Pregnancy Yoga Book Giveaway

Introducing the Pregnancy Yoga Review and Giveaway with Kids Yoga Stories and Katie Manitsas

Enter contest at bottom of the post via the Rafflecopter online giveaway tool.

This is week #2 in our 10-Week Kids Yoga Resources Reviews and Giveaways.

It is with great pleasure that I introduce you to my dear friend, teacher, and mentor, Katie Manitsas.  My husband and I attended Katie’s Yoga Teacher Training at her Samadhi Yoga Studio (now Jivamukti Yoga Sydney) eight years ago.  We had just gotten married and doing the training was a magical way to begin our life’s journey together.  Katie is one of the most passionate, dedicated, intelligent, and hard-working people I know.  She is a not only a studio owner, but also a mother of two (with another on the way), doula, author, and ayurvedic healer.

Today, I would love to share Katie’s book, The Yoga of Birth, which was my go-to resource when I was pregnant.

What I learned from reading The Yoga of Birth during my pregnancy:

• Recommended physical postures (asanas) during pregnancy and a recommended asana sequence
• Chart of the Ayurvedic Body Types (doshas) with associated pregnancy and postnatal recommendations.  I am a “Vata” and felt validated when I read that Vata types are prone to post natal depression.
• Healing foods for pregnancy.
• Suggestion of Yoga Nidra as a way to relax.  This worked for me tremendously.
• Recommended music by Snatam Kaur.  I listened to the Grace CD in the afternoons while dozing.  Her soothing music got me through five long months of morning sickness.
• Set an intention for your birth.  I sat down a few days before the birth and made a collage with inspiring words and pictures to guide me through the process.  It was a therapeutic and calming exercise.
• Breathing techniques when giving birth.  I used the Extended Exhale technique through the contractions and birth.  I channeled the pain through the breath and remained relatively calm and focused.
• Wrapping belly after birth.  The hospital gave me a belly wrap which I wore for at least a month after giving birth.  It really worked for me and made me feel that I was holding the energy inward.
• Creating rituals for feeding, playing, and sleeping.
• The mantra “This too shall pass” helped me go through the challenging and isolating journey of a new mom, with no prior experience and no family nearby.
• Baby massage techniques.  I found the recommended book, Loving Hands, in our library which was an excellent resource.
• Recommended first solids.
• Tips for creating an eco-friendly environment.
• The yogi promise, Lokah Samasta Sukhino Bhavantu, which is translated as “May all beings everywhere be happy and free, and may the thoughts, words, and actions of my own life contribute in some way to that happiness and to that freedom for all.”  I have been chanting and singing the yogi promise to our daughter before bedtime since she was born.  She is now starting to say the words back.  It warms my heart.

This book is a true gift for a mom-to-be and I am honored that Katie has offered to send a copy to the winner of the following contest.

For this Pregnancy Yoga Giveaway, we will be giving away:

1 – The Yoga of Birth book: Wisdom drawn from yoga philosophy for pregnancy, labour and beyond by Katie Manitsas ($25.00 value)

1 – Kids Yoga Stories book of your choice (up to $15.95 value)

Please read the full Contest Rules below for details.

We look forward to your entries. Thank you for taking the time to participate.  Please let me know if you have any questions or problems with the Rafflecopter tool below, email at giselle at kidsyogastories dot com.

Pregnancy Yoga Giveaway

To enter the contest, please sign in using your Facebook account or email, and click on the different ways to enter.  You can enter every day using this Rafflecopter online giveaway tool.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Contest Rules:
1. International entries are welcome.
2. You can be any age to enter.
3. Participation in the contest constitutes that you agree to the Contest Rules.
4. Please enter using the Rafflecopter tool above, obtaining points as follow the different options. You can enter every day.
5. No purchase is necessary.
6. Kids Yoga Stories and Katie Manitsas accept no responsibility or liability for any injuries or losses that may result from practicing the yoga poses in the books. Please ensure your own safety and the safety of the children.
7. You must enter the contest giveaway with a valid email address. The winner will be notified by email and at that time we will request your mailing address. The shipping of the book can take some time, depending on your location. Kids Yoga Stories and Katie Manitsas will ship the books to you separately and will cover the shipping costs.
8. Let Giselle know if you have any questions by emailing her directly at giselle at kidsyogastories dot com.
9. The contest will close on Tuesday, October 14th, 2013, midnight PST.

Like to know of other Contest Giveaways?  Sign up for our weekly Kids Yoga Stories Newsletter (put name and email address into box at the top of the page) to get updates of the upcoming weekly giveaways!