MN Fatherhood Summit

(Quick reminder: Blooma is closed this week during construction.)

Some incredible presenters are going to speak later this week at the Strong Foundations Conference and the Minnesota Fathers & Families Network Minnesota Fatherhood Summit. Organizers say this year's conference theme, "Engaging Fathers, Strengthening Families," will focus on the integral role that fathers play in the healthy development of young children. Running from this Wednesday until Friday (Jan. 13-15), the conference brings in speakers like Dr. James McHale, author of the book Charting the Bumpy Road of Co-Parenthood, and Dr. Kyle Pruett, Clinical Professor of Child Psychiatry at Yale School of Medicine and author of Fatherneed. I'm sure it promises to be a fascinating few days.

Are you planning to go? If so, we would love to hear about it!

Love,

Alisa, Sarah & the women of Blooma

Dads get down in the dumps, too

You may have seen the story in yesterday's New York Times about how it's not just women who suffer from postpartum depression (PPD)—those feelings can overwhelm fathers, too. There is so much that still needs to be done about PPD awareness even when it comes to new moms, that it's easy to overlook the issues that can plague dads, too.

I'm sure I wasn't the only one surprised to learn about the science behind male PPD. As Times writer Richard A. Friedman, M.D., explains, "there is probably more to male postpartum depression than just social or psychological stress; like motherhood, fatherhood has its own biology, and it may actually change the brain... There is also some evidence that testosterone levels tend to drop in men during their partner’s pregnancy, perhaps to make expectant fathers less aggressive and more likely to bond with their newborns. Given the known association between depression and low testosterone in middle-aged men, it is possible that this might also put some men at risk of postpartum depression."

Fortunately, there are many resources for new parents (whether you're a mother or a father) that can ease the new-parent adjustment and feelings of isolation. The Twin Cities also boast excellent counselors to help sort through more complicated responses, like PPD. For more specifics, see Pregnancy & Postpartum Support Minnesota for the Minnesota Perinatal Mental Health Resource List, as well as more information about the emotional challenges that often accompany the first years of starting a family. Fathers may also want to check out a web site devoted just to them, called Postpartum Men.

New dads, also know that Blooma caters to families — fathers, too — not just moms. Be on the lookout for special classes just for you, like infant massage for dads. Or, drop your baby off in our childcare room while you take time to breathe and move in a Yoga For You class. We know that not everything is solved with a good yoga class, but taking time for you is a good start, whether you're a new mama or a new daddy.

Love,
Alisa, Sarah & the women of Blooma

Wknd Workshops: Prenatal + Boot Camp for Dads!

The chance to help raise money for a new birth center in Uganda continues this weekend! We're offering two special workshops in which all the proceeds will benefit Blooming in Uganda.

On Saturday from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., we want to see every pregnant mama in the house for a special 2-hour Prenatal Yoga and Chiropractic Workshop with Sarah Longacre and Dr. Tim Fargo. He'll talk about ways to reduce pain and discomfort associated with pregnancy by using safe and natural techniques. He will also give instruction in The Webster Technique, an effective technique that helps balance the pelvis which, in turn, can ease pregnancy pain, reduce incidence of breech births and shorten labor time. (Most doulas I know swear by the Webster Technique!) The suggested donation is $15-$30. Sign up now.

Dads, don't think we've forgotten about you! We're holding a Boot Camp for Dads this Sunday from 3-5:30 p.m. with personal trainer Anthony Arnold. The Vikings kick off at noon, and Arnold will be ready and waiting with a post-game workout. Go ahead: Tailgate all morning, then get your tail kicked (in a good way!) all afternoon! Sign up now.

Love,
Alisa, Sarah & the women of Blooma

Infant massage class just for dads!

Dads: I'm teaching a special edition of Rub-a-Dub infant massage just for you, this Saturday, July 25, 2-3 p.m. You may use your class pass or drop in. (Moms, if you have a pass, you may sign up your partner under your name). Sign up here.

If you're not familiar with infant massage, here's why you should consider signing up:

In one study, fathers who gave their infants daily, 15-minute massages before bedtime were more expressive and showed more enjoyment and warmth with their babies than fathers who did not participate in infant massage. That comes from a 2000 study published in the journal Early Child Development and Care. You can learn more at BabyLovesMassage.com.

More than that though, healthy touch is essential to giving your baby a sense of peace and security in the world and it's fun! Infant massage is great for both babies and dads.

For babies, infant massage can also help:
• relieve baby's gas, constipation, and teething pains
• promote deeper and longer sleep
• enhance neurological development
• boost the immune system
• improve blood circulation
• improve sensory awareness

Benefits for parents include:
• one-on-one quiet time promotes bonding and relaxation with baby
• helps ease stress of working parents who must be separated from their children for extended periods of time
• increases parents’ confidence in their abilities to read baby’s cues
• regular massage helps parents to unwind and relax
• enhances communication and builds respect between parents and baby

Discover a new way to connect with your little one at this upcoming Rub-A-Dub infant massage class geared especially toward dads! All you need to bring is your baby (3 weeks to pre-crawling), a blanket for baby, and a toy or two if baby is old enough to need a bit of extra entertainment.

Tell your other dad friends, too! Hope to see you on Saturday.

- Alisa
(and Sarah & the women of Blooma)

Dads need support, too!

We noticed that the Birchwood Cafe (yum!) posted something on its Facebook site about a group called Minnesota Dads at Home that gathered there yesterday. What a great idea! If you are a dad who stays home with the kiddos, or know someone who does, you may want to check out this group.

And, like any parent who spends the bulk of their time with their kids, surely you're always on the hunt for fun things to do. So mark your calendar for a date with Blooma!

We love it when dads come to class. Check out one of our interactive parent-baby or parent-child classes like Yoga for Tots, Yoga for Kids, BYOB (Bring Your Own Baby) Yoga, or Rub-a-Dub Infant Massage.

Need some solo time? Call ahead to arrange for childcare while you take a Yoga For You! or Fusion For You! class. Childcare is just $5 for the first child and $2 for each additional child.

See you soon, dads!

Alisa, Sarah & the women of Blooma

BYOB*Crawlers

We started a new class at Blooma today: BYOB*Crawlers: Bring Your Own Baby Yoga Bonding 2 ... a class for crawling babies and their caregivers. If you're familiar with the Yoga Bonding classes created by Lisa Bergly, then you'll instantly recognize the Crawlers class as YB-2, for babies who are on the move (up to about 18 to 20 or so months). Six babies brought their parents -- 4 mamas, 2 papas. Yay dads! The little ones and their parents did some yoga together at the beginning of the class, then while moms & dads did Sun Salutations, the babies played together, crawling all over the studio, checking out each other's mats, and exploring their little bit of newfound freedom. And then the babies got back in on the action for some standing poses before the moms and dads put their core and legs to work. The babies left eager for lunch and ready for naptime; the parents reported they got a great, short workout, too. The class is Sunday mornings, from 11am to 11:45am. Blooma teachers Shelly Shern (who led the way in creating the Crawlers sequence) and Jennifer Derryberry Mann lead the class on alternating weekends. Come join us sometime! Late-comers and drop-ins are always welcome, and of course, you can sign up in advance online.