Blooma closed Jan. 11-15

Great news: Blooma is adding a second studio space! That means we'll have even more class options and love to share.

Construction starts soon— next week. Sadly, we will be closed during the renovation from Monday, Jan. 11 until Friday, Jan. 15. Our wellness room will be closed an additional three days, until Monday, Jan. 18. But when we reopen, there will be even more of Blooma to love!

Depending on how construction goes, Sarah may add a few prenatal classes during next week— please check our schedule online that week for updates.

Please plan to come to Blooma for a class during our re-opening week of Jan. 18 so you can experience all the new, yummy energy Blooma has to share!. We'll be so excited to show you our second studio and revamped wellness and childcare rooms. We're even adding new teachers and additional workshops. See you soon!

Love,
Alisa, Sarah & the women of Blooma

Cupcake Lovers... hit Blooma tomorrow morning!

If you haven't yet heard of Sweets Bakeshop in St. Paul, head to Blooma first thing tomorrow morning (yes, Friday!) for a treat so delightful your taste buds will melt with happiness + joy. We'll be handing out free cupcakes to the first dozen yogis, courtesy of Sweets Bakeshop. Big thanks to Amber for scoring us these cupcakes to share!

Next time you're in St. Paul, check this place out — it's so beautiful you'll feel like you're in a jewelry store or a gallery, of course instead of diamonds and pretty paintings, you can sample homemade macaroons and dreamy little cupcakes in flavors like coconut ginger, peanut butter cup, and tiramisu. How many different ways can you say yum?

Love,

Alisa, Sarah & the women of Blooma

Blooma Birth Story: Theresa + Lola Marie

Blooma mama Theresa is one of the first moms to let us know about her 2010 arrival. Here's what Theresa wrote to us:

Lola Marie was born on January 3, 2010— 10 minutes shy of her due date. She weighed in at 6 lbs, 14 oz, and was 21 inches long.

We had a rockin' 33 hour labor. It started Saturday afternoon, and we went to the hospital on Sunday morning. It was the most amazing thing I have ever experienced in my life. Our doula, Liz Abbene, was fantastic and talked me out of about every intervention possible. I was nearly paying the midwives to give me an epidural and a C-section when the head was nearly out (the midwives were laughing at me). Haha!! As soon as that baby was put on my chest, that all seemed like history.

Welcome to the world, sweet Lola. Thanks, Theresa, for sharing your story and congrats on a job well done!

Love,
Alisa, Sarah & the women of Blooma

Show us some love - cast your vote!

Vote for your favorite Edina hotspots in Metro Magazine's "Best of Edina 2010." You'll need to fill in at least 10 entries (such as best coffee or best takeout), including your votes for Blooma, for your ballot to count. Maybe you love your massage therapist at Blooma and want to nominate her, or you want to vote for Blooma for Best Place to Workout. Thanks for all your continued support!

Love,

Alisa, Sarah & the women of Blooma

Save 20% on Blooma packages!

Check out our new, paperless, mobile coupon by clicking here!

How slick is this? Simply open the coupon on your phone, bookmark the link and show us the deal in the studio. Or, print out a copy and bring it in if you don't have a web browser on your phone.

New students receive $5 off your first Blooma class, while returning students receive 20% off Blooma packages. (Offer good until Feb. 1, 2010.)

Start your year off right by giving us a test run, or by ramping up your existing yoga practice. Whether you're taking a Yoga For You class, bringing your little one in for Tot Yoga or BYOB (bring your own baby), we look forward to seeing you in the studio soon. Feel free to pass the above link on to your friends, too. We love referrals!

Love,
Alisa, Sarah & the women of Blooma

Laboring + breathing on New Year's Eve

Props to Stephanie (in the blue pants), who chose to move her body and breathe right through contractions during Sarah's 2-hour prenatal class on New Year's Eve. Stephanie knew she was in early labor and powered right through a tough class with 31 other pregnant mamas.

Class ended at 11:45 a.m. and Stephanie gave birth just seven hours later at 7:14 p.m. WOW! Welcome to her yogi baby, June Lucille, who entered the world weighing 7 lbs., 2 oz. Congratulations, Stephanie! We hope to see you and your little one back for a BYOB yoga class when you're ready.

Were there any New Year's Day Blooma babies out there?

Love,
Alisa, Sarah & the women of Blooma

Working mamas: How keep up breastfeeding?

A HealthDay article recently pointed out a study that proved what most of us already know: returning to work too soon after your baby is born makes successful breastfeeding more difficult. The study, published in the journal Pediatrics, showed that moms who returned to work after six weeks or less are three times as likely to quit breastfeeding.

Why bother keeping it up when formula is so readily available, some might ask? For one, exclusive breastfeeding improves protection against many diseases, including bacterial meningitis, diarrhea, and ear infections. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that women breastfeed exclusively (meaning no water, other liquids or solid foods) for six months and continue breastfeeding for at least the infant's first year of life.

If you're a working mom who breastfeeds your baby, how have you made it work? We — and other moms — would love to hear your tips!

Love,
Alisa, Sarah & the women of Blooma