In the Moment with Jen

A little love for @vlove613. Not only is she an amazing dance teacher but did you know she is an artist too?! Some of you I’m only connected with here but over in FB land I made a post about how one my greatest joys pre-covid was Vanessa’s weekly hip hop class at Flava Factory. And since it feels like dancing in person with humans (other than my family) is but a dream, Vanessa agreed to teach a workshop via zoom. (I may or may not have bugged her a few times this past yea...r but she’s said yes!) It’s happening this Monday evening! DM me if you’d like to join.

My son’s first words to me this morning were: I made a Tik Tok video last night and I think it’s funny but I’m not sure you’ll think it’s funny. #1. I love that since it’s about guns he’s a little nervous about how I’ll receive it. #2. He’s 14 and still gives a shit what I think. ... #3. I think it is funny. And clever. And well since there’s no way I’m cool with him having a public account, I’m sharing here.

Government announcements got you feeling like?!.... Today I am making my public declaration that I will do a front flip on the trampoline by summer solstice. (Even though I kinda feel like barfing every bounce I take!) Anybody else have something they’re working on?! Serious or silly?

Found this while tidying out a drawer the other day. Oh how I miss in person classes! AND what a year it’s been learning to teach and work with others online. I’ve been cooking up a little something something combining my love of teaching, Birthing From Within, Yoga Therapy & Polyvagal Theory....

World Doula Week you say?! This photo was taken one year ago today, when I attended my last birth before doulas were shut out from providing in person support for birthing parents. It was a twin cesarean birth with a mom who was new to Canada and had no family support. ... I met her that morning when I picked her up from her shelter. She only spoke French, we talked baby names and we prayed together, as that was what felt supportive for her. It was my first time in the operating room since my own cesarean, now 14 hrs ago. I still wonder and can’t help but worry about all that has changed this past year for birthing and new parents. May it be that resilience reigns and that folks continue to find creative and connected ways of supporting one another in our second year of pandemic living. Love to all of you

Tough day to wake up and remember wtf happened in the states yesterday while trying to make sense of how to go on homeschooling , parenting, working over the next few winter months with our new provincial guidelines. My brain and body are tired. I miss hugs and laughing and daydreams of travelling to see friends and loved ones. At camp we used to do this thing called warm fuzzies, we’d each take turns writing things we liked or noticed or acknowledged about one another. We...’d write our warm fuzzy on a piece of paper and each person would have an envelope filled with lovely (sometimes silly) notes from others. Anyone got a warm fuzzy moment they’d like to share, maybe like a mini burst of serotonin or dopamine for this tired ole bird and for each other?! Clever puns or jokes count! I’ll go first...I fed lots of animals these past few days-like up close, felt their fuzzy winter coats and wet noses. My kids kept saying wow, they’re so majestic...

Becoming pregnant and carrying to full term is not as straightforward for some as it is for others. The process can sometimes be stressful and lonely for many folks. This is a Yoga Therapy class series for anyone who might like to develop or build upon a practice to make space to nurture you as you prepare to nurture another.

My eldest’s first pay check! I’ve never really been one to post about their life in my social media, but I am proud of this guy. And he’s pretty pleased with himself too! I’m a busy body, been working and volunteering since 14. First with a paper route, then at the Rideau Centre food court , followed by a cashier at Canadian Tire. (While I volunteered at community centres, then worked as a youth coordinator there and at camps).... Resting, sitting still and feeling enough have always been challenging for me and even more so since becoming a mom following challenging birthing experiences. Coming up to 14yrs since this one was born and anniversaries are always filled with mixed emotions for me. These days I am reflecting how my traumatic birthing experiences not only set me on path in motherhood but in my work supporting folks through Yoga Therapy. What work have you done that might surprise folks?!

Most folks have heard about Postpartum Depression, some are familiar with Postpartum Anxiety but very rarely do we discuss Birth Trauma or Postnatal PTSD. I dan...ce between heartbreak and gratitude for the work that I was "born" to do in this world. I feel the mixture of feelings every time a parent reaches out for support-thankful they are no longer struggling to figure it all out on their own and broken hearted for their grief and struggles that a traumatic birthing experience can bring to their lives In February, I will be launching my first Yoga Therapy class for Birth-Related Trauma It will be online, 5 participants, and you can find out more details through Bloom Integrative Health & Movement Centre. This is a great article discussing Birth Trauma for parents and professionals.

I had been stumbling my way through Yoga Nidra for years. In my own life, usually in the middle of the night to help with falling back to sleep, AND I had been using elements of yoga nidra in my yoga work with folks (probably for this past decade?) mostly as guided type relaxations. Learning from Shaura in this course (offered through the AMAZING Minded Institute in the UK) was incredibly insightful, loaded with Yoga Philosophy and Modern Neuroscience. I am embracing my in...ner geek these days, deeply grateful to continue learning with some wise teachers. I’ve been ogling and in awe of how neuroscience research (and neuroplasticity!) is revealing how much insight has come through over time and space (and cultural appropriation!) from ancient practices to help us regulate our nervous systems and find deeper rest and nourishment in our paths towards wellbeing. I Yoga Nidra !