This 4-week workshop combines yoga and a support circle to join women in this powerful and often overwhelming time in their lives. The class starts with 30 minutes of mindful movement and is followed by 45 minutes of gathering to discuss all that can come up as a mother. This circle is aimed at providing you with a community of women who can support each other and develop lasting bonds in this journey of motherhood. Each week of the series will cover a different topic.
YOGA:
Yoga is taught by Leah Skinner, RYT, and RPYT. The short class offers women the opportunity to establish an overall sense of well-being, and learn breathing techniques and postures to help support the body and mind during the transition to motherhood. There will be time for connection with other mothers, as well as deep rest and relaxation. Our classes are open to any woman after doctors release postpartum. The class is a nurturing environment designed to stretch and strengthen muscles, energize the body, soothe aches and pains, relieve stress and anxiety, and overcome the common discomforts from postpartum. No prior yoga experience needed.
CIRCLE:
What does a circle look like?
When in circle we all put our attention on one woman, and we will explore what her experience is like, essentially getting into deep relationship with what is most true and alive for her.
The experience of being seen for who we are is one of the most fullfilling experiences we can have. Being in circle teaches us exactly that­, how to see and celebrate each woman for the uniqueness she brings to the world.
We don’t give advice or try to fix anyone. Rather, we welcome and stay with what is so we can relax into the truth of our experience, feel supported, know we are not alone and allow the experience of this to change us.

Childcare is available in the lobby during class for $5 per child.


ABOUT LEAH:
Leah moved to Bend in 2015 from Austin, TX where she was an environmental scientist. After moving to Bend, Leah moved into exclusively teaching prenatal yoga and birth education. She completed her prenatal yoga training with Yo Mama in Boulder, CO and her birth education teacher training with Yoga Way to Birth in Portland, OR. Leah is the proud mother of two girls. Her desire to work exclusively with mothers came quickly once she found her power becoming a mother herself. In her free time, Leah enjoys running and mountain biking as well as traveling the world with her husband and daughters. Leah teaches pain management techniques, mindfulness, and partner support during pregnancy and birth for Bend Area Birth Information.

ABOUT SHANTI: 
Shanti is a mother of two soulful, wild, silly, energetic children. Before children, she counseled at-risk youth and teen moms. However, the experience of giving birth and becoming a mom radically changed her. From that transition, she discovered her deeper calling, working with mothers.

When she is not with her children she is facilitating retreats, circles and groups, teaching TRE, meditation and chakra healing classes, hosting ceremonies, and working one on one helping women heal.

Shanti is a change maker, an activist, a healer, a community builder, a storyteller, a mother, and a truth teller. She is a nationally certified counselor with a Masters in Counseling. She is a licensed teacher, a certified hypnotherapist, and a Reiki Master. She has trainings in TRE (trauma release exercises), PPD, Advanced Pranic Healing, and trauma.

Everything Shanti does is in service to women, especially mothers. She is deeply passionate about helping women heal so they can be the powerful, loving, soulful individual they long to be and know they are.


INVESTMENT:
This is priced as a regularly scheduled class, meaning a drop-in is $17 and there are options for 5, 10 and 20 class cards as well as monthly memberships. Class cards include ALL classes at Tula Movement Arts and can be shared among family members. Family memberships are also available.