Completely off topic … link

In case link doesn’t work: …

http://www.thisblewmymind.com/street-musician-tipped-girl-happened-next-blew-whole-city-away/#_

 

So this beautiful mandala by Daisy is painted on an up-cycled vinyl record … it’s stunning and gorgeous and makes the backdrop for the beautiful sacred space created in our teaching space. Cx
https://www.facebook.com/heidi.daisylove

 

 

I had a very poignant reminder today from a beautiful client and friend just how fragile we are when life throws us a challenge.  Without going into too much detail as what we talked about was confidential … it made me sit and think this afternoon about how we prepare for death … yes I said death.  It’s fine if you want to step away and go read something else or perhaps stay and see where this goes …

I honestly can say (hand on heart) that I was petrified of death and would become very upset about what I would miss and those that I would leave behind … this stemmed from my latter teenage years and really escalated when I had our first baby, even more so when I had our second.  But it’s odd how a life experience can really change how you see something and how you are prepared to break and overcome the big “white elephant” that sits in the corner of your life and keeps nudging at you …

It’s important to acknowledge that you are scared of things and not fear that someone will ridicule you for this.  At the end of the day it’s important to face your fears.  How I hear you ask?

The following has some useful tips:  Link

For me it was to face the fear directly, yes I did journal after the event and periodically I use this blog to explore … so how did I face the fear … I met it head on and decided that I would doula my grandmother in her final hours & days with us.  I didn’t have the luxury of my nana talking to me in her final days as she was given large doses of morphine … so I never had the odd conversations I had had with my other nana when she was going through the final stages of her life.  My mum experienced nursing her to the end and it wasn’t pleasant.  The after effect and months of strain really showed on my mum and affected her at a deep level.  So for her to not be there when her own mother passed away was something she felt very deeply.  Their connection was amazing and my mum says she knew when she passed even though she was on a cruise at the time.  As a family we had persuaded them that they should take this holiday and to enjoy themselves.  It obviously was tinged with sadness because they had lost someone very special to them.

So what is a death doula?  This article explains what soul midwives, death doulas and end of life companions are.  The role is similar to that of a birth doula which welcomes life into the work, holding the space for the mother & baby, ensuring that the environment is calm and relaxing ….

Final Flings articles says:

“A dying person often cycles through emotions – lonely, lost, scared, stuck, regretful, angry, resolved, resistant, submissive. An end of life companion can fill an emotional and spiritual gap by being alongside them at this challenging time. This is especially valuable as we live increasingly scattered, independent and mobile lives – often with no close family or friends to support at the end of life. ”

For some of us we choose to be there every day but there are some that cannot cope with seeing their loved one decline and change from healthy to very ill.  This is a choice again that should be respected.  They are the one’s that have to find their comfort zone and will be the ones that will have to face making this choice and whether they have any regrets.
What is important is you!  How you are coping, how you are being supported, how you are supporting those close to you?  How you are supporting the one who will depart?

I remember being asked if I would ever consider being an end of life companion because of my doula role and at the time I felt very unsure because of my fear, also that I wouldn’t be very good at this and wouldn’t know what to do.
So how did my doula skills help and support the final days and hours of my Nana’s time with us.  I sat and chatted quietly to her, made sure she was comfortable, hydrated and aware through touch that I was with her.  I read to her and chatted like she was fully awake and holding a conversation with me.  It was very one sided but I honestly do believe that she was aware of me being there.  Yes I had tears and took comfort breaks and would go and touch base with the staff for a few minutes occasionally.   The room was kept calm, relaxed and lighting was low.  Holding her space and ensuring that she felt protected.
They eventually sent me home as I had been there all day and said they would call if there were any changes … I remember saying bye bye and as I walked out thinking that I hoped I would see her again but knew in my heart that I probably wouldn’t.  I came home to cuddles with my children and husband to try and explain that great-nanny was very poorly.  There were tears, some laughter, little reminisces as we sat and then the phone rang and I just knew … my husband was fabulous he took the call and yes she had passed with just one person with her, a lovely lady from the nursing home.  She picked her time and knew that those she loved were together.

