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Labor and Infant Massage Classes |
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Nurturing the Body and Soul of
Pregnant and Postpartum Mothers
The Tree of Life Vision
The dual tools of massage and yoga empower the pregnant and postpartum mother to pass on health and wellbeing to her child. The foundation for a baby's good physical health begins in the primal period in the womb long before birth. The enhancing benefits of massage and yoga can be among the mother's first gifts of health to her child. The childbearing year, from conception through birth and recovery, is a unique and special time of discovery and change in a woman's life. Specialized use of massage and yoga continues an ancient and universal tradition of dynamic caring for mother and baby. Tree of Life Yoga and Massage offers professional support to nurture the mother during the child-bearing years.
Gift of Yoga
Yoga places the mother in touch with her inner landscape and harmony with the baby inside her. This practice awakens the wisdom of the connection of the mother to her inner self; attuning her to life force or 'prana'. This divine connection empowers her to give birth to new life, continues to be accessible to fulfill her capacity as a mother, and to care for herself throughout life.
Benefits of Prenatal Yoga
Yoga has been shown to have numerous health benefits for women, especially to prepare their body-mind connection for labor. Prenatal yoga is a system of adapting traditional yoga postures to meet the needs and changes of pregnancy to bring the powerful benefits of yoga during a time of intense physical and emotional change. Preparation for effectively giving birth through stretching, strengthening, enhanced endurance and relaxation exercises Training to use the force of gravity during pregnancy & childbirth Breathing techniques invaluable in labor Relieves stress, strengthens, & helps the body become more supple Creating a community space for mothers to interact and share experience
Benefits of Postpartum Yoga
In the postpartum period nature sets about undoing in eight weeks what it took nine months to create. Though it may be difficult, it is as important to care for yourself now as during your pregnancy. In yoga we come together to repair and restore from pregnancy and birth, relieve stress and tension, work out the aches and discomfort of the changing body and mind, meet other women to have a community experience of motherhood in a comfortable setting, and enjoy and bond with your baby in a caring environment.
Gift of Massage
Touch is healing. If a mother receives touch while she is pregnant she has the imprint and increased sensitivity to touch her baby and pass it on for the baby's health and wellbeing. The caring touch of massage creates positive & accepting feelings for the mother during a time of great transformation. Pregnancy is a time to store up energy and take care of oneself for the long-term health of baby and mother. Massage is a direct way of nurturing the mother during this time.
Benefits of Prenatal Massage
Pain relief of muscles and joints that are supporting added & redistributed weight
Flexibility to adjust to changing shape
Reduce excess fluid retention by gently pushing fluid into circulation
Ease constipation as relaxation stimulates intestinal movement and improve gas and heartburn
Slow varicose vein as improving circulation lowers pressure on bulging veins
Relieve headaches due to tension, constipation, or buildup of metabolic waste
Emotional support and physical nurturing for anyone and particularly for those who are alone in the process
Benefits of Postnatal Massage
Postpartum is an intense period of time, having opened up body-mind-soul to allow a new life to come through. Postnatal massage accelerates the mothers rehabilitation from strain or misalignments and fatigue caused during the birthing process and facilitates restoration of pre-pregnancy physioloy. The deeply relaxing benefits of massage rejuvenate the mother from lack of sleep and provide relief from the demands of newborn care. Massage will nurture you whether or not you are experiencing postpartum "blues".
Gift of Labor Support
Labor support is a powerful choice for any woman wanting an optimal birth experience for herself and her family. Labor support is specialized assistance by a professionally trained therapist, often called a Doula, to provide therapeutic services to the mother, her family and the new baby at the birth and during recovery at hospital or home in cooperation with medical or midwife care. Massage for the mother is an integral part of the birthing process in virtually all cultures of the world, and has been a traditional part of supporting women in childbirth for centuries. Breathing, body positioning and relaxation along with specific massage techniques for easing common discomforts during labor can help the mother relax between contractions, reduce pain from tight muscles, decrease the intensity of labor pain, and provide emotional support and encouragement. Specific Benefits of Labor Support Studies show that women who have labor support show the following:
Decrease in Ceasarian section (by 50%)
Epidural requests decrease (by 60%)
Decrease need for Forceps (by 40%)
Decrease length of labor (by 60%)
Increase in vaginal delivery
Decrease in Pain Medication (by 30%)
Decrease in Oxytocin (by 40%)
- Kennel & Klaus Labor Study (May 1991, JAMA)
In addition to contributing to positive birth outcomes, research also shows that labor supported birthing produces healthier infants, mother's report increased satisfaction about the birth experience and the couple's relationship is more likely to sustain positive feelings six weeks postpartum.
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© 2006 to 2007 Steve Milan. All rights reserved.
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