the yoga of birth + giveaway
Yoga is so much more than an asana (posture) practice. I learned this in its fullness when I was a new Muma. My yoga was the way I went about my day with my baby. It wasn’t stretching into downward dog or attending a class every week. My sadhana (spiritual practice) occurred every day – in my home. Perhaps it was the way I cooked the evening meal, or the thoughts I had when I walked with Che. Perhaps it was the (((((oms))))) I chanted when he was unsettled or the mental relaxation I practiced while he fed. My yoga, right now, is my mothering and it is this very concept that Katie Manitsas addresses in her new book The Yoga Of Birth.
Katie is the only advanced certified Jivamukti yoga teacher in Australia and is the founder of Jivamukti Sydney (formerly Samadhi). She is an inspiring creative, a mother of two young boys – Christos and Ziggy, a doula and is currently studying the Montessori method for preschoolers.
The Yoga of Birth is the first book of its kind. It addresses the importance of a conscious conception (something I experienced with Poet and indeed I vouch for it!), yoga to support and nurture your self during pregnancy, yoga for a natural birth, the first forty days (aka babymoon), baby massage, starting solids and wholesome food for toddlers. Katie’s voice, her wisdom and nurturing self are vivid throughout each chapter as she gently discusses the beauty of a woman’s body and the wonder that is conception, pregnancy and birth.
I read each page while Poet slept beside me in those first few weeks of her life. I found myself nodding to so much of what Katie was saying and absolutely loving the fact that, above anything else, she encourages pregnant women and mothers to slow down, take care and just be. Wise, wise words.
The official launch of The Yoga of Birth will take place at Jivamukti Yoga Studio in Newtown on Saturday 24th September at 10am. There will be kids face painting, healthy snacks, a family friendly vibe, free pregnancy goody bags and a short introduction to the book from Katie as well as a book signing.
Katie has kindly signed a copy of The Yoga of Birth and would like one of you to take it home, read it and learn from it. If you like, leave a comment below (feel free to ask me a question about yoga for pregnancy, birth and beyond and I will answer in a post next week) and you will go in the draw. Entries close Thursday 29th September. Gaby is also hosting the same giveaway tomorrow.
I had the pleasure of interviewing Katie…read on and enjoy!UPDATE: The winner, using the Random Number Generator is Bridget. However, I feel like my copy needs to be passed on to someone that needs to read its wisdom, someone that needs to be comforted by its message. And so I hope that Yasmin will receive it with gratitude and be inspired x
Jodi: Katie, you found yoga at a young age. How did your practice evolve when you discovered you were pregnant?
Katie: Well, I have two children and the changes were different for each pregnancy. When I found out I was pregnant with my first child it was unexpected and at the time I have a very strong, physically dynamic yoga practice. It changed very radically because I was very nauseous and the practice made the sickness worse. It was really difficult for me to let go of the attachment to the dynamic practice. With my second pregnancy I was already a mother and to a certain extent had made that transition already.
Jodi: How did yoga support your pregnancy journey?
Katie: Yoga is a practice of transformation and supports us as we go through tumultuous times and times of great change. Pregnancy in many ways is a roller-coaster ride. A spiritual practice can provide a safe and steady space within those ups and downs.
Jodi: So many things change when you become a Muma…did your understanding of yoga change?
Katie: Of course! Motherhood takes you out of the centre of the circle. Suddenly another being, your holy baby, becomes the centre of your world. It’s the ultimate Karma Yoga or yoga of service. Nothing can prepare you for this! It’s a wonderful blessing and a huge challenge at the same time. It took me time to adapt. Usually I am a person who processes things (emotionally) quite quickly. But becoming a mother took me some time. At first I wanted nothing in my life to change, I’d say stuff like ‘I’m just going to do everything I used to do and I’ll take the baby / child with me’. Yeah, right. That never happened. Life changes when you have children. I learned to surrender. To spend less time working on my handstand or splits practice and more time changing nappies and going to playgroup. And through that process my understanding of yoga was nourished and deepened enormously.
Jodi: How did you incorporate yoga into your life as a new muma?
