Reflections on Earth's Day

I am reminded of the wonders of the earth mother everyday. I witness and experience cycles of building and destruction like the ebb and flow of the tidal waters. This experience is one that I've taken solace in. Growing up in the green laced city of Oakland, CA and working with plants, then moving to the asphalt streets of New York, where the buildings themselves grow towards the sky line, mimicking trees competing for sunlight, ascending towards the heavens.

I see underneath it all, an opportunity to reflect, learn, and take new and inspired action. I find it a little absurd to dedicate just one day to celebrating the beautiful,resilient, abundant, affirming, forgiving, vital, and sensuous mother earth. It's like waiting until mother's day to show your mom just how much you love and honor her. We often take for granted the gift of life, food, water, land, all of which are sacred and provided to us. In return we must make a daily practice of giving thanks which is why I decided to celebrate and honor the earth today.

As I was teaching my Mama Glow! prenatal yoga class on Earth Day, I witnessed beautiful women grounded in pregnancy, carrying the blessing of new life within themselves and still moving fluidly with grace through their asana practice. I am inspired by expecting mothers because they are the humble vessels that share their body space with spirit as it takes form into flesh. Governed by the cycles of the moon, we hold the whole world in our wombs. The Ujaii pranayama (victorious breathing) echoing through the room, like the calming sound of the ocean, the blossoming bellies round and abundant, shining forth, ripe with life, the universal sound of OM reverberating in our wombs, and our hearts...it was this that reminded me of the elements at work creating, growing and sustaining new life. It is this that constantly amazes me and teaches me. The earth is indeed alive around and within us all.

Happy belated Earth Day. Happy Earth Day Everyday.

Guidance,

Latham

Get Clear about Birth at Denise Spatafora's BornClear Workshop

Join Denise Spatafora, founder and creator of BornClear method/philosophy, as she conducts her unique Born Clear Workshop at the Chopra Center and Spa. BornClear recognizes the unique mind-body connection during pregnancy and childbirth and dispels fears and deconstructs the mysteries around the birth experience.  Denise prepares women and couples holistically; addressing their physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual selves. 

An empowering and inspiring speaker with a background in coaching Denise reminds us to trust ourselves, our bodies, and to make informed choices. She is a proud mother of two who delivered both children at home naturally and pain-free!

The workshop will take place Saturday April 26th, 2008

To register please call Denise at: 917.279.0742

Investment: $750 per couple, includes course, materials, 

2 follow up private calls with Denise

 

Stretch it Out- Mama Glow! Stretch Mark Prevention

For many mothers there's a great deal of anxiety around weight gain and stretch marks during pregnancy. The skin tends to stretch gradually, allowing the body a little time to adjust to the change in growth. However, the rapid weight gain that happens toward the third trimester results in subtle if not intense stretch marks in many women. Most women strive to prevent the skin from reaching the point of stretching beyond capacity. There are ways you can minimize the likelihood of stretch marks appearing and to lessen the damage to the skin. The results vary from person to person, and depend largely on your genetics, diet, and lifestyle. One thing to keep in mind is that these stretch marks, which resemble the stripes of a mother tiger, are the mark of a rite of passage that you’ve taken as a new mom. And it’s no sign of failure or inferiority on any level if your abdomen becomes marked; it’s a sign of motherhood.

Your intake of certain foods has a huge impact on your skin elasticity. Increase your intake of the following foods to keep your skin supple and help prevent stretch marks.

• Take Vitamin E to increase skin elasticity
• Get your proper intake of Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) Flax seed, Borage oil, Currant seed oil, Blue green algae
  
• Eat nuts and seeds (Brazil nuts, Macadamias, Almonds, Walnuts, Hemp seeds, sunflower seeds, chia seeds, pumpkin seeds)
  

Mama Glow! Stretch Mark Prevention oil

1 oz. Wheatgerm Oil (or almond oil)
1 oz. Borage oil and Jojoba oil
Essential oils of Lavender and Neroli

Fill a dark glass bottle with 2 oz. wheat germ oil, (almond oil), and Borage and Jojoba oil. Add 5 drops of essential oil of lavender, and 20 drops essential oil of neroli. Shake well prior to each use. Apply daily after bathing. Massage in a circular motion, on, above, and beneath the blossoming belly.

Prenatal Pose of the Month: Baddha Konasana- Cobbler's Pose

Benefits the hips and groin region- huge hip opener. 

From Dandasana (staff pose), bend the knees  and take the feet together, allowing the knees to fall out to either side. Interlace your fingers and cup your feet from underneath. With a long spine firmly press the outer edges of the feet together. 

Take padding under your sit bones if necessary (folded blanket)

Take blocks and place under the knees for support if necessary

Celebrate your Skin with Dimpleskins Natural Products

Founded by a Canadian mommy who studied botanicals as well as make up arts, Dimpleskins Naturals offer a line of sustainable and cruelty free products for mamas and their babes. Dimpleskins boasts an array of amazing products. Her handy Kiss me Baby lip balm is for baby lips and chapped cheeks from sun and wind exposure. Zinc free Bum Balm for a diaper rashed tooshie. The product I am most excited to share with you is the Mama and Baby body butter-which contains cocoa butter, shea butter, palm oil, jojoba oil, calendula oil and vitamin E oil. Doesn't it just sound heavenly. Try it out, your skin will thank you. 

Melt away Stress with Massage NYC

My Featured Partner this month is Brenda Gloria, LMT, founder of Massage NYC.

Massage NYC founded by Brenda Gloria offers therapeutic massage by trained and licensed therapists, using aromatherapy and specializing in stress relief treatments. They offer hand and foot reflexology treatments as well. Conveniently located and tucked away from the busy city this urban oasis features plush organic cotton bathrobes, complimentary green tea, and Egyptian cotton sheets and will leave you feeling completely Zen. Treat yourself, you deserve it.

Tender Shoots Special Offer!

Greetings Friends,

I want to thank you all for attending my lecture "Understanding the Pranic Energetics of Food" at Laughing Lotus Yoga Center. I received wonderful feedback from a lot of you, and I am grateful for that. I am extending a Wellness offer to the lecture attendees and students of Laughing Lotus Yoga Center.

Tender Shoots Wellness offers holistic health counseling, cooking classes, conscious meal prep, meal planning, guidance in transition to a more plant based diet, herbal support, as well as yoga privates. Tender Shoots Wellness also offers support for expectant and new mothers along their journey into motherhood. Spring into Wellness.