April 2024 Student of the Month

Sabrina

Tell us about yourself?
My name is Sabrina, I have one daughter who is two and another daughter on the way. 

When did you start taking classes with PYLV?
I started taking prenatal classes in February 2023 and just fell in love!! 

What have you learned since taking classes with PYLV?
I’ve learned a lot about my body and building up fire for birth! Also the strong community that is pregnant women!! 

What is your favorite yoga pose?
My favorite yoga pose is child’s pose, nothing like relaxing in a lil ball.

How has your practice impact your parenting?
I’ve noticed that my practice has given me the ability to have something for myself and taking a breath when i need it or when things get hard. 

What would you tell a new parent considering taking prenatal or baby & me yoga classes?
I would strongly suggest any pregnant mommies to join prenatal yoga as soon as they know they are pregnant. The benefits are just so good and so worth it! Even when things are hard you keep pushing because thats similar to how birth and parenting are! 

March 2024 Student of the Month

Katalin

Tell us about yourself?

My name is Katalin but everybody calls me Kat.  I will turn 40 this August. Im new to motherhood. I have a 13 month old baby girl named Aurora who is super energized and happy go lucky baby. I was born In Hungary where I was a world class Discus thrower Track and Field Athlete and got recruited by Auburn University in 2005 where I become an NCAA champion.  I transferred to University of Southern California in 2008 where I continued my Athletic career and Graduated with Graphic Design degree in 2010. Continued to train for the Olympics in 2012 where in a middle of a practice I got a career breaking knee injury and I retired in 2012. I speak Hungarian and English and I learned Spanish. I would like to make sure my baby speaks 3 languages by the time she grows up. Now Im a stay at home mom with couple businesses. I run my own Design and Print business: Creative Mate Design (www.creativematedesign.com) and as I become a mom Girl mom I struggled to find like super cute but huge chubby bows for my girl so I made her some the way I liked them and it took off from there and started her Bow business Aurora Lana Co. (www.auroralanaco.com). 

When did you start taking classes with PYLV?

I started taking Baby and Me Classes back in August-September 2023, as I was trying to get back to being active, and  where I was able to involve my daughter as well.

What have you learned since taking classes with PYLV?

I learned that we are not alone in this journey and we have a great community that we can go to and feel welcomed and accepted the way we are without any expectations. 

What is your favorite yoga pose?

My favorite pose is child pose to receive the stress from my lover back. 

How has your practice impact your parenting?

I learned to let go of a lot of expectations towards what motherhood is, and to be more present and centered to give my baby the calm and non judgmental space she can grow and thrive in. 

What would you tell a new parent considering taking prenatal or baby & me yoga classes?

Its an amazing experience As a new parent or even someone who is not a first time mom its a great community and like-minded moms who just there to support each other and build a community. As well as you can get great little workout while you pregnant and after you give birth gives you a safe place to bring your little ons where they can play and socialize while you connect with other moms and break a little sweat in thread the needle pose!:)

February 2024 Student of the Month

PYLV Student of the Month

February 2024

Joannalyn
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Tell us about yourself?

My first name is Joannalyn but I go by Jo, I am 34 years old (turning 35 this June), I have one kid and his name is Ben Mateo and he is 5 months old. I was born in the Philippines and moved to the states when I was 15 years old. I have lived in many different states: GA, CA, NJ, OK, and NV. My professional background is in personal and commercial insurance before I switched over as a full time SAHM. I speak fluent Tagalog (Filipino) and English. I am learning ASL to teach my son as well.

When did you start taking classes with PYLV?

I started taking classes with PYLV during my 2nd trimester of pregnancy which was around March 2023.

What have you learned since taking classes with PYLV?

I have learned so much since taking classes with PYLV but one of the things that stuck to me is that having a strong group of women during pregnancy and motherhood is very important. Sharing stories and experiences with other moms definitely make it very enjoyable.

What is your favorite yoga pose?

My favorite yoga pose is the tree pose.

How has your practice impact your parenting?

My practice has impacted my parenting tremendously. The strength I have now - mentally, physically and emotionally is amazing.