Katie: I meditate more than I did because sometimes I am sleep deprived and just not up to dynamic asana. I chant mantra everyday. I chant my children to sleep every night so that if I haven’t done any other practice that day at least I got to practice japa (mantra recitation). My four year old knows lots of beautiful Sanskrit mantras because of this routine! When I make a family meal for us all in the evenings (which happens on most nights of the week) I try to do this with an attitude of Sadhana (conscious spiritual practice). I’m fortunate because during the time I am cooking there is usually someone else at home to help look after the children and I can just focus on making a beautiful meal for us all to share as a family together. This is an important part of the day for me and I see it as a kind of practice. I’m not breastfeeding any more but when I was that was always a great time for mantra and meditation too. Sometimes we all do yoga together as a family. I usually ‘teach’ everyone and we each have a mat and join in. It’s mayhem!
Jodi: You were obviously inspired by your first birth experience because you became a doula soon after. What is it like to support a woman in the transition of birth?
Katie: There are not words to describe the feeling of watching a new being enter the world. It’s so close to the feeling of watching a person leave the body (in death). A magical, mysterious, otherworldly experience. Precious beyond words. Sacred.
Jodi: How do you believe yoga can support a woman during pregnancy, birth and beyond?
Katie: Yoga teaches us to be present and available for the reality of what is really happening in a given moment. Not to run from the truth or pretend a situation is other than it is. So yoga can help you say ‘yes I have morning sickness and I feel terrible and I’m not coping’ but it also helps us remember ‘I know this will shift and change soon enough’. On a physical level yoga as a great deal to offer in terms of techniques for helping a woman to have a healthy, natural birthing experience. There is lots more info. about that in the book.
Jodi: How can a woman best prepare for a natural birth experience – a birth she doesn’t want to forget?
Katie: By slowing down. Resting. Connecting to her instincts. And by gathering like-minded, strong spirited support people around her to encourage and nurture her intention.
Jodi: Lastly, home birth in Australia is being threatened…what can we do to ensure we always have choice as to where we birth our babies?
Katie: Gosh this is such a huge topic and it’s controversial. I’m so saddened that home birth has become so difficult here. In many parts of Europe (including the UK where I am from originally) it’s a normal and health option. Here is Australia it is seen as ‘alternative’ and is becoming next to impossible. I’m not sure there is much we can do except to be a voice for our beliefs and speak out for women’s choices. Also I would say this, ‘where there is a will, there is a way’. That’s usually true even if there are many obstacles.
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I gave birth to my first child two months ago. It was a beautiful experience and yoga was a big part of my pregnancy and I think having developed a practice was extremely helpful during my labor and natural birth. I would love to learn more about the connection between the two.
My question is: What (yogic) recommendations do you have for a VBAC? I'm not pregnant with our second child yet (working on it, and your conscious conception comment has me intrigued!), but would like to prepare fully for a natural and enjoyable birth next time around! Would love to read this book – I hope I win! x
Sounds amazing Jodi. We are thinking about our second babe soon and I would LOVE to know more about conscious conception! Jade x
Oh, and I mentioned you in my post today. Just wanted to let you know x
I think I have had all my babies, but as a mother of three younglings, a trainee Childbirth Educator and aspiring Yogini Katie's book sounds like an inspiring read and a wonderful resource. Would love to win myself a copy 😉 xxx
I am a midwife in the States and it such a pleasure to follow your blog. Would love to learn more about this book. Thanks!
Conscious living is something that intrigues me and I strive for in mi daily life, I would love to read more about the journey to motherhood in this light.
i would love to read this useful resource. while I have not had babies, i am a firm advocate of using yoga to relax, centre, and focus. x
Hi! I'm a new reader and really loving your blog. Thanks for a great interview! I'm starting to plan for a first child with my husband and am now prompted to look into conscious conception. 🙂
This books sounds beautiful, and as we begin to prepare ourselves for the possibility of baby number two, it might be perfect timing. Oh, interested in conscious conception too :). Rhi xx
Conscious conception sounds interesting!!
I definitely believe in the babymoon. I spent the first 8 weeks, curled up with my babe. It was the best thing, we bonded and established breastfeeding.
