I look forward to teaching the Mommy & Me class each Monday at Desert Song. In this weekly class, moms and their babies (from 4-5 weeks old to pre-crawlers) practice yoga, play and sing together. The mamas form new friendships (and grow old ones!) and bonds between babies and mamas deepen. The adorable new children enjoy songs on a blanket next to mama’s mat and are also incorporated into yoga poses with their moms. (Think Warrior II with babe in arms.) It is a delight to see so many friendships unfold from the community of this class; I love seeing the mom's confidence and comfort grow as they connect to their shared practice with baby.
A neat, astronomical lineup has been visible in our pre-dawn skies for the past few weeks. Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn are all possible to see about an hour before dawn. Perhaps you’ve already noticed Venus shining more brightly than an airplane’s light when you were last up before dawn.
Several mamas in class last Monday were interested in this synchronous gathering of planets. With Mommy & Me yoga, the word together is one that stands out to me. Getting to see five other planets all at once shares that “togetherness” just like the sweetness with this lovely gathering of moms and their babies enjoying yoga. Amazing beings connecting with each other in community is like the planets gathering in the pre-dawn skies. A lot of brilliance can result! As one mom told me, “I’m so glad to be part of a tribe of moms.” Connecting with other mamas who are experiencing similar time periods in their children’s lives helps us all realize that we’re not alone.
We can really appreciate a key aspect of our yoga practice, unity growing in the connections that develop here between new and old friends and these precious new babies and their loving mamas. We’d love to hear from you. Please share what matters to you about Mommy & Me yoga below, in the comments.
The five planets will continue to be visible for the next week or so. More information on spotting the planets can be found here.
Namaste,
Michelle
Michelle's Mommy & Me class is offered on Mondays from 10:15-11:15am and is only $12 for mom and baby.
Michelle's Mommy & Me class is offered on Mondays from 10:15-11:15am and is only $12 for mom and baby.
So many parts of this post resonated with me Michelle! There is something so amazing about finding other moms, who have kids close in age to yours, to connect with and build a community with. I have friends today that I made almost 4 years ago, while pregnant, and we still get together and get our kids together. These yoga classes that Desert Song offers are so amazing because they help to build this community of moms, from the ground (prenatal) up. I so miss Mommy & Me and am happy I get to experience it again soon! We truly are not alone as mothers and it's hard to remember that. It is such a lonely experience, especially those first few months, but you have to make an effort to get out, bond with your babe and be around other mamas. We used to meet for lunch after our Mommy & Me class weekly and I loved it, I hope these mamas do the same! So much fun for the moms and babes! Great post, keep writing!!
ReplyDeleteI use to teach the prenatal and mommy and me classes at Desert Song in the late 80's and into the 90's and I still have such fond memories of these woman and their children. I am still friends with many of them today and their children (who are now college graduates)! Three of the women were in my Wednesday morning class and it warms my heart to have such deep and lasting friendships with them and their children over these years. I love seeing this happen time and time again. It is such a gift in all aspects of the experience. Thanks so much Michelle for reminding me. Such a beautiful picture and group of moms you have gathered!
ReplyDeleteThank you Allison and Mary Beth! I hear you both =)
ReplyDeleteMany of these ladies do go to coffee or lunch with each other after class each week. Delightful!
It reminds me of when I was in this same class with my baby seven years ago and I got to know a lovely group of women and their families. This led to playgroups and brunches and more festivities, and we are still connected and getting together to this day.
It is really wonderful that we each have the good fortune to connect in community at Desert Song. I am continually grateful for the rich ground that is here at the Center.