31 Bloggy Days of May

May 31, 2012 By Leave a Comment
2012-0531_mamahhh_blogathon

In the yoga classes I teach, I am a big proponent of sighing. A long breath in, a soft sigh out—it’s one of the simplest techniques (and pleasures) I’ve found for getting in touch with how I am feeling in the moment, and moving toward a state of greater ease. So here, on the 31st day of May, a sigh of relief seems a perfect fit for acknowledging the big work I completed this month: I blogged every day in May as part of Michelle Rafter’s 2012 WordCount Blogathon. I feel proud (Yay, me!), a little tired, and very happy to take a few days off! Here are a couple lessons I hope to carry … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bodymind Bliss, Mindbody Practices Tagged With: , , ,

Parenting Aspirations

May 30, 2012 By Leave a Comment
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On the advice of a friend, I’ve been reading Everyday Blessings: The Inner Work of Mindful Parenting by  John and Myla Kabat-Zinn. Early in the book, John describes a homecoming with his college-aged son. One passage quickened my pulse and clarified my parenting aspirations: Someday, I want a moment like THIS …   “First child off at college freshman year, arrives home 1:30 A.M. for Thanksgiving, driven by a friend. When he had called earlier to say he would not make it home from dinner as we had hoped, we were all disappointed, and for a few moments there had been more than … [Read more...]

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Self-Care Strategies: Moneywise Mom Gina Lincicum

May 29, 2012 By Leave a Comment
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Self-care? Life balance? And motherhood? Yes, it’s possible! We’re moms 24/7—and then some, it seems!—but we’re also women, daughters, sisters, lovers, friends, bosses, creatives, volunteers, caregivers, teammates, and, well, just, MORE! We have to be: Fueling our own inner fire is what gives us the spark to be present for those we love, to hold their hearts and hands, to play pretend four more times and read just one more bedtime book, pretty please mama?! And so we, again and again, take up the search for life balance. It’s a wobbly practice: Whether you stay at home, work at … [Read more...]

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Mamahhh, in a Wordle

May 28, 2012 By Leave a Comment
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So for the past month, I've been blogging daily as part of the 2012 Blogathon, hostessed by the generous Michelle Rafter. I've tried many a blog challenge, but Michelle's is the only one that holds me accountable and keeps me writing. Can I just say, that even though I made my living solely as a writer and editor for years, blogging daily is HARD. Some days, it makes mothering feel easy! Then, there are days like today, when we take a little break, sit back, and enjoy a change in perspective. Courtesy of Wordle.net, I got a visual at-a-glance of what we talk about here at Mamahhh. See for … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Birth, Before and After Tagged With: , , , , ,

Prenatal Yoga Moves for Labor

May 27, 2012 By 1 Comment
Nashville Prenatal Yoga for Birth

Whether or not you’re a prenatal yoga regular, these moves can help you stay focused and at ease as you progress through labor. Lunges – lunge up and downs stairs (carefully!), stepping sideways (feet parallel with the front edge of the step, so you're facing the side of the stairwell) with a deep lunge to encourage your pelvis to open, creating more space for baby. Hands and knees – a great laboring position for receiving hip counterpressure during contractions, great for keeping your gaze down and inward to keep you feeling grounded, a good place to circle your hips and release … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Birth, Birth, Before and After, Featured Tagged With: , , ,