Yoga | Birth | Babies

Lindsey Vestal, M.S. OTR/L owner of The Functional Pelvis demystifies the muscles of the core and pelvic floor. Deb talks to her  about the issues women commonly experience and various ways to care for rehabilitate the pre and postnatal body. For more information  on Lindsey (she makes house calls!) Visit www.funtionalpelvis.com Lindsey also teaches “Connect to Your Core” at the Prenatal Yoga Center, for more information on this workshop or to enroll visit: http://prenatalyogacenter.org/connect-to-your-core/

Deb talks to Andrea Syms-Brown IBCLC, RLC, CIMI about breast feeding in the age of the internet. Can the internet solve your breastfeeding problems? Probably not, but it can connect you to the support you need. Andrea asks us to remember, breastfeeding is a choice. She reminds us not to let anyone guilt you about that choice, and that if you choose to breast feed embrace it and stay hydrated! Andrea Syms-Brown is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. Born and raised in Trinidad and Tobago, she is well established in New York City having been an independent Newborn Care Specialist/Educator as well as a Certified Infant Massage Instructor for many years. Andrea is the founder of Baby in the Family LLC which provides both Caring for a Newborn Baby- now available for streaming at www.BITFAMSERIES.com- and How To Breastfeed prenatal education workshops. Recently she served as both President (2012-14) and Education Director (2008-12) of New York Lactation Consultant Association. www.nylca.org. Andrea also teaches at the Prenatal Yoga Center here in NYC! She offers a breastfeeding workshop once a month, breastfeeding support circle every other Tuesday, and a caring for your newborn workshop once a month. Links we mention: Andrea’s website: http://www.babyinthefamily.net Andrea’s online workshop: www.BITFAMSERIES.com La Leche League: http://www.lalecheleague.org Prenatal Yoga Center workshops: http://prenatalyogacenter.org/events/  

Join Deb as she talks to Prenatal Yoga Center’s Caprice Abowitt. Caprice talks about her journey from dancing to becoming a yoga instructor and the very personal reason she was drawn to  the prenatal community. Caprice also talks about the joys of teaching yoga to children. For more information on Caprice as a yoga teacher or doula please visit sagecaprice.com. To take a Prenatal or Mommy and Me class with Caprice visit prenatalyogacenter.org/upper-west-side

Home birth midwife, Tanya Wills openly talks about why one may want to choose a birth outside the hospital setting, the difference between the medical model of care and the midwifery model, as well as the need for midwives to unite on their approach to care. Tanya’s passion for her craft and the belief women should have agency over their own body will inspire all pregnant women and support members. To learn more about Tanya or take a  class with her visit: http://www.manhattanbirth.com For more information about Tanya as a midwife please visit: http://www.marcytardiohomebirth.com Other links mentioned: https://choicesinchildbirth.org   http://prenatalyogacenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/PYC_TanyaWills.mp3

How a mother chooses to birth is very personal. While I was pregnant, I kept my birth choices private. I am a prenatal yoga teacher, labor support doula and Lamaze teacher; I didn’t want my students to feel I disapproved of their birth plans based on the fact that I was preparing for a home birth.   I came to my decision rather organically from attending hospital births for over ten years. I witnessed what hospitals had to offer to a low-risk woman and I did not want fight to have the birth I envisioned. Home birth is not for everyone. But it is an option for many. My hope for you, dear listener, is that your baby’s birth is infused with your voice. Although my two home births were challenging and forced me to dive to depths I did not know I had, I am grateful for having had the opportunity. I felt supported, heard, loved, and seen. I hope all birthing mothers can feel the same — no matter where they choose to birth. If you’d like please visit http://prenatalyogacenter.org/blog/why-i-chose-a-home-birth/ to read my blog on my choice of home birth. http://prenatalyogacenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/PYC_-MiniHomeBirth.mp3  

Deb discusses the effects of fear on labor, and the importance of taking some time to uncover your personal fears around your upcoming birth. Join us as we learn how to dance with the fear. http://prenatalyogacenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/PYC_BirthFear1.mp3  

In today’s podcast I had the privilege of interviewing Kelley Potter, ballerina for American Ballet Theater. Kelley openly talks about balancing life and career as a professional ballerina and the struggles she has faced. Kelley’s honesty and candor is sure to inspire you! For more about Kelley visit ABT.org

In this episode Deb interviews her doula mentor, former Broadway actress and singer Terry Richmond. Currently, Terry is one of NYC’s most sought after Doulas and Childbirth Educators. She has attended 100s of births here in NYC assisting new Moms with a wide variety of birth choices and experiences. Drawing from these experiences Terry talks to Deb about navigating the hospital system so that you can have an empowered birth! For more information on Terry please visit laborlove.org or connect on Facebook Terry teaches Childbirth Education at the Prenatal Yoga Center for more on this visit http://prenatalyogacenter.org/childbirth-education/  

Clare Friedrich is the former Program Manager at Choices in Childbirth, Lamaze certified childbirth educator and mother of two.  Clare is also part of our teaching community here at Prenatal Yoga Center in NYC. In this episode Clare talks about the  newly released report “Overdue: Medicaid and Private Insurance Coverage of Doula Care to Strengthen Maternal and Infant Health” and the changes she would like to see in our current health care system regarding maternity care.  She also discusses her birth experience and the personal changes she’s made in self care during her second pregnancy while offering some very helpful tips for women birthing in the hospital setting. http://prenatalyogacenter.org/mp3/clareradio.mp3

In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, new mother Yali Szulanski candidly opens up about her transition from “maiden to mother”. She speaks about shift of identity, body image issues and simply how long it takes to get out of the house just to grab a bagel! Yali also discusses having to shift her vision of her birth once she realized she was going to need to be medically induced. For new and expected mothers, Yali’s conversation is grounding, inspiring and honest. Please enjoy! For more information on Yali’s organization the “I Am” Project please visit: The “I AM” Project http://prenatalyogacenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/IAMYALI.mp3

I am so excited to announce the birth of my podcast Yoga | Birth | Babies! If you’re curious about what sparked the creation of the Prenatal Yoga Center then this first episode is for you. I share my journey from Godspell to creating a community of Birth Goddesses! Please share, subscribe, and rate us. We have a some amazing guest interviews coming up discussing yoga, birth, babies, and everything in between. You won’t want to miss the wisdom these women have to share. Visit Happy Birthing! Deb Flashenberg is the founder and director of the Prenatal Yoga Center. She is a Lamaze certified childbirth educator, DONA certified doula, and mother of 2. http://prenatalyogacenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Podcast-1.mp3