Shakti - Yoga&living arts

Come move your body and enjoy meeting other mamas-to-be in a nurturing and supportive space.

Prenatal classes are specially modified for women in any stage of pregnancy. We begin with a guided Pranayama (breathwork) meditation to experience the nourishing and calming benefits of breathing for two. Asanas (yoga postures) encourage openess and strength, preparing mind and body for the transformative journey through pregnancy and labor. We end with a soothing Savasana (deep relaxation) and chanting to honor pregnancy as a living prayer.

Eat something light before yoga, allowing about an hour to digest before class. Wear comfortable clothing that you can move in freely.

Yoga is an excellent way to restore and rejuvenate after baby arrives, to connect with other new moms and make friends for you and your baby! Mamas are guided through stretching, retoning and strengthening asanas, coordinated with the breath and designed to integrate joyful bonding time with new babes.

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

Please note this is a non-refundable series. If you miss a class, you can make it up at any drop-in class, including the Baby & Me class.

Have you graduated from the Baby & Me class and still want some weekly yoga time with your little one, who is now on the move?

Join Erica for an hour of yoga where you will practice with the babies, including them wherever possible.

There will be a traditional practice for the Moms with some singing/chanting and partner/kid friendly poses worked in. Each class of this kind is an adventure - sometimes a safari, a walk in the woods or a contemplation of shapes.

Discover something you and your child can take into the week ahead to play with, practice and discuss - a way to bring yoga into your day every day.

This class is designed to connect with your family’s gifts of harmony, love and laughter, and offer children a friendly relationship to the physical and philosophical traditions of yoga.

We incorporates lessons in creativity, self-acceptance, positive thinking, personal awareness and, most of all, fun. The use of animated poses and basic stretching exercises promote strength, flexibility, coordination and body awareness.

Improve concentration, stimulate the imagination and release excess energy in a fun, safe environment.

Workshops

Nursing the Natural Way ~ Understanding Babies, Bonding & Breastfeeding
with Danit Wehle, RN, IBCLC

When: Sunday, September 12, 10am-1pm

Cost: $75 per individual/couple. Comprehensive information booklet included.

Questions: call or email gayle@shaktinj.com

Where:GAS Gallery & Studio 411 Ridgewood Road@ Cedar Lane, Maplewood

Introduction to Baby-Led Breastfeeding Breastfeeding : little boy eating breastmilk, studio photo Stock Photo

The Benefits of Breastfeeding
Navigating the Hospital System
Starting Off on the Right Path

What to Expect from Your Newborn

Latch & Positioning
Milk Supply and How Milk is Made
How to Tell if Baby is Getting Enough
Support from Partner
Skin-to-Skin and Bonding
Bottle Feeding Techniques to Pomote & Encourange Breastfeeding
Red Flags and when to call a Lactation Consultant

Class Description

Like all mammals, babies have a natural instinct to nurse. In fact, babies have a natural instinct to find their mother’s
breast on their own and latch on. The more that we interfere with this natural process, the more complicated we make it.
Breastfeeding has often become so ‘medicalized’ in our society that mothers are losing touch with the natural process
of nursing one’s young. Most women deliver in a hospital setting and therefore are subject to the protocols and
routines of the hospital. The structure of the maternity ward is often not very conducive to mother/baby bonding,
baby-led breastfeeding or breastfeeding on demand. This means it's essential that women have not only updated
information about breastfeeding practices in the hospital, but also the knowledge and confidence they need to create

the breastfeeding experience that they desire within the hospital setting.

Danit Wehle, RN, IBCLC

As a Board Certified Lactation Consultant and registered nurse who has worked in clinics, private homes, and various
hospitals, Danit has designed a class that is geared towards women who want to experience breastfeeding in a natural
way, regardless of where or how they give birth. Nursing the Natural Way provides a strong foundation of breastfeeding education, while emphasizing the importance of the mother/baby bond and its effect on breastfeeding initiation and
success. In addition, the class covers key information about what to expect in the hospital and how to work within the
hospital system to create an optimal breastfeeding experience.

We recommended attending this class with your partner in the 3rd trimester.

Infant Massage Workshop with Kelli DeFlora

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

When: Thursday, September 23, 2:15-3:30pm

Cost: $30 - pre registration only
Register: call 973-763-2288 or pay online

Questions: email Kelli DeFlora

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 is the mother of two children, born at home. She is a certified shiatsu practitioner, a Reiki Master and director of Perinatal Yoga at Starseed in Montclair, NJ. She is also an ordained
Interfaith Minister.

Kelli began her career in healing as a college student majoring in Physical Therapy and entered
into the practice and study of holistic health over 20 years ago.

She is also a Holistic Childbirth Educator and a birth doula, certified by DONA. Kelli believes "women deserve to be empowered throughout their pregnancy, enjoy community and have confident bodies and spirits.

Moving Through Labor ~ Postion Yourself for a Better Birth
with Gayle Lemke

When: Saturday,September 25, 2-4:30pm

Cost: $50 per individual or couple ~ pre-registration only

Where: Shakti Yoga & living arts

Questions: call or email gayle@shaktinj.com

~ Overview of gravity-enhanced positions & comfort measures for early & active labor

~ Practice with partners using active-birth props such as heat therapy & the birth ball

~ Sound advice on How to Labor at Home as Long as Possible--Comfortably & Confidently

~ How to Navigate Hospital Protocols & Procedures

http://hongkong.grand.hyatt.com/hyatt/pure/spas/treatments/massage.jsp

Pre & Postnatal Bodywork Offerings

Pre & Postnatal Massage with Lynda Rountree, LMT

Reflexology with Debra Bernath, NY LMT

Reiki Healing Touch Energy Sessions with Madalina Blanton

Sunday Morning Prenatal Yoga

with Shakti Ma founder Gayle Lemke

GAS Gallery & Studio
411 Ridgewood Road@ Cedar Lane, Maplewood
9:15 ~10:30 a.m.

Summer Special ~ $15 per single class~Cash or check only/Props provided

An intermediate level class suited to all stages of pregnancy, this 1 hour & 15 minute session promises to inspire openness and strength along with a deep connection to your growing baby! We begin with a guided pranayama meditation and flow through yoga asanas creatively sequenced especially for pregnancy. Class ends with a blissful mother-baby Savasana.

Gayle Lemke is a mother of two, writer and childbirth educator. In 2005 she launched Shakti Ma, where she directed the pre & postnatal yoga and childbirth education programs.

She received her basic certification from the Integral Yoga Institute and advanced pregnancy yoga training from Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa at GoldenBridge, NYC.

Gayle is a cofounder of New York’s Metropolitan Doula Group and has attended births as a labor support doula since 1999.