Embodied Initiations

Insights and observations on the sacred nature of fertility, pregnancy, birth, loss and motherhood

Birth, Prenatal, Yoga Dawn Leonard Birth, Prenatal, Yoga Dawn Leonard

Benefits of Prenatal Yoga

There are many benefits to practicing yoga in general. And these benefits are even more specific to practicing prenatal yoga. Some of the benefits are quantifiable through research studies. And since yoga is an ancient science, there are probably many more benefits to our lives that the yogis noted than our modern medicine can quantify.

Read More
Fertility, Reiki, Yoga Dawn Leonard Fertility, Reiki, Yoga Dawn Leonard

Connecting with the Body at the Second Chakra

Svadhistana Chakra (the second chakra or Sacral Chakra) energy is that of sexuality, sensuality, creativity, fertility, power and money. Therefore an energetic imbalance in our lives relating to sex, power, money or creativity may manifest as disease or illness within the pelvis, reproductive organs or the menstrual cycle.

Read More
Yoga, Motherhood, Prenatal Dawn Leonard Yoga, Motherhood, Prenatal Dawn Leonard

Yoga for First Trimester Fatigue

The first trimester of pregnancy is notorious for "morning sickness." While anyone who has been pregnant knows that the sickness is not contained to the morning, you may also be aware that there are many other symptoms in the first trimester that we also have to contend with, one of the other tough ones is fatigue. All-encompassing fatigue!

Read More
Yoga, Fertility Dawn Leonard Yoga, Fertility Dawn Leonard

Learn Headstand

As promised, here is the follow-up post and video to "Learn Shoulderstand." Today I will show you how to safely prepare and move into headstand or Sirsasana. As discussed earlier, a yoga practice includes physical, mental, emotional and spiritual benefits.

Read More
Yoga, Fertility Dawn Leonard Yoga, Fertility Dawn Leonard

Learn Shoulderstand

A yoga practice has many benefits including physical health, emotional balance and a spiritual connection with a source of power greater than ourselves. In the western world, we tend to focus on the physical health benefits such as strong muscles and endurance. In the sequence below, you will learn the step-by-step practice of shoulderstand with me.

Read More
Yoga Dawn Leonard Yoga Dawn Leonard

Short Prenatal or Postnatal Yoga Sequence

I would like to say thank you to Gabriela Spang for inspiring my to record more videos. So here's the first one. It doesn't have very high production value, but I hope that it gives you a little bit of inspiration for your own home practice, or as a brief intro to yoga if you've never attended a class. Then, when you are ready, you can join us in Prenatal Yoga on Wednesday evenings at Magnolia Birth Center. Thanks for watching.

Read More
Yoga Dawn Leonard Yoga Dawn Leonard

Supported Bound Angle Pose

Supta Baddha Konasana, or supported bound angle pose, is one of the best poses for fertility, pregnancy and postpartum. This supported, reclining posture opens the pelvis and nourishes the reproductive organs. It also opens the heart and allows us to connect with our intuition.

Read More