Using the tools: Body Assessment: Each morning, stretch your arms high overhead. Then, standing at your bedside, note your posture with arms by your sides. Slowly, rock your body back and forth – not at the waist but at your hips (imagine femoral heads lubricating the hip socket). Notice when you come to center. This is your neutral. Your tailbone should not be tucked, nor should you find a significant low arch in your spine. Pelvic points should be aiming in the direction of your gaze.
Reflection: If your pelvic bowl is open forward, with a pronounced low arch in your spine, you may have your sights on the future. If your bowl is tipped back, creating a compressive rounding-out in your low back, tailbone tucked, you may be in a state of fear. We all bring our best to the table when we are present, which means neutral and in a space of love.
Breathing: Lay on the floor and either alone or with your child, place an object on your belly. In movement classes, we often use a faux flower. Notice the flower or object rising up toward the sky with each in-breath. With your exhales, see or feel the flower moving down toward the earth, belly button moving to mat. If you have a small baby or child, allow them to be the object, or to monitor the movement of what you have chosen as your breathing guide.
Grounding: Are you on the floor yet? Beginning with your mind, notice your thoughts. Bring your awareness to your emotions – feelings. Notice what you hear, taste. Notice physical sensations and sight. Finally, notice smells. Smell is the most primal sense. Adding to your toolbox, a scent may offer reconnection to the present moment. Essential oils such as citrus blends augment being.
These peaceworking amalgamations of body and mind-
awareness techniques welcome parent, child, or both into a space of nurture. It is here that two beings might just finally find themselves happy, healthy, or whole. Here, they might just find the rhythm of interconnection and individuation, and a safe space for manifesting love.
Jennifer Magnano is the owner of Mamoga Wellness, LLC in Amston, CT. Jennifer spends her time teaching, training, writing, and advocating on behalf of women, infant, child and maternal health, and has been active in various forms of fitness, dance, movement, wellness and art since age 4. She has been practicing yoga and meditation for over 17 years. With a background and degrees in Healthcare Management and Biology, Jennifer has worked in veterinary and “human” medicine since the age of 14. She has certifications in Yoga for Children and Women and is an ACE Core Training Specialist. She is certified to teach Hypnobirthing, has been an energy practitioner since 2009, and trained in Mindfulness- based Stress Reduction for Mothers. Jennifer works on a part- time basis for the March of Dimes with families experiencing the challenges of prematurity, birth loss, and birth defects. In 2014, Jennifer will begin to teach Peaceworking for the New England Institute of Healing Arts and Sciences. Additionally, Jennifer follows holistic, whole-self empowerment and attachment philosophy, is a member of the Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association and Postpartum Support International, and offers workshops and presentations state-wide on The Yoga of Birthing, Autoimmune Dis-Ease & Painfree Living, Women’s Strong (personal) Training, and Family Yoga/Fitness. Jennifer can be reached for speaking engagements, class or personal training, and discoveryshops at:
jennifer@bekindandunwind.com or at 860-245-YOGA. You can visit her on the web at
bekindandunwind.com.
December 2013 – February 2014 19
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122