What would you tell a new parent considering taking prenatal or baby & me yoga classes?

Go for it! If you’ve never tried yoga before - do it! The community is so welcoming and supportive of each other. The best thing about joining PYLV is finding new mom friends for you and new baby friends for your baby.

January 2024 Student Spotlight - Emily Frasca

We bid a heartfelt farewell to one of our dearest and longest-standing PYLV students, Emily Frasca. Emily, along with her family, is embarking on an exciting new journey as they relocate to South Dakota. Since the inception of PYLV, Emily has been a loyal and dedicated student. Emily shares how yoga has impacted her parenting journey and life, "Yoga has been crucial in my self care during pregnancy and through postpartum, helping me reconnect with my body. Yoga is my me time and helps to keep me balanced and calm through tough times."

Emily's vibrant presence in our community has left a lasting impact, and she will be greatly missed by both her peers and our community. Emily shares words of wisdom to new parents, "Trust your instincts. You know more than you think! Your heart will know what’s best for baby."

As she ventures into this new chapter of her life, we extend our warmest wishes for success and happiness to Emily and her family.

How to stay sane with a high needs baby

Guest post written by Tiphanie Sparks, Doula & CLC

Each postpartum journey is different. Every baby is its own unique soul. The (m)other is also in a different spot mentally, physically, and emotionally after each birth. I thought I understood this as I prepared myself and my family for our second child. But I was not prepared. I was not prepared for the heavy emotional labor of my second child. I was not prepared to be needed so much.

My first child was very (well still is) independent. They loved sleeping. They preferred that I not hold them all the time. They only wanted to snuggle on their terms. My second child is the exact opposite. This child needs to be near me at all times. This child prefers that I hold or carry them, always. This child is so loud. This child knows how to cry and does so with such force and passion. And for the first few weeks of life, this child would only sleep when they were on me.

A few months into my postpartum journey the pandemic hit and we were in lock-down mode. Just as I was getting ready to "get back out there" I was forced to stay in. I started to see and feel signs of postpartum depression, OCD, anxiety, and rage. Postpartum rage was new to me and it scared the shit out of me when it would happen. I was touched-out, drained, and a walking zombie just going through the motions. Through previous battles with perinatal mood disorders, and my experience as a postpartum doula, I knew I needed to take action before things spiraled further.

I began to go on daily, morning walks. I needed to get out of my head, so I began to journal and meditate. I also had SEVERAL good cries. Ultimately I recognized that I was not taking care of myself. I did not allow myself to take any breaks from my children nor did I ask for help. I was lost, alone, and scared. I was not giving myself permission to live a life beyond my children, as (m)others so often do.

It has taken me a moment to find my (m)otherhood "groove" with baby number two. Staying sane is a daily practice. A huge key to staying sane is giving yourself permission to do these three things below.

Give yourself permission to put yourself first.

Seriously. Read this again. PUT YOURSELF FIRST. If you're not healthy physically, mentally, and emotionally, this is not going to work. Take care of yourself first so you can take care of the others around you.

Give yourself permission to take a break.

We all need alone time! We all need time to reconnect with ourselves. There are no breaks with (m)otherhood. You are on 24/7. Taking time to be alone, away from your littles is huge! I know this part is hard right now, considering we are in the middle of a pandemic. Give yourself a “spa” day at home. Get outside and go for a walk. Take a drive. Do something where you are alone and getting a break. Small, daily actions of self-care are life-changing.

Give yourself permission to ask for help.

It is okay to ask for help, even if you do not know what you need. Don't be ashamed. Don't be afraid. You do not have to do it all.

Practicing the list above is a daily challenge for me. Honestly, I probably wrote this as a reminder to myself. A reminder that it is okay to not be the perfect parent. It is okay to be upset and sad. It is okay to ask for help and take breaks. It is okay to lean on your support circle.

In order to be there for my family, I have to give myself permission to live a life beyond my children. I have to put myself first. I have to take breaks and I have to ask for help.

If you or someone you know needs help during their postpartum transition, please connect with me. We are not meant to do this alone.