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Why Pregnant Women Should do Yoga

July 19, 2014 · 10 Comments

Why Pregnant Women Should do Yoga

My gorgeous friend Lou from Yogi Tree is a yoga instructor with a special interest in pre-natal yoga. I have asked her to share a bit about why this is so good for expectant mummas.

♥♥♥

 

Although I have been practicing yoga for over 10 years – it was falling pregnant that really made me realize how amazing it is.

I guess growing another little human being inside is the ultimate motivation for a bit of self-care, yes?  During my pregnancy, yoga helped me relax my mind, stretch and open my body, all while teaching me the fundamentals of a magically strong BREATH which, boy oh boy came in handy during labour.

Putting the physical and emotional benefits aside for a minute (of which there are MANY!) – simply taking time out for yourself is something so important (and often pushed aside with our hectic lifestyles).  When you take time for yourself and focus on simply BEING and BREATHING you let external distractions simply melt away…. giving you the amazing opportunity of connecting with yourself, and your child.

I love the energy of a pregnant woman – vibrant, excitable, dedicated, determined, and brimming with love.  It is usually yoga that helps coax out these qualities – the focus that I see from my prenatal clients has no rival!  So why should someone do prenatal yoga?  What if you are a beginner?  What if you have specific injuries or pregnancy complications?

 

♥ First things first – choose your teacher wisely.  Prenatal yoga (to me) is a lot more of an intimate learning environment.  A lot of my classes end up in a huge counselling session where we all start venting and sharing our experiences!  Choose someone you feel comfortable with, and trust – follow your gut – a good prenatal teacher will be there to support you through EVERYTHING.   Prenatal yoga is so much more than just doing a few yoga postures.  Your perfect teacher will be able to specifically tailor your practice depending on your stage of pregnancy and your general health & fitness.

 

♥ Prenatal yoga brings so many benefits – physically you help your body stretch and open…. it’s all about creating SPACE for baby, in an increasingly restricted area!  Building strength and muscle tone is something that will help your body carry the extra weight of a growing child, plus get you through an active labour and childbirth – not to mention a speedy recovery!

 

♥ Yoga will help improve your posture, which in turn helps you BREATHE better.  A straight spine and an open chest helps prana (breath) flow.  The energy of breath flowing through our bodies is our life force – when you breathe properly, your internal organs receive fresh, oxygenated blood more easily, in turn helping your whole body feel and function BETTER.

Speaking of breath – prenatal yoga will teach you the fundamentals of a beautiful, calming breath which you will use during labour.  A calm and deep breath helps relax the body and clear the mind of negativity – crucial during labour.  The breath also helps you focus when you are physically challenged (through dynamic yoga OR a contraction – it’s the same breath!) so by practicing during your yoga class, you are practicing for birthing your child.

 

♥ Pregnancy complaints such as insomnia, sciatica, lower back pain, mood swings, nausea (yes the list goes ON) can all be addressed and relieved through certain yoga postures, stretches and breathing exercises.

 

♥ Prenatal yoga will help you learn to TRUST your body, and let go of fear and anxiety.  Through asana (yoga postures) and pranayama (yoga breath) we can address, and in turn, release negative energy which can hinder the birth process.  When we tense up and fear the pain of childbirth, the physical body goes into a state of “fight or flight” where all the blood rushes to our external limbs.  Through yoga (meditation & breath work) we can learn to surrender and trust that our bodies KNOW what they are doing – by staying calm & relaxed all of that blood stays pumping around the uterus, keeping labour progressing as it should.

 

♥ Through positive visualization and meditation, yoga can help you connect with YOUR true self…. help you find your courage and determination…. and most importantly give you some precious quiet time to connect with your child.  It truly is a magical experience.

 

I could go on for AGES (I often DO during my classes!) about the amazingness of pregnancy and childbirth (and beyond).  For me, yoga augmented my experience.

When the body, mind and spirit combine – magical things do INDEED occur.

 

Meditation

Here’s a super easy 5 minute meditation-exercise that allows you to both connect with your breath AND your baby.

Place your hands on your belly, gently cradling the baby. Observe the sensations felt beneath your hands. (Do you feel warmth? Movement? Can you feel the gentle rhythm of your breath?  Your heart?)  Relax your shoulders down away from your ears and make sure your face is beautifully soft. Breathe slowly, in and out – inhaling and exhaling smoothly and deeply through your nose. (If your mind wanders off, breathe deeper into your belly – right down, deep deep deep.) If a thought arises, let it float away with your exhale.  Focus on just your breath, and those subtle sensations going on inside your belly.

Try doing this for five minutes each day, gradually adding more time each week.

 

Lou from Yogi Tree

About Lou:

Hi there lovely NNAM readers, my name is Louise Mackie, and among other things I am Mum to an energetic 3 & 1/2 year old, a yoga teacher, doula and wholefood cook.  I have recently started my business Yogi Tree on the Gold Coast which focuses on a few holistic “branches” of wellbeing (a few being because I have SO many interests & passions I can’t limit it to one).

Basically, my passion is helping women feel empowered to have beautiful, healthy birthing experiences through yoga, mindfulness, meditation, and good food.  Preparation and education is key – starting awesome habits during pregnancy sets up your whole family for maintaining a healthy and positive lifestyle. If you live on the Gold Coast, I would love to see you at one of my yoga classes! Check out my shop on Etsy for some lovely treats for mums homemade with love.

