The Couple's Birthing Intensive was THE BEST thing Chris and I have done for our baby-to-be, relationship... to prepare us for the birth. It was just awesome. It made me feel like the end is in sight and we can do this. I wish I would have taken it with Ama and Elijah's pregancies. It would have helpd a lot.

Her class made us both feel so excited. Chris said, "We should do something like that together more often." It definitely brought us closer and more together and ready for the upcoming labor. When we were looking into eachother's eyes and had our hands on the baby and on eachother's hearts I closed my eyes and started to just cry my eyes out. It felt so good to connect like that with eachother and with our baby.

 I just wanted to write and say that I would definitely recommend Dr. Liz Orchard to anyone who is searching for a better way to guide their family in healthy eating. She was very thorough and addressed issues that were present and dealt with them.  She is very kind hearted and sensitive to what was on our mind.  She gave us knowledgeable information so that we could guide our family in the proper way to eat.  Like I said before, I would definitely recommend her to others. Thanks!

I have several friends who are expecting, and I tell them all to check Blooma out; I think it's so important to have a supportive, positive community around you with people cheering you on. Taking that HypnoBirthing class really made me feel like I could face delivery with confidence, and I am very grateful for that. Just being exposed to an alternative message, one that does not focus on fear but on possibility and strength -- that all makes a big difference. It's good stuff you all are up to there at Blooma. 

My labor was about 18 hours long. It was harder than I ever could have imagined. And i'm sure i could not have done it without all the yoga training. I swear all those push-ups gave me the strength to use the squatting bar and hold myself up for what felt like hours. My biceps are unbelievably sore still. I also made a lot of noise getting through the contractions--I favored the very loud, very low "oh" sound we had practiced in class--a huge help. I always wondered when we did that in class if i would be able to let loose and be vocal during the actual labor. That ended up not being a problem at all. In fact, I think I might have frightened my friends with my primal animalness. I also made sure I used all the laboring positions we'd practiced--although I didn't do any three minute goddesses!

I really can't tell you enough how integral my pre-natal yoga practice was to having the kind of birth experience i wanted. I can't even imagine how things would have gone differently without all those months of physical and mental preparation. I feel so lucky to have had the opportunity to come to Blooma every week and prepare myself for the biggest event of my life in such a supportive, positive space.

thank you, thank you, thank you and take care,

I just got the Blooma Anniversary email.  It brought a big smile to my face.  I attended Blooma for most of my pregnancy and throughout my first year as a new mommy.  The classes were consistently highlights of my week.  When I started going to your classes I was new to Minneapolis and didn’t really know anyone, let alone anyone with a baby.  Having a place to go that was so comfortable and full of such warm, caring people was incredible.  I’m a bit shy so I wouldn’t say I got to know many of the women well, but even being around the familiar faces in a beautiful environment was soul quenching for me.  You studio makes a difference even to us quiet ones!  I didn’t know much about yoga or holistic health care before my time at Blooma.  It made a real difference in my life.  I’d never felt so ‘right’, aligned, and at peace.
 
After my daughter turned one we moved to Cincinnati and I went back to work.  So I’ve been without Blooma for a few months now.  I really miss it, and the nice feelings that always filled me up when I was there.  As crazy as it sounds to say, it is one of the things I miss most about Minneapolis.  There is nothing like Blooma here (or probably anywhere else!) – you are really onto something and I think truly improving the lives of mommies and babies.  I’m filled with so much gratitude for having been part of your community, even if just for a little while…
 
Thank you for the difference you’ve made in my world, and that you are making in so many others.

Before the big delivery day I wanted to thank you all at Blooma for helping to make my pregnancy so special. 
 
I was new to yoga when I came to the Beginner’s Workshop with Summer, and felt so comfortable and welcomed that I started coming back regularly.  I was trying to adjust my workouts for my ever-changing body and energy level and yoga was a great fit.
 
