal massage therapist, and employee at ALACE (I took her job at ALACE when she left in 2003, and learned much of what I know about pregnancy, birth and postpartum while working there). 

 

I like this book because it’s very open to all the possibilities of what someone may want in their birth.   I don’t think this book leaves anyone out – she speaks to single moms, lesbian moms, twin moms, and the dads/partners of said moms.  

 

A student of mine mentioned that she thought the book pushed the idea of getting a doula a little too much.   I’m such a fan of having a doula that I didn’t notice that at all, but I guess someone who knows they do not want a doula might experience that as well.  However, even if you know you don’t want a doula, I found information in this book that is hard to find written about anywhere else, so I still think it’s a great read.

 

Enjoy!

 

Barrett

Posted under Book Review, Local Interest, Postnatal Information, Prenatal Information

Under the Weather

Posted June 29th, 2009 | Leave a comment » | Bookmark and Share

I have a tickle in my throat, which is a first sign to me that my immune system is a little under the weather.   No small wonder given the lousiness of this June in Boston.

 

What am I going to do yoga-wise?

 

It’s interesting because I’ve been in a bit of a rut the last few weeks, including with yoga.   Nothing’s really wrong, but nothing’s super awesome either, know what I mean?  I’m noticing that my impulse is to try a strong yoga practice, because I haven’t had one in several days (my mom was visiting and I haven’t done my own yoga practice since Thursday).

 

However, I think it will be better for me to practice gentler yoga today.   I won’t practice vigorous Sun Salutes, with lots of up and down motions of the head, nor will I practice many inversions, even though these are often my favorite.  Instead, I think I’ll spend a lot of time on all fours, sitting and lying down instead.  

 

And that might just help me re-dedicate myself to some more in-depth yoga in a few days 🙂  

 

Here’s to more sunshine soon,

 

Barrett 

Posted under Yoga

K.I.S.S.

Posted June 8th, 2009 | Leave a comment » | Bookmark and Share

Keep It Simple Sweetie!

We laughed a lot getting ready for our first foray into backpacking – boy, for going back to nature, you sure do need a lot of expensive stuff!

It was so interesting for me to literally carry my world on my back for 4 days. It made me realize that we really don’t need much. I could have used more yoga, and a better place to do it than in the dirt and rocks, but otherwise, I was ok.

When we got to Moab, it was heavenly to take a shower and to sleep on a bed (my old back injury was starting to get a little cranky), things that day by day, I definitely take for granted.

But there were some things I absolutely didn’t miss – my email and cellphone!!!

I don’t think I’ve gone so long without checking either one since the advent of their existence! I’ve always been someone who, even on vacation, will stop by the local internet café, if it’s convenient, and check in on my life for a few minutes. I felt like these ways to communicate kept me in touch with my regular life, even if I was on vacation from it.

Well, there was no internet café in Canyonlands National Park, and surprisingly, even when I got to Moab, ensconced in a beautiful little cottage, I had no desire to turn on the computer or check my voicemail. I think being stripped down to just the most basic things (water, some food, a few articles of clothing, and some shelter) made me understand just how unnecessary being in constant contact is.

Now that I’m back, I can’t hide from them, and interestingly, I find I don’t want to. I had a respite, and now I’m back to managing the information flow. I think I’m doing better than usual, not getting overwhelmed at the 250 emails I had awaiting me. I’m doing only what is necessary, and letting go of the extraneous. AND, making sure to step outside on these beautiful days and enjoy the sunshine!

So, Keep It Simple! That’s what I’m talking about right now. It’s been present in my yoga practice too. Just doing the basics that I know put me into a good space. It’s been a really lovely transition back.

Namaste,

Barrett

PICTURES OF OUR TREK

About to head out – last sign of “amenities” like an air conditioned car

We headed off for a 14-mile hike after sleeping in til 10am – mistake! We had to hoof it to get back before dark.

On the way, there were some crazy parts as we moved in and out of canyons

Very happy to be done and back to our tent home. Ready for some pasta and then bed!

Posted under Health and Wellness, Personal Experiences, Yoga

The Birth Survey is Launched

Posted June 3rd, 2009 | Leave a comment » | Bookmark and Share

Just Launched!   The first ever consumer ratings website for birth locations (hospitals, birth centers) and providers around the country!

 

I think this could be a really useful survey that will give many future parents good information about care providers when they are pregnant.   Read about the Birth Survey here.   If you’ve given birth in the last 3 years, I encourage you to fill out the survey.   Future moms need your experience to help them navigate through their choices in childbirth!

 

The Birth Survey was designed by CIMS – the Coalition for Improving Maternity Services.   They do great work!

 

Let me know if you fill out the survey!

 

Barrett

Posted under Health and Wellness, Postnatal Information, Prenatal Information

Love Those Standing Poses

Posted June 2nd, 2009 | Leave a comment » | Bookmark and Share

 

We do a lot of standing postures in my classes.   I love them.   I never get bored by them.   They never get easy, but they do become more familiar and comfortable as time goes by.  Everything you want in a challenging yoga pose!

