Shakti Ma

Yoga to Strengthen the Body & Spirit

Wisdom to Nourish the Mind
Ritual to Honor the Journey


Pre & Postnatal Massage with Lynda Rountree

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Prenatal Yoga

  • Tuesdays, 11:15-12:30pm - Drop-in Prenatal Yoga with Erica Furman
  • Wednesdays, 6-Week Prenatal Series with Gayle Lemke, 6:15-7:30pm, June 4th thru July 16th (no class July 9th). Drop-in OK $18.
  • Saturdays, 11:15-12:30pm - Drop-in Prenatal Yoga with Gayle Lemke

Prenatal classes are specially modified for women in any stage of pregnancy. Moms-to-be are first guided through Pranayama (breath work) to inspire connection to baby's spirit. Asanas (yoga postures) encourage openess, flexibility and strength, preparing body, mind and spirit for the transformative journey through pregnancy and labor. No previous experience practicing Yoga is required. Postnatal mothers are also welcome.

During pregnancy it's best to eat a light snack before yoga practice, giving about an hour to digest before class. Wear comfortable clothing that you can move in freely.

Photo Credit: Joanie Schwarz Photography


Postnatal/Baby & Me Yoga

For postnatal mothers and newborns from six weeks to pre-crawling.
Prenatal moms are also welcome.

  • Wednesdays, 11:15-12:30pm - Drop-in Postnatal/Baby&Me Yoga with Gayle Lemke
  • Fridays, 11:15-12:30pm - Drop-in Postnatal/Baby&Me Yogawith Erica Furman
  • New Class! Saturdays, 12:45-2pm - Drop-in Postnatal/Baby&Me Yoga with Gayle Lemke

Yoga is an excellent way to restore and rejuvenate the mind, body and spirit afterbaby arrives and to alleviate many of the post partum stresses that accompany thismajor life transition. The first part of class is focused on mother-baby engagement through pranayama (breathwork) and infant massage. New mothers are then gently guided through stretching, retoning and strengthening asanas coordinated with the breath and designed to integrate joyful bonding time with new babes.

Photo Credit: Joanie Schwarz Photography

This class is very accommodating, and moms are encouraged to nurse, change diapers and soothe babies in the room as necessary, then rejoin the class as they can. When class ends there is time to relax with other new moms and babies and enjoy connection in a warm, supportive environment. Poses can be modified to accommodate pregnant moms too, so all are welcome.


Class Rates

First Class Free

$18 Drop-in, $80 5 class-card, $150 10 class-card, $270 20 class-card

All class-cards have a one-year expiration date and are non-refundable.

A discount class-card is available. For more information, please contact Gayle Lemke.


Spring/Summer Workshops

Prenatal Yoga 6-Week Series

with Gayle Lemke

When: 3 more Wednesdays, 6:15-7:30pm, June 25th - July 16th (no class July 9th)

Cost:  $90 for the 6-week series, Drop-in OK $18 (no class cards)

Make-ups can be made in any drop-in class.
To register: call 973-763-2288 send an email or pay online!

Prenatal classes are specially modified for women in any stage of pregnancy. Moms-to-be are first guided through Pranayama (breathwork) to inspire connection to baby's spirit. Asanas (yoga postures) encourage openess, flexibility and strength, preparing body, mind and spirit for the transformative journey through pregnancy and labor. No previous experience practicing Yoga is required. Postnatal mothers are also welcome.

During pregnancy it's best to eat a light snack before yoga practice, giving about an hour to digest before class. Wear comfortable clothing that you can stretch in.

Photo Credit: Joanie Schwarz Photograp


Infant Massage Workshop with Kelli DeFlora

For 2-week old babies up to 1 year and their caregiver(s), pregnant moms also!

When: Thursday, July 17th, 1-2:15pm

Cost:   $30 - pre-registration only
To register: call 973-763-2288 send an email or pay online!

Join Certified Infant Massage Therapist Kelli DeFlora as she demonstrates this holistic and natural way to promote infant health, improve parenting skills and deepen bonding.  Infant massage incorporates nurturing touch, massage and reflexology in a loving, fun, one-on-one interaction that provides nourishment for baby's mind, body and spirit.

Kelli DeFlora began her training in Holistic Health and Physical Therapy over 20 years ago.  She was trained in Shiatsu by Marianne Fuenmayor of the Mother Hand Society.  Kelli has been in private practice in various aspects of holistic health since 1990 and specializes in wellness services for women in the childbearing years.  She is a holistic childbirth educator and birth doula, completing her training with DONA.  Kelli is director of perinatal yoga at Starseed in Montclair, NJ. 