Over the last 5 months I've come to love yoga.  I really like the physical benefits of working up a sweat and being reminded that although I have a belly, my body is strong, I'm not broken and there's a lot I can do.  There have been a number of times where I've had a pain or some discomfort and the class I went to was just what I needed and I left feeling so much better.  Someone commented the other day that they were impressed that I could "still kneel down" and I couldn't imagine what it would be like to think I couldn't kneel or not be able to.  I attribute a significant part of my confidence in my strong pregnant body to what I've learned at Blooma.
 
I've also come to love the spiritual aspect of yoga.  I didn't think I'd be able to quiet my mind and thought that I'd be frustrated during the 75 mins., but I quickly learned that with the help of the instructors and other students that I was able to quiet my mind and it was exactly what I needed.  Soon after I started taking classes at Blooma I began looking forward to that special time to work my body but to also connect with my body and my baby.  There have been a couple of times in Sarah's classes that I've been almost moved to tears during the guided meditation.  These have been special times to think back on and they've been helpful because although I don't have a strong sense of whether our baby is a boy or girl and I can't really tell the difference between a knee and an elbow, I know that I have a special bond with my baby.

Sarah,
I am sitting here at home, four short days after giving birth to our little Harriet Jane, and thinking of you.  You must know, given that you've opened two very successful locations of your Blooma studio, that you are a special person with amazing gifts.  That said, I'd like to remind you just why you've been given these gifts and how blessed I feel to have had you in my life during such a transformative time.  I've had the opportunity to attend only a couple of yoga classes, but it was the Couples' Birthing Intensive that really impacted my birth experience the most.

About halfway through this (my fourth!) pregnancy, I changed directions and started really thinking about having a more natural birth experience.  I went from thinking about a natural birth to doing it.

I felt armed with information, tools, and a new found sense of determination after leaving your class.  While I normally feel a bit intimidated in the presence of doctors and don't always speak my mind, your gentle reminder that we need to be advocates for ourselves and our children really encouraged me to be strong, to speak my mind clearly and firmly.  And to trust myself.  

The way in which you and your class affected Shawn and me the most, however, was that it helped Shawn reach his potential as a partner and "coach" (as he called himself) in my birth.  He has been known to be a fainter in all situations medical and usually is more of a liability in the delivery room, taking the nurses attention away from me while they tend to him.  

But, because of your class, which you said right then and there was "more for the dads," he was prepared.  He did a great job and feels proud and fulfilled by his own participation in the birth of our baby.  He had his binder full of materials.  He had Vitamin Water and snacks for me.  He pushed on the right spot on my back for every contraction.  He knew the right things to say and remained remarkably calm (almost annoyingly so at times!) throughout the whole process.  Shawn credits his sense of calm with knowing what to expect.  He said it was your incredible acting skills when demonstrating the stages of labor really helped him prepare in advance for what he'd see.

After hours of brutal back labor, my sunny-side up little sunshine greeted us, made everything worth it.  We did it!  I am so happy to be sitting here right now with my own little miracle: a lovable, healthy, sweet baby girl.  She smells so good I can barely stand it; she is just delicious.  And I am...well, amazingly enough...not too much worse for wear.

Thank you so very much for letting me share my story and for - well, for being you!  Your gifts, and your willingness to share them, really do change people's lives.  I feel blessed to have met you and wish you all the best.

"I had a fabulous experience with Meredyth on Saturday. She made me feel comfortable and secure before the session started and completely relaxed and safe during the session. I wish I could do this every week! Thank you!"

For the past 4 weeks I have been meaning to email you and thank you for your part in my birth experience.  I'm not sure what motivated you to open Blooma, but I'm so glad you did.  It has been such an amazing source of information and inspiration for me during these last several months.

Julia Rose was born on October 2nd.  I had taken your early bird yoga class that morning and my husband thinks I probably went from 2 - 6 cm during your class, because by the time we got breakfast and made it home I was rushing him to get the hospital bag packed.  When we checked into the hospital I was 9.5cm (10cm during a contraction).  At 5:10pm, after only 7 hours of labor, we were holding our 8lb 7oz daughter.

