by
Gina Tolleson, originally printed in The Santa Barbara News-Press
July 31, 2006
And
baby makes three for me. Three boys, that is . . .
Yes, I am expecting another bundle of male joy this coming December,
so please accept this surprising news as "Christmas in
July": your holiday card, present and Happy New Year all
wrapped into one! No time, rest, mass mailing or champagne cheer
for this weary mother of three boys this year.Since
I've been off the couture market for two years running now (thank
goodness I made that quick trip across the pond to Paris back
in January to get my fix), pregnancy is my free pass to indulge
in body, mind and spirit.
There
is no better time to spa yourself into oblivion than those 40
weeks of miracle baby-making. I always tell expectant mommies
that their prenatal budgets are best spent on massages, facials
and body treatments at this delicate time rather than on pink
or blue blankets and pricey maternity dresses with bows (those
can be for your generous friends to bestow at your gifty showers).
I
say, just relax, take care of yourself and your growing belly,
and you will have happy, healthy, blissful babies.
Both
of my calm newborn boys arrived in this world with an affinity
for ylang-ylang massage oil and plush, Egyptian cotton robes.
Hmmm . . . wonder where that came from?
Preggie
pampering has a wide range of options (and, trust me, you will
be hearing about all of my A-List adventures in the next few
months to come) -- from the holistic to the 0x9fber-luxe.
My
first call, after the test turned blue and I picked my husband
up off the floor, was to my healing honeys -- Ayurvedic practitioners
Claudia Brachtl and Corinna Maharani of the Prana Center.
You
see, for moi, from the minute I conceive, the nausea, headaches,
acute sense of smell and extreme fatigue set in faster than
I can say "holy epidural."
Claudia
and Corinna, both stunners from Germany, offer prenatal and
postpartum drug-free relief by using acupuncture and Ayurvedic
massage techniques. On my first
visit,
I enjoyed an Ayurvedic foot massage as well as an abhyanga body
massage. This calmed my morning sickness quite a bit. On subsequent
visits (I suggest twice a week or weekly if you can), they used
specially formulated oils to strengthen the tissues and support
the elasticity of my stretching skin, followed by warm, wet
towel presses soaked in holy basil.
"Basil
and other aromas are selected based on their effectiveness to
reduce morning sickness," says Corinna, who also uses medicinal
oils and herbs from India to help balance stressed pregnant
women.
Claudia
helps ladies with babies with her acupuncture, as well. Using
meridian points along the body, her needles can soothe digestive,
emotional and hormonal imbalances -- even those late-night cravings.
Certain points in the ears help to control those sugary-sweet
longings while foraging for two. While I occasionally still
desire In-N-Out Burger and Trader Joe's green tea ice cream
by the gallon, lately, I reach for much healthier fare such
as farmers market blueberries, figs and organic bing cherries.
She
even has a "happy pregnancy" point near the shoulder
blades in the upper back.
This
calms the emotional effects from cooking a bun in the oven.
Ever heard of uncontrollable sobbing, huffy-puffy stomping and
wild mood swings the likes of Tarzan? My husband is petitioning
Claudia for permanent needle placement if possible.
"I've
also had great success inducing labor for women who were overdue,"
says Claudia, who had an acupuncture appointment scheduled with
me the day I gave birth last year.
Needless
to say, I canceled. "Acupuncture for inducing labor is
not only very effective, but it also relaxes the mother-to-be
and sets the stage for a more relaxed birth experience."
We
are trying to schedule this a little better next time.
(by
Gina Tolleson, originally printed in The
Santa Barbara News-Press July 31, 2006)
About
Claudia Ward (Brachtl)
Claudia
Ward (Brachtl), L.Ac. is cofounder of The
Prana Center, Santa Barbara's exclusive healing center
for Ayurveda and Chinese Medicine, offering authentic
Ayurvedic bodywork, marma therapy, consultations, nutrition,
acupuncture and Pancha Karma cleanses. She is a Licensed
Acupuncturist, Diplomate of Acupuncture, Diplomate of
Chinese Herbology and an Ayurvedic practitioner.
Claudia
may be contacted at:
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
USA Phone and Fax: 805-560-9727
email: claudia@beyondacupuncture.us
web site: www.beyondacupuncture.us
See
Claudia's page in this Wellness Directory
|
About
Corinna Maharani
Corinna Maharani is a graduate of the Ayurvedic Program at the
Maharishi International University, Fairfield,
Iowa. She is well educated in the field of Ayurveda
and has studied Ayurvedic medicine for over 12 years.
She has worked with renowned Ayurvedic Physicians in
both the US and Germany and has 10 years of clinical
experience.
Corinna may be contacted at:
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Phone: 805-452-2526
email: ayurveda@maharani.us
web site: www.maharani.us
See
Corinna's page in this Wellness Directory
|