Yoga | Birth | Babies

One of the best things about founding and developing Prenatal Yoga Center has been getting the chance to foster and grow our perinatal community. Throughout the months during (and after) their pregnancy, our students and staff get to know each other through rich dialogue where we work through things that come up, connect on shared experiences, and learn from different ones! Being so invested in their journey leading up to birth, I always feel fortunate when I get to hear how baby came into the world. So today, we have one of my favorite episode types: a community birth story. On today’s episode of Yoga| Birth| Babies, we have former prenatal student Alicia Krakauer. Alicia is a born and bred New Yorker, a musical theater actress, and singer songwriter. After finishing her graduate degree at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in London, she met her husband Liam back in 2014. They now live back in her hometown of NYC, and have just welcomed their first baby boy, Alastair, who was born at Lenox Hill just like hi

Have you ever thought about the importance of having your body internally balanced for labor and birth? Today we discuss The Body Ready Method and how it can assist you in your birth, because let’s be honest: so much of a functional birth is the work we do ahead of time! On today’s episode of Yoga| Birth| Babies I’m speaking with Taylor Lee Bello, a Body Ready Method Professional and Birth Doula serving NYC and the tri-state area. Her practice enhances the body for birth, empowers new parents, and ultimately supports optimal labor and delivery experiences through hands-on work, comfort measures and emotional support, while advocating for her clients to experience their desired birth outcome. If you’ve ever wondered about where to open the pelvis to help baby through, as well as what to do when/if labor stalls, then this episode is for you. Bringing so much insight into the conversation, Taylor gives new and expectant parents the advice to always ask why! She stresses the importance of seeking options and af

Today we’re talking about how to overcome, and avoid, traumatic childbirth experiences. My guest for this conversation, Rebecca, shared with me a statistic that blew my mind: 35-45% of people report having a traumatic birth… An absolutely enormous number! Throughout our conversation, Rebecca shares some key factors that play a role resulting in traumatic birth experiences, red flags to keep an eye out for when working with your care provider, and 3 top-tier tips for preparing for childbirth. Additionally, we go into her expert’s take on elective labor induction, how to advocate for yourself, and different birthing positions. We round out our wonderful conversation with how parents and those in the birth team can learn to advocate for themselves if they are feeling pressured or coerced by their care provider. The information in this conversation is so rich and I’m hoping that by the end of this conversation, you’re going to feel so much more ready to move into that experience and have the confidence of your te

Today I am so excited for you to hear this conversation on one of my favorite subjects: diastasis recti. This is a conversation I especially wanted to have because I love learning and teaching about diastasis and the pelvic floor! We talk about what diastasis is, the misconceptions, how to heal, and what we can do to strengthen the linea alba. Anna and I dive right in, and full disclosure: we get a little geeky. We have a special guest today on Yoga | Birth | Babies, Anna Hammond. Anna has her doctorate in physical therapy and has been a physical therapist (DPT) for 15 years. She’s an orthopedic certified specialist and a certified strength and conditioning coach. She’s now the head PT at Core Exercise Solutions, where she assists in program development, creating continuing education, mentorship, 1:1 consultations, and leading their Learning Through Applications membership. I myself completed the Pregnancy and Postpartum Corrective Exercise Specialist certification program a few years ago when I wanted to le

Today we have a beautiful community birth story from Prenatal Yoga Center graduate, Courtney Vasserman! I personally loved this story and think it will be inspiring, relatable, and encouraging for our community to listen to. Courtney takes us through how she prepared for birth, including the methodology and tools she found incredibly impactful from classes at PYC, along with the coping skills she used and how those varied from early labor, to active labor, to transition. This story is absolutely beautiful, as Courtney speaks on the empowerment and trust she found in her body, yet honest in the sense that she doesn’t shy away from describing her postpartum challenges- pelvic floor issues, breastfeeding struggles, and feelings of isolation. I appreciate how she opens the curtain to what a lot of people experience, and offers affirmation to those who need know they aren’t alone and will get through it. Sharing her birth story today on Yoga | Birth | Babies, Prenatal Yoga Center graduate Courtney Vasserman grew

