The workshop on the 8th of October at the wonderful JAI YOGA studio in Cape town went off without a hitch, with my pregnant and “due” client kindly waiting till the next day to give birth! It wasn’t called a workshop for nothing, and we sweated with concentrated work as the day warmed up. In the morning we tackled theory, demonstrating Hard at work tackling theory in the morning!the anatomy and physiology of natural birth with a model of a ‘Bushman’ pelvis and a soft doll. I illustrated the progress of labour with diagrams and luscious labour stories and the neurobiology of labour and birth sparked lots of interest and questions. Three of the women had experienced caesarian sections with their first babies and shared their experiences, eagerly explaining why this time around they hoped for natural births.We also danced the hula hoop without the hoops to supple up the spine and hips and succeeded in getting the swing of it. Intense focus as we watched the Russian Waterbirth Movie!
After lunch at the Food Lovers Market, we gathered around to watch a the Russian Waterbirth movie and listened intently to hear the muted sound effects.
Joon and Laurie taking a love Break after the blanket exercise!The blanket birthing exercise elicited lots of action and birthing behaviour with fun and laughter and personal insights. As a parting exercise, we formed a circle and found our voices in singing to keep our throats and jaws soft and our hearts open. Finally we completed the day by reminding each other that the real task of labour happens after the birth!!
The Ladies still looking fresh at the end of a hard days work!
Thank you to each of you who came and participated with presence.