 

I’ve heard it said, “If you want to stand on your head, you have to learn to stand on your own two feet first.”   Headstand is considered one of the most important postures to master and to practice (although fyi, I have found that any inversion is great – it’s not so important for me to practice Headstand all the time). 

 

But the *foundation* of any practice really is the standing postures.  And I think it’s true that standing postures help you stand on your own two feet – meaning, they are very grounding, empowering and encouraging.   We really feel like a proud “warrior” in those classic Warrior Postures.   We feel able to bloom open, bursting with energy in Triangle or Half Moon.   We feel connected to the earth, rooted and present in balance postures like Eagle or Tree. 

 

Here’s a series I love to practice.   You should practice these after you’re a little warmed up, and using blocks as props where needed.  

 

Warrior 2 à Triangle à ½ Moon

 

           

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

(apologies for the half moon pose going the other way from the other two!)

 

If you’re feeling really feisty, after the above sequence, take a rest and then revolve the above sequence.  Be prepared for the intensity go up a few notches!  I’ve attached links to each of the below postures.   Enjoy the work, and then enjoy the rest afterwards 🙂  

 

Revolved Lunge à Revolved Triangle à Revolved ½ Moon

 

What are your favorite standing postures?  

 

Namaste!

 

Barrett

Posted under Personal Experiences, Yoga

Back from Utah Vacation

Posted June 1st, 2009 | Leave a comment » | Bookmark and Share

Just a quick post to say I’m back, and so happy to be teaching and practicing again!   I had an awesome time in Utah, going to a wedding and then camping out in the wilds of southern Utah.  I learned some things that I’d love to share in the next few days (I’m also planning to share some amazing pictures), but mostly, I just loved teaching again last night (yay for pregnant ladies – teaching prenatal yoga makes me so happy!).

Today I’m teaching three classes in a row, and I feel energized and ready to have fun with everyone who shows up.  

Love and light, and see you on the mat,

Barrett

Posted under Personal Experiences, Yoga

The 5K Aftermath – Yoga and Running

Posted May 13th, 2009 | 3 Comments » | Bookmark and Share

 

I’ve missed writing on the blog!  In the last 2 weeks, I devoted a lot of energy to running a 5K race.   Historically, I am not a runner, but as of this weekend, I am!   Here’s me finishing – a little sweaty and tired but happy to finish in 30:45!

 

 

It’s interesting to reflect on my yoga practice in light of this running project I’ve had going on for the past 3 months.  Really, for the past 6 months, my yoga practice has been pretty gentle overall.    First, I had an overstretched hamstring muscle at the top of my thigh.    I believe it was from demonstrating too much in classes, and the muscle got tweaked.    You know, I’m not really *doing* yoga when I demo a posture.   It’s more like I’m *mimicking* a posture, and the mindfulness is not there on the posture.  I’m trying not to do that anymore, and  happily, my hamstring is all better!

 

I think running, which is a tremendous hamstring strengthener, has helped fortify all the yoga rehab work I did on my hamstring.   Since beginning to run regularly 3 months ago, I’ve worked on straddling the line between not over stretching the hamstring (the original problem) and not under stretching and getting really stiff legs.   What’s worked for me thus far is to run every other day, and on the off days, do a long, mostly gentle yoga practice.   Gentle practice can still be pretty intense, but I’m not working on any postures that are at my edge.  I still plan to post a “routine” of sorts that I like to do after running.  Stay tuned!

 

This week, I’m really enjoying not having a “goal.”  It turns out I was a little anxious about whether I’d be “successful” in the race and be able to run the whole way.   Now that I know I can do it, my only “goal” is to really enjoy the mix of running and yoga that is currently in my life.   Oh – and to add some outdoor swimming in there as soon as it’s warm enough!

 

Namaste,

 

Barrett

Posted under Health and Wellness, Personal Experiences, Yoga

Two Great Classes at Black Lotus Yoga

Posted April 24th, 2009 | 1 Comment » | Bookmark and Share

 

Mom and Baby Yoga – Fridays 1:30 – 2:45pm Starts today!  Taught by Barrett

 

Sunrise Yoga – Thursdays 6:30-7:45am Starts April 30, taught by Sarah

 

I’m really excited to be starting my new moms yoga class today at Black Lotus!! This is one of my favorite classes to teach, and one of the most challenging – there’s a lot going on.  I think of the class as controlled chaos 🙂

 

But, it’s extremely helpful for new moms.   We focus on a mom’s essential needs postpartum:

–          to move and breathe in a way that feels invigorating but restful

–          to strengthen and tone the physical body postpartum, especially focusing on the pelvic floor and abdomen

–          to relax mentally and go with the flow of caring for a newborn

–          to enjoy time with your new baby

–          to connect with other new moms in a supportive space

 

We do this by making the babies as comfortable as possible in the beginning of class.   I invite moms to come early, to feed and swaddle their babes and make them content.   Then we get down to business with yoga!   Of course, sometimes babies will need something during the 75 minutes of our class.   We have specific standing, sitting, nursing, and lying down postures to practice with the baby as well, so you can stay in the yoga zone even if your baby needs to be held for a bit.