Have you thought about what happens right after baby is born?  Today we dive into what to expect following baby’s birth and how to navigate the first 12 weeks of life.  We discuss many topics including umbilical cord care, circumcision care and even how to bathe your baby.  We also dive into the subject of feeding and what to anticipate the first week.  Although the newborn phase may be overwhelming, our guest Dr. Wendy Hunter, approaches this conversation in an accessible way that makes it easy to follow and understand.   Dr. Wendy Hunter joins us to have this discussion today on, Yoga| Birth| Babies.  Wendy Hunter, MD is a pediatrician in San Diego, CA. She rounds on newborns at Scripps Hospital. Her podcast “The Pediatrician Next Door'' mixes the science of medicine with the realities of parenting.  She incorporates integrative therapies into her practice. Dr. Hunter would like to normalize the anxiety parents may feel during the newborn phase.  She encourages parents to recognize the anxiety they feel d

You may be more aware of what you are eating during pregnancy, however, have you considered how nutrition may affect your birth and postpartum?  In today’s discussion we explore gut health and how your body works during the prenatal and postnatal phase.  We look at gut issues and the treatment for these issues.  We also dive into a conversation around bowel movements because this can tell you so much about your digestive health.  This is an informative discussion that will help you make the connection between what you eat and how it affects your body, especially during pregnancy.  On this episode of Yoga| Birth| Babies, we welcome Bridgitte Mallinson to have this conversation.  Bridgitte is a functional medicine dietitian, business mentor and the founder and CEO of GutPersonal, a supplement company that empowers everyone to eliminate gut issues for good through a personalized approach.  After healing a lifelong struggle with her gut, she has spent a decade studying functional medicine and nutrition as a regis

Do you find it harder to create friendships as an adult?  Today we talk about friendships and how they can be difficult to navigate, especially during parenthood.  Our guest discusses common conflicts that arise between parents as well as ways to better maintain these connections.  If you are a parent or an expectant parent, this conversation will shed light on why friendships are more complex during this phase.  Our guest Danielle, is easy to talk to and gives great advice for parents navigating these new waters.   To dive deeper into this topic, on Yoga| Birth| Babies, we have Danielle Bayard Jackson.  Danielle is a female friendship coach and educator who speaks nationally about the science of women’s platonic connections.  She is also the author of Fighting for Our Friendships (May 2024).  Danielle’s coaching business, Friend Forward, is dedicated to teaching women how to create and maintain better female friendships.  Danielle recommends that parents should be intentional with their time.  She says it’s

Have you considered how your endocrine system might affect your fertility or pregnancy?  Today we dive into the topic of endocrine disruptors and how they may adversely affect your system.   Although these endocrine disruptors are everywhere in our environment, the good news is there are ways to limit your exposure.  Our guest today shares practical tips that you can use immediately to limit your exposure to these environmental factors.  She gives great advice on how to find a healthy balance that will benefit your family and the next generation.   To have this conversation, we welcome Sarah Thompson on this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies.  Sarah is a board-certified diplomat of oriental medicine, certified functional medicine practitioner, and birth doula. She is also the author of Functional Maternity – Using Functional Medicine and Nutrition to Improve Pregnancy and Childbirth Outcomes. Sarah recommends that parents should try to control what they can in their environment and let go of what they cannot contr

Have you considered using midwifery care for your birth?  Perhaps you have questions about what a midwife does or how they differ from a traditional OBGYN.  Today we are going to talk all about midwives.  I think midwives are fantastic, they hold a special place in my heart because my own births were attended by a midwife.  In this conversation we will dive deeper into the midwifery model of care.  What is a midwife?  What are some misconceptions around midwifery care?  How does midwifery differ from a more traditional OBGYN?  What is a midwife’s involvement in labor and birth?  Who’s a good candidate to work with a midwife?  We got you covered on so many topics about midwifery, if you had any doubt of what midwifery was, by the end of this conversation you will be crystal clear. Casey is full of passion and knowledge, I am really excited for you to hear her perspective and all her wonderful ideas!  To have this conversation, I have Casey Selzer joining us today on Yoga| Birth| Babies.  Casey Selzer, CNM, is

