Chill Out, Mama! Four Tips on Managing Stress in Pregnancy

One of the best gifts you can give your baby and yourself is a calm, clear mind and a relaxed body and nervous system. Why? Your unborn baby receives chemical messages through the bloodstream through that amazing organ we call the placenta. Its really a neglected little miracle, that placenta; it provides nourishment for your developing baby for months on end. Make sure that the hormones you send to your little one are mainly loving and peaceful ones. This is not meant to give anyone a guilt trip! Au contraire, this brief article will clue you in on a few small steps you can take to help manage stress while expecting.

1. Physical exercise. Getting regular exercise is a major stress buster. I know, many of us hate to work out at gyms or jog on sidewalks. Perhaps theres even a dusty exercise contraption lurking in your garage or closet. One way to get around this is to enlist a friend to join you, to keep each other accountable. Find something you like to domaybe its swimming or rollerskating (check with your health care provider before beginning any new exercise regime, just to be sure). You dont have to take a prenatal yoga class to be fit; just be creative and have fun.

2. Dietary Supplements. here in Southern California, we are blessed to have access to a wide variety of health food products. And thanks to the Internet, you can find quality dietary supplements wherever you happen to live. Make sure youre getting enough B-complex and C vitamins. (Both are water soluble which means that you need a fresh supply every day; that also means that its much harder to overdose on them since the excess gets secreted when you urinate.) Youve probably read about the importance of taking enough folic acid during acid (its one of the B vitamins). You may not have heard that we use up more B-complex vitamins when under stress (as well as while taking oral contraceptives).

3. Herbs. When correctly used, herbs can be of great benefit for pregnancy, birth and lactationand in any phase of life. first, a word of caution: it is important to check with a knowledgeable professional if you are unsure about which herbs to use and how much. Herbs like valerian, for instance, can be quite potent. Generally speaking, however, store-bought teas are carefully labeled and packaged in safe doses. Look for a nice, soothing tea with chamomile, lemon verbena and orange peel. If you find one with peppermint, thats a plus since the mint can calm an upset tummy. Be sure to avoid herbs that have a steroidal effect (like licorice and ginseng) and anything that causes uterine contractions, especially if you have had repeat miscarriages or cervical problems.

4. Roomy Scheduling. Does it ever seem like your day is jam-packed with activities and deadlines? Instead of rushing from one appointment to the next, try to allow for extra time in between. That way, if theres a traffic jam or some other unexpected foul-up, you still have moments to spare. Sure, we all want to feel productive, and yet, if you are carrying a baby, youre indeed re-productive. Your body is already working hard to bring new life into the world, so be easy on yourself. Give yourself big gaps in the day to just BE. Trust me when I say that you are doing a huge service to yourself and your baby.

Again, YOU are your babys greatest asset. Who else will be there when your child falls and scrapes her knee? Who else will understand him and feel as close to him as you? Pregnancy is a time to celebrate new life, to connect with the awesomeness of creation. This is also an opportunity to learn new ways to nurture your self. Reducing stress, using any of the tips above, is one way that you take care of your own needs, to the benefit of your familys future.

Christy Callahan, M.A. is a writer, educator and life coach with a passion for nurturing babies and parents from pre-conception to early childhood. If you're expecting or trying to conceive, visit the Prenatal Coaching website, http://www.prenatalcoaching.com, to request a free six-page report on Overcoming the Seven Roadblocks to a Satisfying Birth.

Francisco Iyengar San Teacher Yoga

The Purpose of Yoga - Anger Management Secrets Of Pranayama

How come some Yogis seem so even tempered? How do yoga practitioners manage to establish control over fits of anger? Will any yoga technique help those who become physically violent? Let's look at some Yogic methods to empower you to take control of your feelings and anger.

Yogic breathing techniques (Pranayama) are highly underrated by the public at large. Among the many powers of Pranayama is the ability to release anger and tension from within your body and mind. yoga teachers guide their students in a number of Pranayama techniques.

here is a sample of a Pranayama technique, which you can use for anger management. Inhale for four seconds, hold for seven seconds, and exhale for eight seconds. Do this four times, without making any noise, before you say a word.

You should learn to do this so quietly, a person standing next to you would not know. Eventually, you will be able to do this for a much longer time span, which is fine. The one to two ratio of inhale to exhale will expel your anger and rid your body of toxins.

This breathing pattern is sometimes called the 4-7-8 breath, but it can also be modified for people who can not breathe as deep. For example: You can modify this Pranayama to - inhale for two seconds, hold for four seconds, and exhale for four seconds.

This breathing sequence is a 2-4-4 breath. The one to two ratio of inhale to exhale has still been maintained, but the sequence has been modified for those who have a shallow breath. When possible, the breath can be lengthened as the lungs get used to harnessing the air flow.

Extended breath retention may have to be modified to meet your needs. In the case of dizziness, pregnancy, high blood pressure, and breathing disorders, you should consult with a physician before practicing breathing techniques.

paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, has written many books on the subject of yoga. He is a co-owner and the Director of yoga Teacher training at: aura Wellness Center, in Attleboro, MA. http://www.riyoga.com He has been a certified Master Yoga Teacher since 1995. To receive a Free yoga e-Book: "yoga in practice," and a Free yoga Newsletter, please visit: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html

Copyright 2007 paul Jerard / aura Publications

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