Fear and Pain are inextricably linked in Childbirth - one exacerbates the other. This class shines the light of awareness on the biological, personal, social and institutional fears we have around childbirth and on the nature of Fear itself. The second part of the class examines how the body/mind system experiences and processes pain and how [...]
The Second Stage of Labour has a very different feel and purpose to it. This is the time when the baby moves from the open womb into the birth canal and journies to be born. It is characterised by the fetal ejection reflex which brings with it a totally different [...]
Over the last year through Yoga, Mindfulness and other therapeutic modalities I have dedicated my own practice to exploring and deepening my heart awareness and capacity for self-love, and love of others. In this special winter workshop at BatterseaYoga I would like to share some of the Yoga, Mindfulness and Therapeutic Practices I have learned along [...]
Session 1 What is Mindfulness? How Does it Relate to Childbirth and Parenting. In this first session we will explore what Mindfulness is, what it is't, how it differs to meditation and how it can transform our experience. Because this course is about childbirth and parenting we will also explore how mindfulness can alleviate the anxieties and discomforts [...]
BECOMING MOTHER: Bringing Mindfulness to Pregnancy Yoga with Nadia Raafat A half day session for Yoga teachers working with pregnancy to explore using Mindfulness in pregnancy yoga and birth education. The afternoon will include two short mindful flow classes; one floor based and the other upright and dynamic. The yoga sessions will be followed by a [...]
IS THERE A CASE FOR SLEEP TRAINING IN THE WORLD OF ATTACHMENT PARENTING? There has been a lot of commentary across ours and other sites from AP mums tip=toeing around certain sleep-training practices. I say tip-toe, becuase the word is often regarded as a dirty one in the AP world. As I find myself also [...]
Who needs the overwhelm factor of the London Baby Show when we have a fabulous one on our own doorstep? I am delighted to be participating once again in this great local and FREE event for expectant parents and parents of newborns to toddlers brought to you by Baby Intuition, Neighbourhood Midwives and Hello Mums. [...]
Becoming Mother's Nadia Raafat is delighted to offer (in conjunction with Birthlight) for the second time this year her one day training: Bringing Mindfulness to Pregnancy Yoga - a CPD for Pregnancy Yoga teachers and trainee teachers at the Synchroncity Yoga Studios in south London Pregnancy Yoga is inherently a mindful practice cultivating self-awareness and self-knowledge, [...]
Why do some first time mothers birth their babies in 20 minutes and others struggle on with a two hours plus Second stage? Why do some mothers breathe their babies out whilst others have to push? What are some of the obstacles to a smooth second stage and how can we do our best [...]
Holding Space is what Doulas do. Sometimes it happens seamlessly and beautifully; that connection, trust and presence. Other times it's edgy and difficult as our own fears are triggered. It doesn't matter how many births you have attended -what is brought to the space every time is unique. Doulas Riga Forbes and Nadia Raafat [...]