Throwing out the "shoulds" in 2010

Thanks to guest blogger Sarina LaMarche, life & wellness coach, and author of the fabulous blog "One Balanced Life" for this posting about intention setting for the New Year. Happy dreaming & visioning!

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We here at Blooma are all about setting intentions, for your yoga practice and for your day. With the New Year approaching we wanted to suggest some alternatives to the traditional "resolution" setting that occurs. We encourage you to throw out the typical list of New Year's "shoulds" and instead embrace a more supportive practice of reflecting on the intentions you have for 2010.

Another idea is to write down all the things you want for yourself and your family in the new year. Think outside the box... think big.... and think small. Keep going until you can't possibly come up with another. Include not only things you want to do or achieve but how you want to be.

Some ideas include on my own list include:

• To spend time alone

• To be creative

• To be organized

• To start climbing

• To honor and respect

• To start climbing again

• To take a vacation with my family where we stay in one place

• To proofread stuff before I send it out

If one of your intentions in the New Year includes reconnecting with yourself, experiencing more balance or sense of presence in your life, you may want to consider signing-up for a Personal Renewal Group at Blooma. Blooma is the exclusive venue in the cities for these highly-acclaimed groups. The next group starts Jan. 14 at 7:30 p.m. Groups meet once a month for six months on the 2nd Thursday at 7:30 p.m. You can sign up for the next PRG here and read more about PRG at www.selfrenewalcircles.com.

Sarina LaMarche

Life & Wellness Coach

www.onebalancedlife.com

Reclaim and Rejuvenate!

Calling all moms searching for balance! (Um, isn't that most of us?) Sarina LaMarche, a life & wellness coach, has a new Personal Renewal Group (PRG) starting Oct. 21 at Blooma.

If you’re not familiar with her PRGs, they are AMAZING. Supportive, nurturing, empowering, and created specifically for mothers. The group meets once a month for 6 months to share in reclaiming, rebalancing, and reconnecting. With the daily business of our lives, who doesn’t need a little bit of help with reconnecting to who we are?

You’ll also learn:
* strategies for making self-care a priority so you can live, love, and parent optimally
* how to experience greater life balance. Each monthly session includes discussion, exercises, reflection time, etc.

What’s more, all this takes place within a community of other mamas you’ll get to know and create a meaningful connection with. These groups are based on the exciting new book The Mother’s Guide to Self-Renewal: How to Reclaim, Rejuvenate, and Re-Balance Your Life by Renee Trudeau. Check out www.reneetrudeau.com for more information.

Here’s what a few women in Sarina’s previous PRGs have to say:

“I’ve had the opportunity to work with Sarina in many different ways—a Personal Renewal Group and one-on-one. In every setting, I have been impressed with Sarina’s calming, understanding presence, her creativity, and her wisdom without condescension. She has a unique ability to challenge participants without making them feel uncomfortable… She doesn't use a cookie cutter approach; she encourages clients to explore different choices and options that fit within their own value system. Sarina's suggestions and insights have helped me find the path of motherhood and self-care that is right for me. I am so grateful to have found Sarina.”
—Amy, Minneapolis

“Sarina is simply amazing. After attending a mom’s group with Sarina, I knew I was ready to make some significant changes in my life. I worked with Sarina as my life coach, through her support and guidance, I was able to take significant steps toward creating the life I want as a mother and wife. I am continuing to work on positive changes through one of her Personal Renewal Groups. I highly recommend enlisting Sarina’s help as your life coach or by attending one for her groups. She will help you change your life in amazing ways.”
—Erin, Minneapolis

Sign up now for Sarina’s next Personal Renewal Group, which starts Oct. 21 at 7 p.m. You may also contact Sarina with questions, via her website: OneBalancedLife.com.

Love,
Alisa, Sarah & the women of Blooma

Talk VBAC options + support at Blooma this weekend!

Pregnant and thinking about having a vaginal birth after Cesarean (VBAC)? Whether you’re already planning a VBAC or researching your options, Blooma invites you to a VBAC workshop this Saturday night, from 6 to 8 p.m., to help put your mind, heart, and body at ease.

Join Blooma founder Sarah Longacre, life & wellness coach Sarina LaMarche, and C-section mama Anne Gustin for a candid conversation about your options for birth: from changing care providers late in pregnancy to researching your options for birth after Cesarean-section. During this informative evening, we’ll provide a safe space to ask plenty of questions, share stories, cover Cesarean support, and VBAC and HBAC options. We'll also spend time journaling about birth experiences and expectations. Spouses, partners, and labor companions are welcome to attend.

You may use your class pass for this workshop, or pay as a drop-in ($18). Please sign up on the 9/26 CLASSES tab or call Blooma, 952-848-1111.

Beyond the baby blues...

It’s a given that we all love our babies and children to the moon and back (and beyond). But let’s be honest: the transition to motherhood and the adjustment to caring for a new baby isn’t always easy. Sometimes it can be downright overwhelming. New moms can feel confused, lonely, and vulnerable.

