By Carol Gray, LMT, CST, RPYT, ERYT-200 This is part five of a six-part series. In part one, My Baby Dropped!, I explain why engagement is pathology. In part two, Why Did My Baby Get Stuck?, I explore the maternal factors that cause babies to get stuck. Part three is called Fetal Factors: How Babies Get Themselves Stuck. Last week I wrote Fetal Constraint: How Culture Immobilizes Babies. Today’s post
Fetal Constraint: How Culture Immobilizes Babies
July 20, 2021
By Carol Gray, LMT, CST, RPYT, ERYT-200 This is the fourth installment of the stuck baby series. Last week I described the fetal factors (ways babies get themselves stuck). The week before I discussed maternal factors. Three weeks ago I covered engagement and explained why it’s pathology. Next week I’ll go over how fetal constraint affects labor and birth. Stay tuned! Today I’m going to discuss cultural factors that reduce
Why Did My Baby Get Stuck?
July 6, 2021
It’s not because your pelvis is too small… By Carol Gray, LMT, CST, RPYT, ERYT-200 When I consider how babies fit into — and through — a maternal pelvis I view it from three perspectives: midwifery, bodywork and yoga. As a midwife I generally know more about birth than many bodyworkers. As a bodyworker I know more about how, anatomically and bio-mechanically, a baby fits into and ultimately through a
My Baby Dropped!
June 29, 2021
By Carol Gray, LMT, CST, RPYT, ERYT-200 “My baby dropped!!” People usually say this with great enthusiasm when it happens. I’ve never really understood why people rejoice about their babies dropping. Why Do They Think This Is So Cool? Do they think that this is proof they won’t be pregnant until the end of time after all? Do they think that their labors will be shorter because the baby is
Craniosacral Therapy for the Perinatal Period
June 15, 2021
By Carol Gray, LMT, CST, RPYT, ERYT-200 In my other life I’m a bodyworker and bodywork teacher. When I taught in-person prenatal yoga classes, my students often asked me about the benefits of bodywork during pregnancy. They wanted to know more about Craniosacral Therapy (CST) and how it can help. Today I’ll explain it. Why Should People Get Bodywork During Pregnancy and Postpartum? Studies show that people who receive loving
7 Things to Love About Home Yoga Practice
June 8, 2021
By Carol Gray, LMT, CST, RPYT, ERYT-200 I confess. I’ve been practicing yoga for decades and teaching it for (less than 10) years. I always attended yoga studio classes — even when traveling. In the Before Times, did I ever practice at home on my own? Uh, maybe I did it 7 times. I thought I loved the mindless aspect of being on my mat, losing myself in the flow,
Insomnia — The Movie
May 4, 2021
By Carol Gray, LMT, CST, RPYT, ERYT-200 Last week’s post, Pregnancy Insomnia Help, included a five-step yoga sequence for sleep. This week’s post is a 14-minute video of that sequence. It was fun making it. I hope you enjoy it. It makes sense to watch it for the first time when you’re not actually trying to sleep. That way, you can figure out where you’re going to set yourself up
Pregnancy Insomnia Help
April 27, 2021
By Carol Gray, LMT, CST, RPYT, ERYT-200 Insomnia is common during pregnancy. It ‘s no joke. Some people say it’s just practice for after your baby is born and they wake you at night. Not funny. There are two main categories of pregnancy-related insomnia: trouble falling asleep and trouble getting back to sleep after awakening during the night. I Can’t Fall Asleep I assume you have already instituted the typical
All About Posterior Pelvic Pain in Pregnancy
April 20, 2021
By Carol Gray, LMT, CST, RPYT, ERYT-200 How it All Starts Pain in the posterior pelvis is common during pregnancy. It typically begins in mid pregnancy. Although, it can start at any time. Sometimes it goes away during pregnancy. If it does, that usually happens in the third trimester. Other times it persists long after the birth. Your mileage may vary. Your SI Joints This pain often comes from the
The Best Props For Prenatal Yoga — Part 2
April 13, 2021
By Carol Gray, LMT, CST, RPYT, ERYT-200 As promised, I’m continuing my recommendations for the best prenatal yoga props. Well-chosen yoga props will improve your practice. They will help you discover things that you might not otherwise encounter on your mat. What a perfect time to introduce this intimate self-exploration! The path of fertility, pregnancy, labor, birth and parenting are guaranteed to take you beyond what you already know. All
