Prenatal Yoga Practice - 7 months

Beauty Retreat: Prenatal Massage FAQ (and voucher giveaways)

Hi there fellow moms-to-be. It's been awhile since my last post. I'm 7 months in now and I'm still out and about and you will still find me at the studio. Being pregnant and running your own business can be tricky and I'm slowly making it work. Part of why I've managed to maintain my general well being and emotional health is, to be honest, my frequent trips to my favorite and also conveniently close, facial and massage center. It's called Beauty Retreat. 

If you have been to Surya Yoga, you'd know that Beauty Retreat is just beside Julliad Music School (which of course, is just to the left of us *smiles*). So give or take, 5 hops and tada! You are at Beauty Retreat.

They give amazing prenatal massages! So I thought, why not share with everyone how I've managed to stay generally more energized and on my toes. I've made some research online and this is what information I've collected on prenatal massage.

8 Top Benefits of Prenatal Massage

• It alleviates stress that our joints go through during pregnancy
• A remedy for common pregnancy discomforts including fatigue, lower back pain, stiffness, heartburn, vericose veins, nasal congestion and constipation. (the list is much longer, but I've listed out the more common discomforts)
• Increases blood circulation, mobility and help remove toxins
• Stabilizes hormone levels. Cortisol (stress related) decreases and Dopamine as well as Serotonin (keeps depression at bay) increases. The increase in these hormones relieves depression and anxiety.
• Helps generate endorphins that help us feel more relaxed resulting in much better sleep
• Helps with maintaining good posture and blood pressure
• Massage is a natural, drug free, safer alternative for pain relief.
• Easier delivery (I appreciate this the most, naturally)

My visits to Beauty Retreat often involves me being propped to the side with pillows. Which brings me to my next little slice on info.

Things to consider BEFORE getting a prenatal massage

• Mommies in their first trimester are generally not recommended to go for prenatal massage
• Avoid aromatherapy massages if possible (ask for non scented preferably)
• Find a trained and qualified therapist (they will know which pressure points to avoid)
• Always seek advice from your health care provider beforehand especially if you have any of the listed conditions: high risk pregnancy, Pregnancy Induced Hypertension (PIH), preclampsia, previous pre-term labour, severe swelling or high blood pressure)

In short, massage therapy when incorporated into routine prenatal care provides both emotional and physical health. I've spoken to the vibrant people at Beauty Retreat and they have decided to give mysuryayogababy blog readers a special promotion! 50% discount for face or body treatments. Terms and conditions apply (please fill in the special form below to get your voucher *smiles).

Simple furnishing but definitely helped me 'zen' out

I've been with Beauty Retreat truthfully from the very start when I just opened Surya Yoga. I do love their Thalgo products. I'm rather addicted (in a good way) to their facials.

The little consultation room

Gosh, my baby bump! So yes, do give Beauty Retreat a try. I personally enjoy their services. It doesn't hurt that they are just a few hops away. Convenience and comfort, can't beat that.

Do visit their Facebook Page

https://www.facebook.com/myBeautyRetreat

Beauty Retreat

C-G-11 Jalan PJU1/45, 

Aman Suria Damansara, 

47301 Petaling Jaya, Malaysia

03-7803 3509

Namaste

Jo

Golden Rules of Prenatal Yoga Video

Another video we made concerning very important rules of prenatal yoga. We actually just learnt how to take videos and edit them. I decided to document my pregnancy through these prenatal yoga sequences videos. I hope you enjoy them. I certainly enjoyed making them! I have about 2 months left of my pregnancy journey. More updates to come. Thank you for reading. Stay tuned!

Namaste

Jo

Prenatal Yoga Practice Video - 5 Months

This prenatal yoga sequence is suitable for women 5 months into pregnancy. Do join our classes at Surya Yoga, Aman Suria in Petaling Jaya. Feel free to email me at mysuryayoga@gmail.com to find out more about our classes and other things concerning prenatal yoga. I would be glad to be of service.

Namaste

Prenatal Yoga Practice Video - 4 Months

Please have a look at this prenatal video we made at Surya Yoga. Do follow this recommended sequence for prenatal yoga practitioners (4 months into pregnancy).

Namaste

Jo

Prenatal Yoga Practice - 6 Months

Couples Prenatal Yoga Workshop @ Surya Yoga

I was delivering my first born, Jonathan at the time. My husband joined me in the delivery room to offer his support. You might find this rather funny (I do sometimes!), but the inspiration to start the couples prenatal yoga workshops at Surya Yoga was my loving husband! 

In the midst of all my painful contractions and determined focus, I realized that my husband was in a state of shock and was panicking, hiding himself behind a door! I could see how badly he wanted to help me but he just didn't know how. He grew awfully pale seeing me in pain. In fact, the doctor at the time was rather concerned over him.

After giving birth to Jonathan (who is a now a vibrant little boy *smiles*), I decided that a couples prenatal workshop would actually prepare BOTH first time mom and dads for pregnancy and what to expect during labor. It would give them a rough idea on what to do and expect. More importantly, give first time dads a heads up on the stages of contractions and how to be of assistance during labor.

So let me explain a few topics that we cover during the workshop.


Topics covered in Couples Prenatal Workshop at Surya Yoga:

• Firstly, it's suitable for couples at any stage of pregnancy.
• The workshop starts off with breathing exercises and yoga poses that will create and enhance the bond between dad, mom and the unborn baby. 
• Then it's time for prenatal yoga couples poses where couples learn to stretch together. It's a great form of bonding and infectious fun. Couples learn how to work as a unit.

• Next up are simple and safe massage techniques. It will help equip husbands how to assist their pregnant partners that may have back pain, stiff shoulders and other common physical ailments caused by pregnancy. Husbands need to know how to alleviate any pain their partners are feeling.

• The workshop will then go into the stages of contraction and how to prepare for it. The workshop will highlight the important things to be aware of in the labor room.
• We also cover breathing techniques for couples to do in the labor room. Husbands will also learn gentle massages to help alleviate pain and how to give verbal support.

• Not forgetting, couples will learn how to handle possible episodes of depression that occur before and after giving birth.
• Lastly, a session of couples meditation. 

The couples prenatal workshops conducted at Surya Yoga are unlike antenatal workshops offered in most hospitals. We focus more towards bonding, love and couple intimacy. We give guidance on how to better understand each other during pregnancy. We educate women on the changes their body will go through and how to enjoy the journey of pregnancy.

I've been conducting these workshops at Surya Yoga for some years now. We have received many positive responses from our participants. It seems that my loving husband, despite his mild panic attack, paved the way for future dads to be more prepared and more informed. For time to time, my husband and I laugh over what happened. Safe to say, he will be my knight in shining armor and my rock the next time round!

We have it 3-4 times a year at Surya Yoga. You only need to attend our workshop once throughout pregnancy. It usually goes on for an hour and a half. Couples are charged RM 50 for the workshop. Updates can be found at our main website http://www.suryayoga.com.my

Prenatal Couples Workshop 2014

Saturday, 22nd February 2014

Saturday, 12th July 2014
Saturday, 16th August 2014

Saturday, 15th November 2014

Do contact us at mysuryayoga@gmail.com for any inquiries, we will be happy to assist you.

Namaste

Jo