Sounds like a fantastic read.
x
I am really enjoying your blog and so curious about the yoga of bearch, although I am not a mother myself yet. I would say me and my husband are at a mental stage of preparing and thinking about having a baby soon. This book sounds so interesting and I would love to have the chance to read it.
Maybe you could recommend some other titles from the field?
Best regards far from Bulgaria
Ani
Unfortunately, I had an awful first birth which resulted in post natal depression. How do I overcome the fear of bringing a second life into this world? Do you think Yoga and concious conception could help? I am so lucky to have my beautiful 3 year old little man however I am so fearful of experiencing PND again -it took me so long to recover. Your blog brings me so much joy – it always males me smile. Thank you, Yasmin
As a new mum who planned a homebirth and ended up with a negative hospital birth experience, I'd love to delve deep into this book in preparation for a future pregnancy… Oh and conscious conception is very intriguing!
As a muma of 2, I practised yoga and active birth for both. Sadly I regret not having a babymoon with my 2nd son, as having Charlie I found this difficult as a toddler needed my attention. Daddy had to go back to work quite early. My question is: As a mother of 2 (5yrs & 4yrs) what advice can you give to help me slow down, I feel life is so manic and I am a charging through my days. I feel I have lost that gentle approach to life. Lou xx
great giveaway! what is the best kind of diet when practicing yoga?
I found i had to give up yoga due to 'morning' sickness with my first child … then i felt too tired to get back to it. I'd love to learn how to take it slow and take care of myself as a mother. And also to see how yoga can be a part of any second conception and birth. x
sounds like a beautiful book full of mama wisdom and wholesome birthing advice. thank you for sharing
I love the sound of this book – how inspirational. I did pilates before we got pregnant but was so exhausted for the first 4 months or so, i stopped. Over the last month I've started attending pregancy yogo classes, very slowly to get into it, but i'm loving re-discovering that connection. Something I think will be so important in the birth we want to have; a spiritual, natural birth that celebrates what we women were built to do so beautifully.
Mine and Ben's attitude towards the birth we want at our local birthing centre, and birth in general, is very in tune with eachother, but i'm finding some people's attitude to our opinions (we've heard lots of "you don't know what it's like, you've never experienced it" and "but what if something goes wrong") can be quite negative. Did you experience this and how did you put those negative thoughts out of your head and stay focused on it being a positive experience? xx
Beautiful and inspiring post and interview. My sister in Law lives next to and attends that yoga studio most days in Newtown. We used to live just 5 minutes down the road… unfortunately, despite wanting to do a course for so long, it never happened. Busy life and just didn't make a commitment to slow down and focus on me.
My question: How do I let go of a difficult and traumatic first birth experience? I really want to leave it behind and believe that the next one will be so different… but part of me feels defeated and I catch myself thinking that it won't be possible for me to have the natural, calm, conscious experience that I've always wanted.
P.S – I attended prenatal yoga for my whole pregnancy, attended natural/active birth workshops and laboured for nearly 20 hours at the birthing center before being transferred to hospital 🙁
i am also intrigued by the conscious conception. this has just topped my reading list. especially the encouragement of a babymoon, next time around i vow to stop. x ashley
I do not have questions right now, just gratefulness for this book and that this exist. Thank you!
Any book that would remind me to breath more, be more, flow more is exactly right for now… How do you self motivate when your sooooo tired?
Sounds like a very interesting book. I'm 18 weeks into my pregnancy and have been finding pregnancy yoga classes very helpful, especially, as you say, the spiritual side which I was not really part of my practice before. I would love to learn more about meditation, do you have any books/sources to recommend? Thanks!
Sounds like a FABULOUS book and one I need to get my hands on before baby number 1 comes along in January! I'm a huge yoga fan – have done it for years – and am really enjoying pre-natal classes here a few times a week. I'm going with the"Calmbirth' approach which uses a lot of yoga techniques. It just makes complete sense to me and the more information available on it the better! x
That book sounds so interesting! Question: I'm pregnant with our second child, and this time around I find it so hard to find time to slow down and attend yoga classes. Is there some simple asanas and meditations I can do at home to prepare for birth?
