Prenatal Yoga Prepares the Mind and Body for the Pushing Phase of Birth

October 2, 2023 by Full Circle KC

Prenatal Yoga Helps You Practice and Prepare for the Pushing Phase of Birth

I’m trying not to hold my breath while waiting to welcome Autumn! Speaking of holding breath, this month’s questions have been centered around pushing. Do I hold my breath? Can I breathe when it’s time to push? What’s open glottis pushing vs. Valsalva pushing? What can my partner do to support me while I’m in the second stage of labor/pushing phase? What position do I envision myself to be in for breathing my baby into the world?

In our prenatal yoga classes we cover AND practice (this is where prenatal yoga can play such an invaluable support in preparing for birth) pushing positions, different breathing techniques during pushing, how to advocate for yourself during this phase of birth, how your partner can play an active role as you breathe your baby earthside. Practicing birth positions and breath work during prenatal yoga class builds the muscle memory for birth! It’s an opportunity to rehearse what feels good and right for your body while you’re tuning inward on your yoga mat. When the moment comes to begin pushing your baby into the world, the techniques you’ve practiced/rehearsed at prenatal yoga will empower you for pushing your bundle of joy into the world.

Breath is the way through pushing as it’s the way through contractions and parenthood and waiting for the change in seasons. I’m looking forward to breathing in the crispness of fall in the coming days.

Full Circle Yoga KC is a family centered yoga studio in Midtown Kansas City specializing in Prenatal Yoga, Prenatal Partner Yoga, Baby Yoga, postpartum yoga, and workshops.

Growing: A Pregnancy and Business AND…Baby Music Playgroup!

November 17, 2022 by Full Circle KC

A business is much like pregnancy, but also SO different! It was such a special class last week when an expectant Mama felt her baby move for the first time in shavasana! The excitement was felt by all. That first kick and it’s excitement is like the first client, first new class, first full yoga class, first new workshop, new teacher, each new client- a feeling of joy and excitement. Then there are those days in pregnancy that you find yourself feeling uncomfortable, nauseous, tired, maybe even unsexy, or yearning for feeling better. Well, like pregnancy, being a business owner there are days that feel the same. It’s an ebb and flow journey both in pregnancy and business.

One exercise I’m practicing is catching myself when I’m feeling impatient or worried about business growt, is to turn that feeling into a statement of abundance. It’s hard to wait for a baby to be born, especially those last few weeks! It’s hard to be patient in growing a business during a pandemic and now a recession.

When I’m in the studio teaching, or supporting a client, it’s like that first kick every time. All the feels, all the joy, all the abundance of a space that brings such incredible community, support, and education. When I’m in the studio I can pause often listening to the words of encouragement given by others in the room and know this is the exact right moment and place to be.

It is always with deep gratitude I have the opportunity to cross paths with so many amazing Kansas City (and from afar like Germany and Portland and more via zoom!) growing families. And it’s always a special treat to run into so many of you at the grocery store and elsewhere!

Trust, Trust, Trust that all is well with both a body growing a baby and a woman growing a business.

If you haven’t written a review about your experience at Full Circle Yoga KC I’d so appreciate a few minutes of your time to share your experience with others. I PROMISE your reviews get read from so many looking to find a space like Full Circle Yoga KC. Click here to write a review.

NEW CLASS!!!!

MUSIC FOR MILESTONES baby music playgroup with Stepping Stone KC!
Mondays, 10:45-11:45am
Ages 2 & under

Description: A playgroup for children 2 and under to socialize, bond with caregivers, and practice early developmental skills through musical exploration and play!! Led by a Board-Certified Music Therapist with Stepping Stones KC.

$15 Drop-in or $50 Per Month
STARTING Monday, December 5th
December dates: 12/5, 12/12, 12/19

As we begin to bring 2022 to a close there are great classes and workshops still left to attend!

Flow +1 with Bri- a vinyasa flow class where you can bring your baby or come alone! Every Sunday at 10:30am

Kids Yoga– Every Sunday at 9am with Chelsea, start your little ones on the yoga mat young!

Restorative Yoga with Miracle- a perfect class to restore during the buzz of the holidays. Every Saturday at noon (the first Saturday of each month 12:30pm)!

Prenatal Partner Yoga– December 14^th

And of course our weekly classes of prenatal yoga and BYOB Yoga!

Full Circle Yoga KC is family centered yoga studio in Midtown Kansas City specializing in Prenatal Yoga, Prenatal Partner Yoga, Baby Yoga, postpartum yoga, and many family-centered workshops.