So how did this help me face my fear?  My grandmother was a fighter and would always endeavour to find a solution, would ensure that no one ever stayed mad at each other, would make the most amazing pies (apple, gooseberry) and would spend quality time with you.  I always felt close to her, she raised me for the first 6 – 10 months of my life, I walked for her first and she never said a word to my parents just ensured I did it for them when I was with them.  She was unique … a true warrior woman and a pillar of her community … yes she had this wonderful habit of flying down the hill at 5pm to do her shopping having spent all day either pottering in her gardens, or playing the piano/organ or baking and then deciding that she needed x, y or z.  She was always there for us.  She was our church organist when we got married and I felt so proud of her.  She was right up there with us at the front of the church when we exchanged our vows and I felt her strength.
So in her final days and hours I felt that I had to be there for her.  Her strength when she was truly at her most vulnerable helped me to see that we shouldn’t fear death, that we should in actual fact live life as fully as we can and celebrate every day.  We should talk about our fears and address them, we should support each other and know that there is someone who has experienced what you are going through and acknowledge that it’s good to talk, thanks Buzby, that there is a door open and a cuppa and cake on hand with a listening ear and a box of tissues.

Be brave, connect with them and enjoy the time you have with them.  Create more memories to go with the ones you already have.  Don’t ever underestimate the power of touch and voice.  They know you are there with them until they decide to take the last step.

 

For those of you who know me well, I am forever finding feathers in the house, in the car, in my husbands car, in my pockets and I am a great believer they are left to remind me that I am being protected and looked after from the loved ones who have sadly departed us and I would like to think and believe that they are all reunited up there and having a wonderful time.  Have a glass or too of happiness as we remember you all very fondly and with a huge dose of love.

 

I apologise if you are now reaching for the tissues … this is for my dear client and friend and I hope you find the strength to support your loved one.  Hugs Cx

 

Rite of Passage was written a little while ago but started this journey so I attach the link …   http://rippleeffectyoga.co.uk/?p=3464

 

I have managed to keep it together today but there was a moment this morning where my son managed to reduce me to tears sitting in the car because he didn’t want to do his spellings … we did them but it was a test in patience on my part and being gentle with him.

Why am I feeling so all over the place – or so “discombobulated”!  Yes that’s the word … frustration at life; challenges that I know I need to keep me balanced and grounded; a week being a “single” parent … not sure how anyone manages it full time … my hat is off to you as I did it but there were a few days where we were a little tight on the school run!  Classes are buoyant but I have had to make a horrible decision to stop my classes at a beautiful yoga studio which has such an amazing energy all because I don’t have sufficient numbers for those classes and mums are dropping off naturally with their babies as they become more active.  It was a challenging week … but then ….

I found a new treat … homemade using freshly brewed coffee, hot milk or cold (depending on a warm of chilled drink), cream and butterscotch topping … to die for ..

If I start to look like the Michelin man please say as I worked so hard to lose the 8 stone, I don’t want to put it back on!  But I think that every now and again won’t hurt.  So with said coffee in hand I sat and started to message a client and those flood gates I was trying desperately to hold back were opened when they sent me this …

what you do is different to everyone else, you are not just my yoga teacher, you have come into our lives and touched it! Most pregnancy yoga teachers don’t buy gifts for mummy’s and daddy’s and you do sooo much for us all! Do you know ripple effect has just felt for me like a big family that would be there forever… You created that

Thank you for reminding me to pause, have a good cry! (always does us the world of good) and think about why Ripple Effect Yoga exists; where it has come from; what was the inspiration behind it; why it works so well.
Thank you to you all for wanting to experience an empowered birth; for choosing to support one another and be there in the happy moments and those moments that are tough and challenging.  It’s not just a business (I smile when I write that) because I see everyone as part of a “family” one where we don’t have to see each other every week but can meet up for meals, picnics in the park, Christmas parties, Empowering Birth evenings, our little ones birthdays, our birthdays or just a good old chin wag over a cuppa and cake during the week when the fancy takes us.  That is what this wonderful community have created.