My husband & i are trying to concieve our first child & i have bought quite a few books that you have recommended here as i have a strong desire to have a natural pregnancy & birth & i know that i can come here for guidance.
I have been practising yoga on & off the mat for 7 months now & i would like to know if i will need to take a break from my physical yoga practise during the first trimester, i keep reading so many conflicting opinions. I don't want to give it up now that i have discovered a love for yoga, it has changed my life.
Jodi – I received an email for an event for this book and immediately put it on my wish list. As much as I would love to win something (as winning competitions has never been my strength) I really really really think you should send it to Yasmin who has left a comment above. It would be a mitzvah (blessing) for all of us to help guide her to a wonderful birthing. I know theoretically the choosing of a winner should be random but maybe a random could get a little push this time xo
I have yet to have my first child, but am constantly inspired by the beautiful women out there(like you, of course) who are so incredibly passionate about the art & nature of childbearing and birth. I genuinely take everything i read into my memory for the day in the somewhat near future that I can put it all to use in my own ethereal experience. This book sounds inspiring.
as i prepare mindfully for the birth of my first sometime in january, i would love to win this!
This is such a fantastic post. And perfectly timed for me.
I've one month into my yoga journey and it's without a doubt the best thing I've ever discovered. It's been incredible for me on such an emotional and spiritual level as well as physically.
We are hoping to be blessed with a second little one in the coming months so this book sounds like the perfect read for me.
I'm also very intrigued by your mention of conscious conception, and would love to know more. 🙂
Lovely post xx
I would LOVE a copy of this book — I'm very interested to hear what Kate has to say about purposeful conception and I really enjoyed the interview too!
would love to own this!
What a fantastic sounding book. I wish I lived down under so I could come along. I desperately want to get back into doing yoga but am struggling to get even the most basic of households chores done. Have you got any advice on finding time for yourself as a new mum? xx
This book sounds amazing.
I agree with so many of the other commenters: tell us more about conscious conception!
I'm intrigued! This book sounds wonderfully informative. I'd love to know more about it's take on food for little ones and the introduction of solids.
As I progress further into my pregnancy, I find myself more connected to my yoga practice. As I mentioned to Gaby, I've been practicing for a number of years now but have really enjoyed the gentleness of pre natal yoga. I'd be really interested in reading more about yoga beyond birth. Katie's book sounds great.
My first yoga teacher once said to us that 'where you are is perfect for you…and just where you should be'…and I've always remembered those words. On my journey to motherhood these words have comforted me particularly, and have helped me to relax, rest and just be – as both you and Katie encourage. I read your post a few days ago and think it influenced the slow and wonderful weekend I enjoyed (neglecting the chores for a morning together instead). Thank you!
My question is, if a Mama doesn't have the time or energy for strong yoga practice, what is the one thing you recommend she make time to do/practice in its place?
x
Would LOVE to know more!!! Such great inspiring information! xoxo
Also, I hope you don't mind Jodi, but I linked to this blog post from the Homebirth Network of SA Facebook page, as I thought our community might be interested in this new book and the giveaway.
Giving birth naturaly is the thing I´ve done in my life which I am proudest and happiest about. I´d love to read this book!
Hi there, I just wanted to let the ladies who are anxious about their second birthing experience know that although I had a pretty awful first labour my second birthing experience was wonderful! It really helped to continually remind myself, especially as my due date got closer, that my body had done this before and was ready and more than capable of doing it again. I guess you could say that was my mantra! And I really, truly believe it helped. Becoming a mother for the first time is such a huge, life altering event and it is only since having my second child that I have been able to reflect positively on that. I really think we all need to nurture ourselves as much as we nurture our little ones!
I hope you don't mind me asking another questions – here goes – if you could recommend one book which explores and explains Yoga to a newcomer, which one would it be? I feel a bit lost discovering Yoga but just love it and want to know so much more – Cheers, Yasmin x
Wow!! My first win!!! Thanks so much Jodi, can't wait to read it!! Will pop you an email xxxxx
nice one Jodi xoxo
Many thanks Jodi! I am humbled and touched by your kindness and also by the words shared by others. What a lovely community here…love and joy to all, Yasmin xxx