moonlifeyoga

Bye bye second trimester, you've been great 🥰 time to embrace all that the final few months have to offer!

PS. I'll soon be stopping posting on this platform so make sure to follow my new one over at where I'll be sharing tips for creating a nourishing and sustainable lifestyle that actually works for you in the long term 🙏

CHEERS to new beginnings ✨

After four years of I've decided it's time for a change! A business name which reflects more fully my work, a new website coming soon and a plan for a new way of working once I return from maternity leave.

It's strange to let this go but mostly it feels like the right thing to do. I'm not starting again or changing path completely just reorientating a little. As I ground more and more into my values I want to show up authentically in everything I do.

My new profile is so if you are interested in continuing with me on this journey, please follow me there 💞

It's a blank slate for now as I untangle my ideas.
Maybe it would be more professional to have everything ready for an official "launch". My inner perfectionist alarm is blaring but again, it just feels right to begin and let it all unfold...

Whilst I love prenatal yoga it's also possible for most pregnant women to continue going to regular yoga classes that they love. In my latest blog (link in bio) I share general modifications and specific tips for practicing yoga in each trimester 🧘‍♀️

The number one is always to listen to your BODY rather than your mind. When something is uncomfortable or doesn't feel right its usually a sign that you need to modify or try something different rather than push on through.

Learning to communicate with your body and understand it's needs will only bring you closer to your true nature and is one of the beautiful benefits of this unique experience 😊

You know you are starting to look pregnant when 2 drivers stop to let you cross the road. Those of you in Athens will understand what I mean, friends in the UK maybe not.. 😅

We are at I'm happy to say that the "golden time" of the second trimester has been true for me so far 🤞bye bye to the nausea and horrible headaches of the first trimester and hello to baby's cute little movements.

Thankfully I've been feeling pretty comfortable so far. Keeping up with gentle prenatal yoga and pilates plus daily walks has definitely been key to that and I hope to keep it up as long as possible!

I've also been learning lots about posture through bowspring classes which question some of the more traditional ideas of good posture (including some recommendations of traditional yoga asana).

I've been especially experimenting with avoiding overtucking of the tailbone, putting more weight in the balls of my feet rather than heels and allowing the natural curves of the spine and openness of the heart 💕

GENTLE DAILY HIP OPENING FOR WOMEN 🧘‍♀️

1. Butterfly pose
2. Wide leg fold
3. Pelvic circles in all fours
4. Wide knees child's pose
5. Seated hip stretch

I'm currently 22 weeks pregnant and I've been doing this short sequence almost every day lately to create in my pelvis and release tension from my hips and lower back.

It's a great mini sequence for pregnancy but also for all women to awaken the Shakti (feminine energy) in the lower body, improve circulation in the pelvis and support hormonal balance and fertility🌙

I'm so enjoying witnessing the amazing changes every day. I am in constant awe of this feminine body 😍

I know not everyone is interested and wants to hear about pregnancy but I can't help being a little bit obsessed (sorry not sorry)

Honestly how can we be expected not to be with such an insane process happening within us without any conscious thought 🤯

We are mostly expected to continue as normal when we are going through this massive external and internal transformation..

And yes we can still socialise work, exercise and whatever else whilst all of this is going on beyond our awareness. Which makes it even more amazing!

NEW BLOG POST LIVE! The Yamas in Prenatal Yoga 🤰

This is an introduction to the first of the 8 limbs of yoga, the Yamas and how I relate them to to the experience of pregnancy. Yoga is not just about making shapes with your body (even though it might appear that way online at times!). It's a whole way of life and a practice both on and off the mat.

The Yamas are like 5 "codes for life" that guide us in approaching the world in a peaceful, yogic manner. They encourage compassion, honesty, generosity, moderation and acceptance. This relates to how we are towards others but also ourselves 💛

Prenatal yoga: Yamas in the first trimester An introduction to the first of the eight limbs of yoga, the Yamas, and how they fit into a prenatal yoga practice.

Balancing strength with softness, steadiness with ease. Side body stretches help to connect to the feminine energy flowing through us and to create more space for baby and breath 🌸

SQUATTING DURING PREGNANCY 🌸🧘‍♀️

Variations of Malasana squat were always part of my yoga practice. I made a post a few months ago about the benefits of squatting for our health as women.

Since being pregnant I've been including these as part of my daily practice and will hopefully be able to do so until the end (maybe with a few extra modifications)

Some of the amazing benefits of squatting for pregnancy and birth preparation:

✅ Opens the pelvis to its widest point
✅ Releases and mobilises the hip joints
✅ Eases lower back stiffness by counteracting rounding
✅ Can prevent or ease constipation
✅ Promotes elasticity of the perineum and vaginal tissues
✅ Encourages relaxation of the pelvic floor muscles

Squatting is generally safe for women to practice right up till birth and may even be part of an active birth for some! There are many ways to practice with props and even a partner for support when squatting.

However there are a few cases where it not recommended such as if the baby is in breech position after 34 weeks, if there is a cervical stitch is in place or for women who experience SPD pain, haemorrhoids or varicose veins.

It's always best to check with your care team if you're not sure but for most women there is no need to worry. If it's not a movement you practice regularly it can take some getting used to but it's worth it 👌

Hey everyone I hope you're all having a great weekend ☀️

Yesterday was the Greek Independence Day so we went to see the parade and spent the day with friends, eating crepes, drinking fresh orange juice and enjoying the spring sunshine. Today is a day of catching up with cleaning and studying Greek as I've got an exam coming up soon!

I'm working on appreciating the moments of feeling happy, alive and more physically present than ever.. While accepting the moments of discomfort, tiredness and general emotional whirlwind. Pregnancy is certainly a wild ride 😆

Yesterday was the 17 weeks mark and I'm finally over the nausea, headaches and exhaustion of the first trimester. I'm slowing watching my body change and in awe of the rapidly growing miracle inside me. I'm still waiting to feel those first flutters...

I've been reading a great book about pregnancy and birth written by a kundalini yoga teacher. I'll share more on that soon as I love her perspective. I wish I'd had the book at the start of the first trimester but I guess everything has its right timing 🤷‍♀️

A few stretchy poses from tonights' new moon yoga for women's health class 🌒 we focused on releasing the hips and hamstrings, letting go of any unwanted energy and tension to make space for the new as we move into another lunar cycle and season 🌸

And of course we finished with a beautiful dark moon inspired yoga nidra. I just love sharing this simple but profoundly healing practice.

If you haven't tried it, it's a guided relaxation practice where you experience the benefits of deep sleep whilst remaining conscious and aware. And so much more but that's for another post another day 🙏