It might be that I was just lucky to have a quick, relatively pain-free labor as a first time mom, but I think it was in large part due to the resources and support I received through Blooma.  I am grateful to the many wise women there; the yoga instructors, Childbirth Collective members, other moms, and especially you. 

I have often shared your insights with my pregnant friend on the west coast, and who knows who she passes them along to.  Your contributions reach farther than you will ever know.

Through Blooma we found our childbirth class with Liz Abeene (which was wonderful) and this just continued through finding a chiropractor, good massage therapist, acupuncturist, doula, etc. 
 
Although there's so much that's unknown about the big day that's getting closer, I have a good mix of excitement and anticipation and I'm looking forward to seeing what's on the side of what I'm sure will be an amazing birthing experience. 
 
Thanks to all of you for helping make this such a special experience.  I never would have guessed what was ahead when I walked into my first class :)

Deborah is amazing. I have done a lot of bodywork/energywork over the years, and have never felt what I felt last night. She is really gifted and I know that she is going to be really helpful on my journey to getting pregnant.

I took the Prenatal Yoga class with Betsy last night and had a fabulous time!  Every Blooma employee that I chatted with was extremely kind, helpful, and went out of their way to see how I was doing. I’m VERY impressed with the facility, class, and staff.  I am looking forward to attending another class this evening.  :)

I had a massage with Stacy yesterday and it was wonderful! My only disappointment is that I haven't had more already and now I'm running out of time to get more (I'm 33 weeks). I LOVED using the pillow and lying on my stomach. For the first time in a while, my entire body felt totally comfortable and not at all pregnant. It was glorious! But the best part is that feeling lasted. I felt totally restored afterward and truly felt lighter and more comfortable. I will certainly be back again and will recommend a prenatal massage at Blooma to all my pregnant friends!

We came home from the hospital on a Friday.  I remember nursing my sweet baby girl Saturday morning and realizing it was 9 am.  It felt so strange not to be at the prenatal yoga class I'd been to every week for months!  When I described that very happy but almost "out of place" feeling to other new moms they don't understand it, unless they are part of the special place that is Blooma.  Blooma and its people build an incredible community of support throughout the journey into motherhood, support which I have since enjoyed "on the other side" as well.  Thank you Sarah and thank you Blooma for helping start my daughters' lives with positive momentum!

Hi Sarah,

I wanted to tell youl about my initiation consultation with Liz Orchard. She was absolutely wonderful to talk to, and I look forward to working with her to resolve my health issues. It's soooo nice to work with someone who works to treat the whole patient and not just prescribe a pill. Liz is very kind and caring, and I would recommend her to anyone.

I wanted to reach out and thank you for the wonderful birthing class experience that Paul and I were able to attend last Saturday. Honestly, Paul has not stopped talking about it and has already jumped into applying much of the support techniques he learned. I am thrilled by the intimacy he and I were able to create for our little family, as well as being able to chat with the other couples going through the same experience. We truly appreciate what you have created at Blooma and I wanted to recognize you for it!

I am a nanny of two (Alex is 3 years old and Maddie is 16 months old) and we have been going to Blooma since it opened in its new location on Lyndale. We have enjoyed both baby and tots yoga. Maddie loves stretching, playing, and receiving massages in baby yoga. She even loves and responds well to it when we do it at home. Alex is all smiles when he knows we are going to yoga class and to see his teacher Sarah. He is a shy little guy and usually observes more than participates, but Blooma has opened him right up and he participates the whole way through, trying new poses, singing and laughing the whole time. The instructors and staff are welcoming and are great with the kids. Blooma is a blast for all and I recommend it to everyone.

I am a nanny of two (Alex is 3 years old and Maddie is 16 months old) and we have been going to Blooma since it opened in its new location on Lyndale. We have enjoyed both baby and tots yoga. Maddie loves stretching, playing, and receiving massages in baby yoga. She even loves and responds well to it when we do it at home. Alex is all smiles when he knows we are going to yoga class and to see his teacher Sarah. He is a shy little guy and usually observes more than participates, but Blooma has opened him right up and he participates the whole way through, trying new poses, singing and laughing the whole time. The instructors and staff are welcoming and are great with the kids. Blooma is a blast for all and I recommend it to everyone.