Get in touch with Lou:  Website  Facebook   Etsy

 

Yogi Tree Wellbeing

Filed In: HEALTH, SELF / Tagged: Gold Coast, Lou Mackie, Louise Mackie, pregnancy, prenatal, yoga, Yogi Tree

A Healthy Food Lover’s Guide to the Gold Coast

April 17, 2013 · 32 Comments

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A Healthy Food Lover’s Guide to the Gold Coast

 

The Gold Coast is not all flash and touristy, there is a vibrant natural, new age community to be discovered.

Nowhere is this more evident than in the emerging health food scene. While we normally do a lot of self-catering on holidays,  I also like to sample the local fare. I had done my research and had a few places on my hit list. They did not disappoint.

Here are my top 5 foodie spots on the Gold Coast where you can be assured of a healthy meal.

 

Madame Tojo’s Coffee Palace 

The Naughty Naturopath Mum and I had morning tea at this eclectic little cafe in Chirn Park. I had a delectable gluten-free nectarine cake and a huge pot of chai. Alisha had a vegan, salted caramel and walnut tart and a green smoothie. That little scoop of ice-cream and choccy shards was a nice luxurious treat!

The food is amazing, the vibe is funky and the service friendly. They didn’t even mind too much that we were so busy chatting we forgot to pay! Don’t worry, we went back later and settled up.

Madame Tojo's - Natural New Age Mum

eclectic vibe

photo (1)fabulous food

If you go:  Madame Tojos ♥ 23 Musgrave Ave  Chirnpark ♥  07 5532 2874 ♥  website  ♥  facebook 

 

Mandala Organic Arts Cafe

The next stop on our girl’s day out was Mandalas! Many of you had suggested this one to me and Alisha and I caught up with the beautiful Kirri from Kirri White Coaching. This place is just so cool – it has a very relaxed, friendly atmosphere.

The food is organic, vegan and/or raw. They even have a probiotic bar where the kombucha is on tap. Now, that is something you don’t see everyday! We sat outside in the permaculture garden, surrounded by lavender and herbs.

The food was beautiful and made fresh to order. I had a raw, vegan pizza, salad and a green-grape kombucha. Alisha had vegan bean nachos and a strawberry kombucha and Kirri had coconut icecream and a coconut !

Mandala Organic Arts Cafe - Natural New Age Mum

happy day

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funky vibe

If you go: Mandala ♥ 4/2558 Gold Coast Hwy Mermaid Beach ♥   07 5679 1762 ♥ website ♥ facebook

 

The Cardamom Pod

This place was so great, I went twice! The decor is funky and electic, the service friendly and the food is gourmet vegetarian. All meals are in a hot or cold buffet and you just choose which combination you would like.

The Natural New Age Dad and I had a lunch date where we feasted on tofu rice paper rolls and salads. We had a big pot of chai (they even make it the real way and brew it on the stove) and a raw, apricot power ball for afters.

Later on in the week, I met up with Vanessa from Superfood for Kidz for dinner with our kids. We had vegetable curries and rice, salads, koftas, spinach and ricotta filos and samosas. I couldn’t fit in dessert, but took home a slice of raw, vegan pumpkin pie for the next day. The kids loved their sago puddings and raw chocolate mousse. Yum.

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 fresh, vibrant, vegetarian food

 cardamom pod broadbeach

funky decor

 If you go: The Cardamom Pod ♥  1/2685 Gold Coast Highway Broadbeach ♥ 0452 218 108 ♥ website ♥ facebook

 

Giri Kana Cafe

In the quieter suburb of Southport, you will find this cute little cafe. The food is organic, raw, gluten-free vegetarian or vegan. We met up with friends for a spot of afternoon tea.

I simply had to try the  raw, passionfruit cheesecake (I did share) with my pot of chai. The rest of them had chocolate honey cake, carrot cake buttons and vege burgers. It was all delicious and freshly made on the premises. The atmosphere was very relaxed and friendly and was full of locals enjoying the atmosphere.

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luscious raw passionfruit cheesecake

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funky and modern

If you go:  Giri Kana Cafe ♥  Gold Coast Hwy, Southport  ♥ 07 5591 3555 ♥ website  ♥  facebook 

Govinda’s

A cheap, healthy meal in the heart of Surfer’s Paradise? Yes it is possible!  The Natural New Age Dad and I enjoyed a ‘monk’s bowl’ at $7 a piece. The monk’s bowl is your choice of curry and your choice of brown or white rice, topped with a kofta and spicy tomato relish from a hot buffet. The curry was delicious – maybe a bit heavy on the potato for me, but delicious all the same. We were so full, we couldn’t sample the raw desserts, but they looked so good.

I love the fact that these restaurants are a charity organization and every meal you buy helps out someone in need. The vibe is super friendly and relaxed. The atmosphere is not as great as I would have liked as it is in a corner of a shopping centre, but the food and value for money would make us return!

 govinda's surfers paradise

 monk’s bowl

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cheap and cheerful

If you go: Govindas ♥ 3120 Surfers Paradise Boulevard Surfers Paradise ♥ 07 5538 3788  ♥  website ♥  facebook

 

They are my top five picks for healthy food on the Gold Coast! Did you notice they were all vegetarian? I didn’t miss the meat, they were fabulous!

 

Do you have any other places you like to visit on the Gold Coast for healthy food?

 

 

 

Filed In: SELF / Tagged: Giri Kana, Gold Coast, Govinda's, healthy food, Madam Tojo, Mandala organic arts cafe, organic, The Cardamom Pod, travel, vegan, vegetarian

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