Practise breathing

Practise how to breathe? Most people don’t even notice that they breathe. It is just a natural process, taken for granted. Why would you need to practice something that’s so natural?!

Because it is such an underused source of well-being. If there was only one think that I could teach my prenatal students it would be to use their breath to their advantage.

Therefore, I often let the breath be the theme of my prenatal classes. Encouraging my students to feel it rocking the body, observe it rise and fall,  elongate it, invite the breath to move the body in different directions, in various parts of their chest and belly. Inspiring them to let the breath determine the phase of the movements.

Getting to know your breath may take practice. But it is going to be worth every minute you invest in it. When it’s time for birth and you can use it to support you and your baby’s efforts you will be happy you learnt to know your breath.

Dear child,

Can you feel how I, with each exhalation, give you a gentle hug with my belly?

Sensitive

In a city like Bangkok, noise and smells can be overwhelming for anyone. And a real challenge for pregnant ladies.

Sometimes I feel so over sensitive. Smells, noises, people: anything seems to send my senses into full alarm mood. I like to think that it is my body being ultra alert on any potential dangers that may be threatening my baby.

My heightened sense of smell tells me if the food is not good to eat. – Or that there are just too many food stalls around. I would be the first to recommend breathing through the nose that at least offers a bit of filter. However, when in desperate need for a break from smells, I do the obvious: breath through my mouth. Even in the Bangkok traffic.

I even think my sense of hearing is more sensitive, maybe warning me from approaching dangers – like Bangkok drivers.

When talking to people I’m definitely more sensitive than usual. Ask my dear, dear friends and yoga teacher colleagues Joung-Ah and Wolfgang: I have a 100 % crying rate when we meet up.

Do you feel extra sensitive in any way?

Dear child,

I know that my hormones are playing with both my body and feelings. It’s a bit challenging at times, but it’s of course worth it.

Tossing and turning

Many pregnant ladies find it hard to sleep at night. I’m no exception.

Either I wake up from weird dreams or nightmares, or I need to go for a pipi or it’s just like pure insomnia. But I have a few tricks that usually help:

  • Take time to wind down in the evening: no TV/ computer just before bedtime
  • Do a few forward bends and meditate before getting into bed
  • Instead of tossing and turning, come into child’s pose, but roll over on your left side before you fall asleep like that.

How do you get yourself to sleep the whole night?

Dear child,

I suspect you are giving me a preview of what nights can be like once you join us in this world? Thanks for the opportunity to practise!