Welcome Guest Blogger, Sarah Longacre, of Blooma.
I believe in breath. I believe in movement. I believe in finding the softness in every moment and the strength in every moment. I believe in the power of the mind-body connection. I believe, no, I know the power of yoga. I know the power of prenatal yoga.
As a birth doula who has attend over 600 births, a prenatal yoga instructor and the owner of Blooma, a prenatal yoga, wellness and education center, I have seen and experienced birth and yoga first hand. I have seen mothers transform on their mats, and in their births in more ways than we will ever know.
And now, now after 13 plus years of being in the birth world, it is finally my turn to walk the birth path. I am expecting my first baby this Fall. Yes, it is finally my turn. And now, never more than ever, do I believe in the power of breath, movement, the present moment and this awesome mind-body connection that I find on my yoga mat.
I have seen literally thousands of mothers step onto their mats and dive deep into this connection. But I had no clue as to how powerful it really was until my own pregnancy. I have been practicing yoga since 1997, as a senior in college. I have had a steady practice, taken my 200 hour training, taught over 21 prenatal teacher trainings around the world, and a long list of other credentials. BUT, up until now, I did not know how much I needed my mat and the time with myself and my baby.
Some might think that my pregnancy journey has been full of joy, empowerment, excitement and 100% bliss. HA! The first 20+ weeks were far from that. I was sad, scared and full of loss and grieve of what I was walking away from – a life of independence and passion for my business. What pregnancy has brought me is the affirmation of all that I do not know, all that I have to let go of and an acceptance of change. This is WHY YOGA is CRUCIAL to my PREGNANCY!
When my round belly baby and I step onto my mat, I get to sink deep into the fear, the excitement, the joy and the transformation of my life. Whether at home on my mat or during a class I get to let go. I cry, I laugh, I move and go deep. I soften and I connect. I connect to all of the mothers, literally and figuratively, that have walked this path and continue to do so. But most importantly, I find my breath, the link between my heart and my baby’s heart, which in turns brings me into the present moment. Ahhh… the present moment. What a gift! Nothing to do but be here, with the layers of my life and my sweet baby. The spirit that chose me and will walk this path with me… on and off of my mat.
The long list of benefits of practicing prenatal yoga consist of not only the physical aspect of pregnancy but mental, and for many a spiritual deepening and awakening. At Blooma we see 100’s of mothers that already have a strong practice. They grow even stronger due to the invitation that pregnancy can bring. It is about tuning and turning more inward. For those stepping into a yoga studio for the first time, there is an invitation to meet a side of themselves they have never met.
Sarah Longacre, owner of Blooma prenatal & postnatal yoga, education and wellness studio, is a birth doula and yoga teacher who has nurtured, comforted, inspired and educated thousands of women on their pregnancy and mothering journeys. She is expecting her first baby this fall.