We’re back with my favorite type of podcast episode, a birth story!  We’ve been able to create an amazing community of students here at PYC.  I see many of these students twice, sometimes three time a week.  I get to know them, hear their stories, listen to their concerns and I am able to share with them what I’ve learned.  Today we have Katie Lohiya, sharing her birth story.  She has been part of our PYC community since she was 13 weeks pregnant.  She attended class 2-3 times per week, even when she wasn’t in NYC she would join online, which I absolutely adored. I was able get to know Katie well.  We have a similar background, we are both dancers and performers and I resonated with her.  When I asked her to share her birth story she said “absolutely.” Katie tells a beautiful birth story.  I am deeply honored that as she was explaining her story, her time at PYC was very much interwoven into her birth.  I am very appreciative that the time we spent together helped her throughout her labor experience.  On toda

How does the health of the pelvic floor impact birth?  It is so important to have a healthy pelvic floor in order to have a functional birth and a healthy body.  This is one of my favorite topics!  If you’ve been a listener of Yoga| Birth| Babies, you know that anytime I have an opportunity to talk about the pelvic floor, I will bring an expert on to do so.  Not only have I picked the brain of many experts on this topic, I have taken multiple certifications focused on pelvic floor health. Today we will talk about the function of the pelvic floor, how it impacts birth, how to prepare the pelvic floor for birth and ways to relax the pelvic floor.  We will also discuss Kegels and their role in pelvic floor balance. To have this conversation, I have Kara Mortifoglio joining us today on Yoga| Birth| Babies. Kara is a pelvic health specialist, and co-owns a physical therapy practice in Manhattan, Long Island and Westchester.  She specializes in treating all pelvic floor disorders including pregnancy, postpartum, bl

Should you do strength training while pregnant?  Today we will talk about strength training for pregnancy, birth and beyond.  This is a topic that is near and dear to my heart because I believe that strength training can help prepare your body for birth, help you be more comfortable during pregnancy, and help you rehab postpartum.  In this conversation we will discuss common misconceptions about strength training during pregnancy, including safe practices, warning signs and when to return to strength training postpartum.   To dive into this conversation on Yoga| Birth| Babies, we have Nicole Scheitlin.  She is the Founder of Strong Mama Wellness and mom of two. Nicole is a Certified Exercise Physiologist, Pre/Postnatal Fitness Specialist, and Health Coach with over 12 years of experience in the fitness industry. Nicole would like to encourage new parents to think of exercise as a way to support their bodies through their natural changes and move away from seeing exercise as a way to achieve an aesthetic goal.

Parents are you thinking about your child’s growth and development and how to help them hit their milestones?  Our guest today is an occupational therapist who focuses on sensory play for babies.  In this discussion she talks about why sensory play is important for your baby and how you can integrate it into your daily activities.  She reviews the different senses and shares that there are actually eight of them, I thought there were only five!  We also have a conversation about the importance of toys and how they have an impact on your child’s development and sensory awareness.   Little secret, when it comes to toys, less is more and without batteries is even better.   We welcome Allie Ticktin on this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies.  Allie is an occupational therapist specializing in sensory integration.  She is the founder of Play 2 Progress and the author of the book, ‘Play to Progress: Lead Your Child to Success Using the Power of Sensory Play.’Allie believes that the best way to support children is by armi

Today we have a birth story from one of our community members Sydney Pollock.  I had the privilege of watching Sydney go through her whole pregnancy at PYC.  She started taking class very early in her pregnancy and the last class that she took was the day her water broke, two days before she was supposed to be induced!  Sydney shares her birth story with me and recounts the surprises that happened during her experience.   As we were talking about the highs and lows and some of the unanticipated outcomes of her birth, she spoke about how her care provider was incredibly supportive.  The way her birth team treated her made the difference between her having a dramatic birth experience versus a traumatic one.  Sydney’s birth story is an example of how birth doesn’t have to go exactly how we envisioned for it to feel empowering.  Birth can have its unexpected turns, but you don’t have to be traumatized by it.  Despite its twists and turns, you can still feel incredibly supported and taken care of by the people aro