Peanut Balls and Labor

November 3, 2022 by Full Circle KC

The Peanut Ball for Labor

Many expectant Mamas first hearing of a peanut ball for labor and all it’s amazing benefits is at the yoga studio when they attend a prenatal yoga class.

A peanut ball is a wonderful and highly effective tool to use in labor. It’s also a lovely tool at the end stages of pregnancy when resting in shavasana at the end of a prenatal yoga class after hip opening yoga poses.

The peanut ball helps widen the pelvic outlet to support baby’s descent. Research provides evidence it can help with the progression of labor. It is a useful tool to allow for a laboring mama to rest while the peanut ball works to support the laboring body and baby’s journey to earthside. It is placed between the legs to aid in letting the body relax while helping widen the pelvis for baby’s descent and support the progression of labor. A peanut ball can be used with or without the use of an epidural. It’s especially helpful for those who have an epidural due to the limited changes in positions that can be used once an epidural is placed. A laboring person without an epidural may find it particularly helpful to use when rest is needed, while one rests the peanut ball supports the working laboring body.

Two of the most widely used positions with a peanut ball, as showed above are side lying position (photo 1) and semi-reclining position (photo 2). Side-lying position helps baby move into optimal position for birth. Bending the knee over the top of the peanut ball allows for the pelvis to open more. The semi-reclining position promotes further dilation and for baby to drop lower.

It’s always a little joyous celebration in the studio when an expectant Mama is at the final weeks of pregnancy and the peanut ball is coffered in shavasana with a gentle massage.

Peanut balls are also great fun for little ones at Mama and Mover’s Yoga Class!

Full Circle Yoga KC is family centered yoga studio in Midtown Kansas City specializing in Prenatal Yoga, Prenatal Partner Yoga, Baby Yoga, postpartum yoga, and many family-centered workshops.

Postpartum Yoga Classes

November 3, 2022 by Full Circle KC

Postpartum Yoga classes

A postpartum yoga class for the recovering Goddess Mama. Be reassured and validated that you are not alone on an island as you gather with other Mothers in the fourth trimester and beyond. Begin to reconnect with your postpartum body through restorative yoga poses. Take pause and give yourself the gift of self-care and an opportunity for reflection. While this is a Mama focused yoga class, babies are welcome. Every Saturday at 12:00pm.

Yoga Classes and Workshops at Full Circle Yoga KC

October 26, 2022 by Full Circle KC

Happy Fall! As we transition into crisper and cooler days (thank goodness), I hope it brings a new found energy! The energy is certainly feeling vibrant and alive at the studio! We have more teachers and more yoga classes and workshops than ever before! In case you aren’t on social media (high five to you!), or it didn’t show up on your feed here’s a run down of what’s happening through the end of 2022! We continue to have our strong and amazing prenatal and postpartum (several options) yoga classes. And now, we can offer even more to the wellness of growing KC families!

Flow +1!! A vinyasa flow class that has the added benefit of brining your infant! Bri, a FCYKC Mama, will have her sweet Vera with her! Babies not required to attend this class. Starting this Sunday at 10:30am!!! Bri recently subbed a yoga class and everyone was raving about her class! Don’t miss out! She’s pretty amazing!!!

I will be teaching my first Fertility Yoga Series beginning Monday October 3^rd 6pm-8pm. This has been something I’ve wanted to offer since the birth of FCYKC. Experiencing my own challenges with TTC, I remember the heavy feelings and loneliness I experienced. I hope to offer a safe and welcoming space for those experiencing fertility challenges to practice yoga and build community with others. Please share if you know someone that this class may speak to.

Kids Yoga is every SUNDAY at 9am with Chelsea! For ages preschoolish to early elementary school. We encourage parents to join too! Showing our children the importance of self-care is an invaluable life lesson.

Postpartum Restorative Yoga is every Saturday now at noon with Miracle! I LOVE her classes! Infants are welcome, however the class is focused on mama’s needs and recovery.

First Saturday (that’s tomorrow) we have our Chat and Milk support group with Morgan Jackson at Prepared Beginnings. We will be talking about stress and how it impacts feeding our babies.

WORKSHOPS through 2022:

Prenatal Partner Yoga and Massage Workshop with Legacy Massage– October 19^th

Prenatal Partner Yoga- November 16^th and December 14^th

Bridging the Gap between Pelvic Floor and Yoga– November 7th with EnCore Therapy

Coming of Age: Empowering our Girls to Celebrate and Embrace Their Changing Bodies– November 14^th

I am always forever grateful our lives have had the opportunity to intersect. Thank you for your continued support and being a part of a really special community in KC! Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram to stay up to date on all that’s happening!

Hugs!

Jenny