In recent posts, I never addressed the fact that I am pregnant! But by now, as I begin my third trimester, it is kind of hard to ignore! As an active person, I’ve remained so throughout my pregnancy, and besides typical first trimester nausea and a few brutal bouts with menacing migraines early on, I embraced my slowly shifting shape and never really felt inhibited or encumbered by it! Until now!
At which point, I’m starting to realize my limitations and that I actually have them! Old injuries and acknowledged weakness are, now, more easily aggravated; I’m feeling pressure and pain in new areas during
ordinary activities; and the character of my movement is somewhat altered! As this baby boy starts to make his presence known and my center of gravity has been thrust forward, I’m a bit slower and more deliberate, if awkward!
After making the move to TriBeCa, a wonderful, family-oriented neighborhood easily accessible to Hudson River Park, my husband and I have enjoyed the end of summer and beginning of fall with morning runs through Battery Park or along the river up towards Chelsea Piers. But recently, I started to feel a lot of pressure in my burgeoning bump. While we had initially been increasing our distances and pace, I began requesting walking intervals that were becoming necessary and for longer periods. I pushed myself hard and long until I realized that, for me and for baby, it was no longer pleasurable to pound the pavement with these added pounds of pressure! So for now, we are more comfortable going for gentle walks along the river. And I have begun implementing different forms of low impact cardio to supplement my also somewhat tempered, prenatal-tailored pilates and yoga routine at Studio Anya!
In a recent pilates session with Sarah, I felt that my exertion levels were disproportionate to the routine exercise I was performing, and I expressed exacerbation at my diminishing fitness and endurance. Sarah encouraged me to continue to have self-compassion and embrace the beautiful change. Sometimes we need to modulate, even capitulate, in order to cultivate and propagate! With slight modifications to certain exercises and positions, Sarah showed me that I can get an even more effective workout. Extra exertion does not always equal added benefits. And sometimes, it’s even okay to take a pregnant pause!
Christie has always been inspired by movement. But from a young age, it was a pony’s prance, a warmblood’s majestic gate, that was most captivating. A dedicated student and an avid equestrian, Christie was committed to the sport and enamored with the animal. Learning how to move with and communicate to these gentle creatures was a daily practice and her devotion. When she handed over her helmet to focus on academics, she felt a real sense of loss and disquiet. But her passion continued to ignite and excite her soul. Christie began to explore new and different movements. To quiet the disquiet and to keep moving, Christie experimented with every of-the-moment fitness fad, from running to pilates, cycling, strength training, boxing, the ballet barre and yoga, you name it. But finding Courtney and Anya and studying the Aum Curriculum has reignited her spirit and renewed her energy. And now Christie finds herself “purposefully fidgeting.” Equally challenging and inspiring her in both mind and body, this new movement philosophy quite literally resonates in her core. As a new mom-to-be, Christie shares her practice with her future tiny yogi-to-be and Sage devotee who has already shown signs of movement at the sound of Aum! Christie also works as a freelance media consultant for two Mexico-based event planning companies. She is co-developer, along with her husband, of the “Beach Box,” an eco-luxe “container home” on Long Island’s East End. There, they plan to build more eco-conscious homes and awareness around sustainable development.
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