Mothers, partners, grandparents and other caregivers encouraged to attend! Photo Credit: Joanie Schwarz Photography


Summer Childbirth Education Series
with Kim Collins

When: 3 Wednesdays, 7-9pm, July 23rd & 30th & August 6th
Cost: $375 per couple
To register: call 973-763-2288 send an email or pay online!
For more info: call Kim at 973-762-0785

Kim Collins is certified in Bradley, and has studied Birthing From Within. She has over six years experience as a childbirth educator and birth doula, working with hundreds of couples. Kim brings practical experience, warmth, energy and compassion to each class.

Photo Credit: Joanie Schwarz Photography

The classes are dynamic and cover, in part:

~ the normalcy of birth - something our bodies are made to do
~ active participation of partner
~ avoidance of drugs & routine interventions unless needed or wanted
~ relaxation and NATURAL breathing
~ consumerism and positive communication
~ birth as a rite of passage
~ the importance of being philosophically aligned with your birth team
~ breastfeeding success
~ “focusing in” and working with your body
~ positions for labor and pushing
~ developing a birth plan
~ a New Parent Resource List for our community


Conception, Pregnancy & Birth
the journey that shapes our lives

with Anna Verwaal, RN, CLE, Doula

When: Sunday, October 12th, 9am to 5pm

~ followed by a free screening of the revolutionary new film,
Orgasmic Birth
at 6:30pm
Where:
SOPAC (South Orange Performing Arts Center),
One Sopac Way in South Orange
Cost:
$175 individual, $300 partner rate before September 1st,
$200 individual, $350 partner rate thereafter
To register:
call 973-763-2288 send an email or pay online at Shakti
For more info:
call Gayle Lemke at 917-750-0516 or send her an email

Come to this inspiring and informative one-day event presented by renowned childbirth education expert Anna Verwaal

Discover how a babiesʼ womb experience imprints them for life

Learn how a mother and father's own prenatal & birth experience may affect them during the birth of their child and discover ways of healing birth trauma

Explore Mother Natureʼs intricate hormonal blueprint for birth and bonding

Who prenatal yoga teachers; birth professionals, including obstetricians; labor nurses; midwives; doulas; childbirth educators and therapists; those planning to conceive or now pregnant; those interested in an holistic approach to childbirth; or anyone wishing to explore how birth profoundly affects their lives.

REGISTRATION INCLUDES ADMISSION TO THE SCREENING of Orgasmic Birth the remarkable new documentary film by Debra Pascali-Bonaro.


babywearing.jpg

Learn to Wear Your Baby

with Shelley Brown

When: New Summer Date Coming Soon!

Cost:   $30 - pre-registration only
To register: call 973-763-2288 send an email or pay online!

Come and learn the ancient art of wearing your baby or toddler. Whether in a sling, wrap or back carrier, baby stays secure and content and mother’s or father’s hands are free to shop, hike, attend older children or work around the house. Participants will get to try many different types of baby carriers, learn proper techniques for wearing baby on the body, and get a detailed list of baby-wearing resources

Space is limited to 8 couples, so please register in advance for this hands-on, informative workshop.   Partners and babies are encouraged to attend.  Carriers will be available for purchase following the workshop.


Preparing for Labor - An Expectant Parents Workshop
with Gayle Lemke and Lynda Rountree

When: Look for a new date coming soon!

Cost:  $40 per individual or couple - pre registration preferred
To register:
call 973-763-2288 send an email or pay online!

This workshop is dynamic and will include:
~ Yogic breath practices to encourage connection between mother, partner & baby
~ Rhythmic breathing that energizes the body while calming the mind
~ Hands-on touch therapy techniques including rhythmic massage, gentle acupressure and energy work
~ Positions that work best as comfort measures during early and active labor
~ Practice with partners using various active-birth props such as heat therapy and the birth ball


Gayle Lemke, Director of Shakti Ma

Gayle is the founder and director of Shakti Ma: Yoga, Wisdom & Ritual for the childbearing year & beyond. 

A mother to two, Gayle came to yoga in 1997 while pregnant with her daughter. After giving birth to her son in 2002, she completed her basic teacher training at Integral Yoga Institute in NYC, and shortly afterward received prenatal yoga certifications with Carrie Parker-Gastelu at BeYoga in NYC, and Kelli DeFlora at StarSeed Yoga in Montclair NJ. In 2007, she completed a 60- hour Kundalini Pregnancy Yoga certification with Gurmukh at Golden Bridge NYC. Gayle combines a nurturing, energetic style that inspires students towards openness, flexibility and breath awareness. As a foundation of her classes, she encourages mothers' spiritual connection to her baby, both inside of the womb and out.

Since 1999, Gayle has attended births as a professional Labor Support Doula. She assists mothers, partners and babies in experiencing a safe and harmonious transition to familyhood.

For more information about Pre/Postnatal and Baby&Me Yoga Classes or Doula Services or Kids Yoga, please contact Gayle at gayle@shaktinj.com