Make it Monday - Meditation Cushion

In the October holidays Nico and I finished our first joint project - meditation cushions.

We've both been getting into spiritual hobbies; yoga for me and tai chi and meditation for Nico. The cushions really help to make things more comfortable.

We found this tutorial online and altered it a bit as we want to make seperate covers so that they're easier to wash. These are filled with chaff (the by product of wheat) and zip up. I think it took two days but was easily possible in one. I broke a needle on the zip but I was being rather gunho - slow and steady is a better idea.

Isabella loves them so I'm looking for a child friendly version - a beanbag seat maybe? - to make for her.

Pre-natal yoga

As I mentioned, I started a new yoga class last week. When I was pregnant with Isabella I did a bit of yoga at home but I didn't go to a course. Money was tight with all the other baby expenses and I couldn't find a local course.

This time my midwife recommended it. She said that many second time mums regret not doing as much for the second baby. For example, I won't be doing classes this time as I know what to expect and it's harder to find time to focus on this baby with my first one running around.

Luckily I found one here in Leeste and it's affordable because we don't have to buy as much for baby number two as we kept everything Isabella had.

Last Thursday was my first session and it was really moving. I'm hormonal as hell right now anyway but it felt like the first time I was making time to focus on this baby and our connection. It was also very relaxing which I really need at the moment.

It was a small group - just five of us and all the others are further along than me so we have to see how the course develops but I really hope we find some new recruits! It was an added benefit to meet other mums to be in the area and there's even talk of a baby yoga class.

The yoga was a mix of stretching and relaxing. I really noticed how tense I am and came out aching but in a good way. I'm feeling lots more aches in this pregnancy so it was good to work on them.

I find the leader, Marcella, really nice and she has a very sing song voice which helps to create such a calm atmosphere. I'm really looking forward to tomorrow.

Yoga

Since the start of the year I have been back on the yoga mat, this time indulging in some Buddha Bellies pregnancy yoga.  So far I am still on the thirty minute beginners section but I am loving it.  It's soooo relaxing and I have been doing it every Sunday so far so that I don't feel lazy when we stay in because of the weather.

In February, I will no longer be teaching on an evening so I plan to do yoga twice a week - the thrity minute session on a Wednesday afternoon and the forty five minute intermediate part on a Sunday.  I hope it will also help to prepare me for labour but at the moment I am just enjoying the relaxation both in my muscles and my mind.