I had a pressure point massage on Sunday and LOVED it!  I recently had a pre-natal massage at my local gym and was uncomfortable for the whole hour.  They didn't take into account my belly and had me lay on my back for almost half of the massage!  So, going to Blooma and having a massage tech that specializes in pre-natal massage was worth the drive up from Eagan!
 
Amber Kay asked questions before the massage and we had a nice dialogue, which helped her focus on the areas that are of issue this late in my pregnancy!  She had great pressure and made me so relaxed!  This is my 2nd massage with Amber Kay and would not pick anyone else!  If I am still pregnant at 41 weeks, I will be scheduling another massage with Amber!

I want to personally thank the incredible yoga instructors I took prenatal yoga classes from.  Their weekly teachings (along with HypnoBirthing classes) helped a great deal during the recent incredible birth of my son.  Mateo Wellstone Dosh Galdames was born on April 21, 2009 at 3:08 am after 10 hours of labor, all but 45 minutes of which I did at home.  He was a water birth, born at St. Joseph's hospital in St. Paul.  He weighed 8 lbs 13 oz. and was 21 inches long.  After my first birth (58 hours of difficult labor), I was thrilled.  I managed to stay so relaxed that it was actually quite easy to birth him.  I credit yoga and HypnoBirthing.  Thank you!

My massage with Meredyth was wonderful!  She is both very professional and caring, and gives a fantastic massage as well!  I was super comfortable and relaxed and she was willing to meet my needs while at the same time using her knowledge as a bodyworker to meet the needs of my body and 40 week old baby.  Awesome experience!

We had a very nice time at the Couple's Birthing Intensive class last Saturday.
Sarah Longacre was awesome! Very informative and held our attention closely the whole class.

My son just turned two last week but, as Blooma moves away from its first home in Edina, I wanted to finally write my thank you letter. When I first came to Blooma I was 12 weeks pregnant with my first child and I didn’t know whether I would even like yoga or be able to make it through a class. But I quickly felt a connection with yoga and to the spirit and the angels that exist so richly at Blooma. Sarah’s prenatal classes scared me some days with the telling of actual birth stories and yoga poses (like “goddess”) that pushed me beyond what I thought I was capable of. But we would end every class in a long shavasana listening to classic Blooma songs like the Dixie Chicks “Lullaby” and I would be left with this incredible connection to the life inside my belly.
My son’s birth was relatively traditional (especially for Blooma). I gave birth at Southdale Hospital, opted for an epidural and had an amazing nurse who coached me. But my traditional birth story was enhanced so greatly by my yoga experience. My nurse couldn’t believe I wasn’t a 2nd or 3rd time mom with how calm I was. And so I was able to welcome my son with fearlessness and strength. My doctor was very close to recommending a c-section because my son became stuck against my pelvic bone but I was able to calmly push through. Because of what I learned at Blooma I can look back on that day with gratitude for a healthy son and pure joy in welcoming my little guy into a life filled with love.
After my son was born, Blooma was the first place I wanted to come back to. I counted down the weeks until I had healed enough to return. The post natal classes became a chance for me to connect with myself, outside of so much time whole-heartedly caring for my son.
When only one year later I found myself facing an unexpected and heart-breaking divorce, I poured myself into my yoga practice. I was able to find unconditional love at Blooma and with the angels I brought with me to every single class. The emotional baggage of my failing marriage found its way out during class and so many times I would find myself in tears during hip openers or our final shavasana. Blooma became one of the things in my life that remained constant and that I could count on for healing and to help me look toward the future, toward possibility.
I am so appreciative of having a space to be on my mat no matter what was happening in my own life and I specifically want to thank all my teachers at Blooma for serving as my guides along the way.

Thank you Blooma!!

I attended my first belly barre class this week with Sarah and it was a blast! I hope to be back this week. It was such a great way to connect with baby and challenge myself physically with the support of other mama's. I'd recommend barre at Blooma to everyone- pregnant or not!