We can laugh, cry, be happy, be sad and know that those surrounding us will be there to support us and have a shoulder to rest on or cry on, what ever our needs may be at that moment.  Where else would we get that type of support?  Who else would understand us (apart from our partners & close family/friends) and isn’t it good to know you can wake up at varying intervals night and day and that there will be someone around that you can text, call, Facebook message, post on the Facebook page or your own and that within a few seconds/minutes or maybe a few hours there will be a whole host of supportive comments to buoy you up in your time of need.

So thank you my lovely client for reminding me why I love teaching and why you are all so important … I am off to spend time in my sacred space and to focus just for a little while on “me” the woman, not the mother or the wife, just good old me, Claire … I am going to delve into the layers and try to find her … perhaps the time has come for you too?

In love and support
Cx

Touching on several hot parenting topics, Connecticut Working Moms has posted a series of empowering photos, encouraging women to stop judging one another, and pleading for an end to the mommy wars.

What are the ‘mommy wars,’ you ask?

From post-baby bodies, to feeding methods and choice of diaper, to the length of maternity leave, many moms pit themselves against each another in a negative dance of comparison and judgement.

“Why do you co-sleep with your child?” Or, “Home schooling will negatively affect your kids’ social skills.” Or, “Raising kids without religion will damage your kids’ souls.”

These any many other judgemental statements/thoughts are being challenged in this compassionate new campaign, asking our fellow sister to embrace various parenting styles and stop the mommy wars once and for all.

Check out the special photo shoot, touching on some of the hottest mommy topics out there.

Link

Link

Female Pelvic Anatomy:

Basic Information –

Diane Lee PDF: Understanding Back and Pelvic Girdle Pain – with basic anatomy

Interactive Anatomy: The 3D Vulva

***New Addition (2/17/13) 360 Degree View of the Pelvis – Muscles, Nerves, Arteries and more!

A funny, but thorough description: Women’s Health Magazine – Female Reproductive System Explanation

Anatomy of the Female Pelvis for Dummies

** Great info to know!    Muscles of the Pelvic and Perineum, Origin, Insertion, Action, and Nerve

Ten Myths about the Hymen

Video Link amazing – must watch

Beyond Basics:

** Check this out!! PDF Download with Dissection pics too : The Neuroanatomy of Female Pelvic Pain – Springer

Diane Lee PDF: Neuromuscular Anatomy

Abstract:  Neuroanatomy of the female abdominopelvic region. Pelvic pain syndromes.

Standardization of Terminology of the Pelvic Floor: (c/o Herman and Wallace): 

Anatomy of the Pelvic Floor and Stress Continence System

Female Pelvic Floor Anatomy: The Pelvic Floor, Supporting Structures and Pelvic Organs

PDF: Contemporary views on female pelvic anatomy  (2005)

Abstract/Shortened Version: Facts and Myths about the Pelvic Floor

Functional anatomy of the pelvic floor

Slideshare Presentation: Anatomy of Female Reproductive System

** new addition (1/12/14) An excellent set of videos  and information- AnatomyZone Tutorials: The Female Reproductive System

Male Pelvic Anatomy: 

Basic Information:

WebMD Male Reproductive System

A funny, but thorough male description: Women’s Health Magazine and the Male Reproductive System

Anatomy of the Male Pelvis for Dummies

 

Beyond the Basics: 

** New addition (1/12/14)  Full Access to the Video Library for the International Academy of Pelvic Surgery. Videos include detailed anatomy and surgical procedures of the pelvis. * You must sign up for free to gain access – it’s worth it!

Abstract: Dynamics of Male Pelvic Floor Contractions with US Imaging

Neuroanatomy of the male pelvis in respect to radical prostatectomy including three-dimensional visualization 

Yoga and Pelvic Anatomy:  ***new addition (1/12/14)

One of the BEST sites ever for combining yoga and anatomy. Great posts on the diaphragm, labral tear prevention, and the piriformis.   The Daily Bandha

Video – Yoga Anatomy Visualisation – Check out the anatomy pants – hamstrings, glutes. Well done!

Video link

Video Link 2

Video Link 3  Male pelvis – dissection!

Video Link 4

Video Link 5 – fab resource …

Video link 6

Video Link 7

Video Link 8

Video Link 9

Video – SI joint

Video 11

Video 12 interesting comparison between male & female pelvis

Video 13