 

We also work in stages, so the class is appropriate even if you’re newly postpartum.   When you first begin attending, you’ll work with the most gentle postures, and after several weeks, you’ll move into more intermediate and advanced postures.

 

Also at Black Lotus, Sarah is offering a Sunrise Yoga class starting April 30!

This 8-week class will help you dedicate time in your life to your yoga practice in two ways: Class will meet every Thursday morning from 6:30-7:45 AM for 8-weeks beginning April 30.  In addition, every other week, Sarah will post a 5-20 minute podcast for you. These podcasts will be mini-yoga classes to help fortify your practice and  give you some material to work with on your own. Pod casts will have the following topics: yoga at your desk; breathing easy; feel the stretch (for flexibility); rinsing out (twisting series). Tuition for the full course is $99. Please call or stop in to Black Lotus to reserve your spot today! 617.899.4775

 

 

See you on the mat!

Barrett

  

 

 

New moms and babies at a recent brunch I hosted at my house

Posted under Local Interest, Postnatal Information, Upcoming Events, Yoga

Neti in the News

Posted April 15th, 2009 | 4 Comments » | Bookmark and Share

I love the neti pot.   I don’t use it often, only if I have a cold, or if it’s allergy season.   Well….. it’s getting to be allergy time!   I haven’t felt any allergies yet, but I can only assume it’s coming.

 

Traditionally, a yogi does Jala Neti (the purifying practice of nasal washing) every day.  For awhile, I tried this, and I felt dried out.   Now I use as needed.  As a teenager, the first time I used the neti pot, I remember thinking, “Well, I have no nasal issues.   Everyone else in my teacher training gets sinus infections, allergies, etc.  I have none of these, so this isn’t for me.”   Nevertheless, after my first foray into neti cleansing, I felt like I had never taken such a full, satisfying breath.  It was awesome! And, several years after moving to Boston, I developed allergies – and was very happy to already know about the neti pot!

 

Yogis have known for a LONG time how helpful the neti pot is, but in case you need scientific evidence, there are actually studies to prove its efficacy – check out this recent NYTimes article.

 

Don’t get me wrong – I’ll also be taking allergy pills and using eye drops when the going gets rough.    But the neti is unsurpassed for helping me feel clear and unclogged. 

 

Don’t resist!  If you have nasal issues (and even if you don’t), try out a neti pot.     

 

My neti pot looks like this, only blue.   You can buy them at Whole Foods and awesome natural food stores such as Cambridge Naturals.

 

Posted under Health and Wellness, Local Interest, Personal Experiences, Yoga

To Speak or Not to Speak

Posted April 13th, 2009 | Leave a comment » | Bookmark and Share

 

It’s interesting – people ask me for advice a lot.   Pregnant women ask me about how to induce labor.  Yoga students ask me about how often to practice in the studio versus at home.   Friends ask me about the strange click that’s started happening in their knee. 

 

Sometimes I think of my teacher Don Stapleton, whom I often observed was really good at listening to someone but not telling them *what to do.*   In all of the above scenarios, I could easily just tick off a matter of fact answer – “Do this” or “Practice that”.   And I admit, sometimes that’s my answer.  But I don’t want to *be* that person, that know it all, who can’t just listen and really hear the person.   In all those scenarios, I could also ask them a question back, and that could really spark an interesting conversation where I am not the “expert” dispensing advice.  If we can have a dialogue as peers, maybe we’ll both learn something along the way. 

 

On the other hand, sometimes you have something to say!  Recently, I’ve had some of the above experiences, where I’ve noticed myself trying to listen and not dictate back.   And the flip side of the coin, is that sometimes in recent weeks I’ve really needed to stand up for myself and tell someone something that is important but difficult – “You didn’t treat me well in this situation.”   “I need this from you.”  “I’m sorry, I can’t do that – I’m too busy”.  

 

It’s a funny balancing act – being aware enough to not speak where you don’t need to, and to speak when you do.   To speak softly in certain situations, and to be willing to roar if needed in others.   

 

So what are the postures I use when I want to be clear in myself, and say what I need to say, but not say too much?   First and foremost, backbends help me tremendously in opening the Throat Chakra (Ajna Chakra).   I find that so key in making my way through emotions so that I can get to the other side and speak my mind in a clear voice.   One of the most helpful is actually a relatively simple backbend, Fish Pose (Matsyasana).  I also like the corresponding Bridge Pose (Setu Bhanda)  to help keep me grounded.   These are great preparations for deeper backbends, which I often want to practice for the amazing sense of strength they impart to me.   In general, practicing yoga has helped me build fortitude, and a sense of when it’s time to speak and when it’s not.

 

Also this Yoga Journal article is great, and gives a hint at Lion’s Pose (Simhasana), which is wonderful if you’re someone who needs to speak your truth more.  

 

Finally, my partner has been encouraging me to read Difficult Conversations for awhile (not because he thinks I need it!  Just because it’s been so helpful for him).  I’ll be on a plane for awhile this weekend, so I’m going to try to read it.  I’ll let you know how it goes, and what, if anything, I find yogic about it. 

 

Namaste, and look forward to listening to you speak your truth!

 

Barrett

Posted under Personal Experiences, Yoga, Yoga Philosophy

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