What is PCOS and how does it affect fertility?  Today we will discuss PCOS – Polycystic ovarian syndrome and how it impacts infertility and pregnancy.  If you have PCOS, this conversation will give you information on how to advocate for your best pregnancy.  As we dive into this topic, we will examine the role the environment plays on the endocrine system and on hormones in general.  After having this conversation, I actually went through my beauty products and cleaning supplies and got rid of many of them.  As I learned more about this subject, I realized how delicate our bodies are and how outside factors can greatly influence our health, especially when looking at PCOS.   We welcome Doreen Block and Dr. Aumatma Simmons on this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies.   Doreen Bloch is the Founder of ELLEMENT, the first personalized prenatal supplement company. She is a Forbes 30 Under 30 CEO who has pioneered a patent-pending prenatal supplement solution after discovering the challenges with bioavailability and custo

We have a beautiful birth story today, that I am excited to share with you!  Perhaps you are moving through your own pregnancy or birth experience right now and wondering what it will be like.  Something to think about as this story unfolds, is the importance of a flexible mind.   A student in class shared with me that she was feeling very tight in her hips and concerned that her tension would affect how she gave birth.  I told her that birth didn’t necessarily require a flexible body, however, it did require a flexible mind.  My guest Rikke, demonstrated this ability as she worked with the twists and turns of her birth and had a beautiful experience. She discusses how even though it wasn’t the birth she envisioned, ultimately it was supportive and peaceful. Today on Yoga| Birth| Babies, I speak with Rikke Le Kirkegaard, to learn about her extraordinary birth experience.  Rikki is originally from Denmark and has lived in New York since 2019 with her Italian husband.  She has worked for UNICEF since 2015 – fir

Do you feel overwhelmed by all the parenting choices available now?  In today’s podcast we discuss feeling confident in your choices as a parent.  We have so much information at our fingertips in 2024, it can be challenging to sort it all out.  Perhaps you feel conflicted about where to find reliable information or maybe you are experiencing decision fatigue.   I’ve invited Sharon Mazel, internationally recognized pregnancy and parenting expert, to talk about how we can feel grounded and confident in our parenting choices.  In this conversation, we also discuss myths surrounding baby’s first year, navigating milestones and how to make choices that are right for you and your family.      We welcome Sharon Mazel on this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies.   Sharon is an internationally recognized parenting and pregnancy expert, author, journalist, speaker, parenting coach, and mom of four with over 25 years of experience in the field. Sharon is the author of Bite-Sized Parenting: Your Baby’s First Year and was previo

How would you like your partner to be involved during pregnancy and birth?  Today we dive into a conversation about birth partners and their role in supporting you through your birth experience.  We talk about how to prepare ahead of time by discussing the expectations and dynamics that influence both the emotional and physical aspects of birth and pregnancy.  Sometimes partners are nervous about being involved, however, in this conversation we highlight ways to help them get past that fear so they may be the best partner they can be for you.   On this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, we welcome Yiska Obadia.  Yiska is a passionate teacher and healing arts practitioner, with over 25 years of experience as a massage therapist, acupuncturist and birth doula. Yiska would like to encourage expecting parents to prepare and educate themselves about birth and postpartum as much as possible.  She believes that when parents set up a support system and work as a team, they may have a more positive birth and postpartum exp

Today we have a community birth story.  I love sharing birth stories because they are inspiring and confidence building.  Listening to different scenarios and various journeys, releases the idea that birth has to happen in one way.  Today’s guest, Aly Grobeck, offers a wonderful story filled with humor and candidness.  I really appreciate Aly sharing how important it was for her to listen to her body and stand up for herself throughout her experience.  This is something we talk about in yoga, learning how to listen to your body’s cues, so that when you are in labor, you have the awareness to do what is best for you and your baby.   On this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, we welcome Aly Grobeck, one of our PYC students.  She was born and raised in NYC on the upper west side.  She is now preparing to go back to her digital marketing job in the beauty industry after six months of maternity leave. Aly would like to encourage expecting parents to birth with courage and know that they are strong enough to navigate wh