Know that you don’t have to experience these emotions alone, and that there are plenty of resources in the Twin Cities (including Blooma) to find help, feel heard, create community, and get support.

I’ll admit that I was one of these women. Starting at 8 weeks postpartum, I was inconsolably depressed, though sprinkled in were really good days, too. Yes, I sought out counseling. I had to. It helped, along with getting out of the house, meeting other new mothers, breathing deeply, and practicing yoga.

If you’ve experienced postpartum depression or “baby blues” and want to share a word of encouragement for new mamas, leave a comment and let us know what helped you. If you want to learn more, read on.

Last month, Blooma staffers Sarina LaMarche (that's her, in the photo) and Amber Kay attended the Beyond the Baby Blues conference in St. Paul. Here are a few things Sarina passed along from the conference:

• 50 to 80 percent of new mothers experience the “baby blues,” which are gone by day 14 after baby’s birth
• 10 percent experience something deeper and more lasting Postpartum depression (PPD) can emerge three to 14 months after baby’s arrival and can include negative self-talk about themselves or the baby, lack of interest, and difficulty making decisions
• 22 percent experience postpartum anxiety (PPA), anxiety that includes intrusive thoughts and an inability to be reassured

Myths of motherhood:
• Motherhood happiest time in your life
• That it is instinctual and seems easy to everyone else
• You are bad mother if you aren't happy, can't breastfeed, or if caring for the baby is hard
• If I say “I am unhappy” it means I don't love my child
• I need to be a “perfect” mom
• Asking for help is a sign of weakness

Research suggests that women can find incredible power through connecting in groups pre- and postnatally. Blooma strives to provide options to make this happen. This includes Personal Renewal Groups and Moms' Nights Out (led by life + wellness coach Sarina LaMarche) and classes like BYOB Yoga and Yoga For You.

If you’re a new mom in need of support (or if you have a friend who you think needs help), ask any of the Blooma staff for resources. You can also click here to learn more about the postnatal workshops offered at Blooma.

Other wonderful resources include:
• The Parenting Oasis, a local center where you can go with your kids to relax, play, meet other families, have lunch, and participate in social and educational opportunities.
• Postpartum Support International
• Postpartum Support MN
• Jenny's Light
• MedEd PPD

Thanks for this information, Sarina.

Love,
Alisa, Sarah & the women of Blooma

Moms, feel renewed for free!

Sunday, May 17
FREE Self-Renewal Party for Mothers, 6-8pm
with Sarina LaMarche

Reconnect with who you are and learn about creating balance from the inside out. Enjoy time just for you, connect with other women and support each other in creating the life you desire -- and deserve! This fun, free girls-night-out is based on the highly-acclaimed book from Renee Trudeau, "The Mother's Guide to Self-Renewal: How to Reclaim, Rejuvenate and Re-Balance Your Life."

Bring a pen, a journal and a "pre-pregnancy" photo of yourself that represents a time in your life when you felt really alive (but don't stress if you can't find one)!

Pre-register on the Class Schedule.

Who says mamas can't party?

Mamas, you deserve a treat, and Life Coach Sarina LaMarche and Blooma have something sweet in mind for you! Relax, renew, and discover how to create a fabulously balanced life at our free Self-Renewal Party!

Based on the acclaimed book The Mother's Guide to Self-Renewal: How to Reclaim, Rejuvenate and Re-Balance Your Life, this is a party like none other!

• Transform mind, body, and soul through self-care
• Find time for you
• Share tips and swap ideas with other mamas about how to create life balance
• Talk about the national movement among women to better support mothers everywhere!

Join us!

• December 7th, 6-8pm
• The event is free, just be sure to register under the WORKSHOPS tab
• Bring a pen, a journal or notebook, and a pre-pregnancy photo that represents a time when you felt fantastic (note we said "felt" and not "looked" ... don't stress over finding the perfect pic!

Mamas Blossom: After Dark

Here's an invitation for new mamas whose babies are about 3 months to 9 months...
Hi Blooma mamas,
I wanted to invite you to try out a new support group we're offering at Blooma on Wednesday nights. From 7-8:30pm on Wednesday Feb. 13th and again on the 27th, join us for some friendly, cozy conversation about what it means to be a new mother. In this special evening class, we'll relax with a cup of tea or a glass of wine and some chocolate. We'll share ideas about how to care for ourselves and balance our lives. I'll teach you a simple mind-body practice or two that can help you relax into motherhood. If you've been to any of the Friday morning sessions, we'll loosely follow that outline, and we'll definitely be adding new topics -- like how to survive and thrive as a working mother!). I'd love to see you there on Feb. 13th or Feb. 27 -- or better yet, both! So far, these sessions have been very rewarding for the women who've attended, and we're especially excited to be trying out this evening time for moms who haven't been able to join us during the day!
I can't wait to see you at Blooma!
Sarina
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Sarina LaMarche
Life & Wellness Coach
Personal Renewal Group Facilitator

PS: You can use your class pass to attend this group!
And of course, we love it when you bring a friend ;-)