When you were pregnant, you probably heard a horror story about another woman’s labor and delivery. Perhaps she endured endless hours of contractions, an emergency C-section, or a placental abruption. Forty years after the birth of my cousin, my aunt still talks about the extreme pain she experienced. She vowed never to have another child and to alert others of what their doctors may not tell them. Perhaps a complication has left you traumatized. If so, a healing session could help you recover. I caught up with Deena Blumenfeld at The Shining Light Prenatal Education Center in Pittsburgh, to find out how mothers are using meditation, mantra, and breathing exercises to heal from a traumatic birth.
Fertility Yoga
Yoga can make you more flexible, relaxed, and toned, but can the ancient art make you a baby? I caught up with Deena Blumenfeld at The Shining Light Prenatal Education Center in Pittsburgh, to find out how to breathe and conceive.
Mocha Moms Coming to Pittsburgh!!!
I love my city. Pittsburgh, or shall I say Sixburgh, since the Steelers brought home six Superbowl titles, is a wonderful place to raise your kids. We’re home to world-renowned health systems, award-winning schools, and you can’t beat the cost of living! As a matter of fact, just last year, we bumped Honolulu out-of-the-way and were named the most livable city in the US. Now, that’s pretty bad ass if you ask me, being that we don’t have any beaches.
Now, I have one more reason to call my hometown awesome. Recently, I attended a Mocha Moms, Inc. interest group meeting. (If you haven’t heard of this amazing organization, just click on the Mommy Minutes tab and read my one-on-one interview with Mocha Moms Co-founder and President Emerita, Cheli English-Figaro.) About a dozen moms showed up, to find out how we can charter a chapter in Pittsburgh. It reminded me of a college sorority, since we came together with common interests and goals. Instead of planning to tailgate, we set up play dates. Like a Greek organization, there is also a focus on community service and sisterhood. Although the group is made up of mostly moms of color, membership is open to everyone, regardless of race, religion, or socio-economic background. You also don’t have to be a stay-at-home mom to join! The organization is even more attractive, since annual dues total only $20 to $40.
At the interest meeting, moms swapped stories, gave advice, and exchanged phone numbers. Our host, Cythnia Levy-Mendoza, talked about her experiences as a Mocha Mom in Queens, New York and why she wanted to start a local chapter.
Want to charter a chapter in your city or become a general member? Log onto www.mochamoms.org to find out how!
Video Diary: Mommy & Me Yoga
When you think of yoga, the words meditation and relaxation come to mind. So, am I crazy for bringing my baby? Recently, Baby C and I became one with the universe and took a Mommy & Me yoga class. Watch our video diary to find out if it was chaotic or calming. Then click on the Gaga Reviews & Giveaways tab to find out how you can enter to win an 8 session yoga pass!