Laurence Turner Snatam Kaur Interview

Please tell us about your personal experience in pregnancy and birth.

What is the yogic practice that you found the most useful
- to help with pregnancy ailments
- for labour preparation

Snatam

I really enjoyed my pregnancy for the most part. It felt so amazing to have this being growing inside of me. It was something that my husband and I had been praying for. So with the grace of God and my Guru, we were able to really focus our intentions and prayer to create a Divine space for our baby to come into. We did this through Kundalini Yoga and the teachings of Yogi Bhajan, which really encompasses the practice of yoga, meditation and chanting.

It was through chanting track two, Jamiaa Poot, that is on our Divine Birth album, that I was able to release many fears about the experience of pregnancy and the preparation for birth.

You can take a look at the meaning of these sacred words composed by the fifth Sikh Guru and see that they are simply positive affirmations that the experience of pregnancy and birth is celebrated and held sacred in Divine energy.

The power of a mother’s mental projection can create or destroy a sacred space for the being growing inside of you. This sacred recitation not only helped me to create good energy every day inside me but to also maintain it and grow it for the coming days of birth and motherhood. There are so many incredible Kundalini yoga sets for pregnant ladies.

I will tell you about just a few to illustrate the grace and beauty that is available in this science. Ladies, you will know what I am talking about! When you are pregnant and constipated because all of your internal organs have moved with your growing womb, there is nothing more beautiful then doing a simple 45 minute kriya for a week and be totally healed. Through the practice of Kundalini Yoga every day I also believe that my daughter was positioned in the womb correctly for the birth.

Finally, my hips were saved by yogic walking, or Charn Jap. The list goes on, and I am sure there are other mothers out there with even more transformational experiences. Snatam Kaur Interview

Snatam Kaur Interview …

Laurence Snatam Kaur Interview

. I feel I know little about the Sikh tradition and the associated Mantras and Kirtans .

Is it necessary to have some knowledge to gain full benefit from the practice?

- should the students listen or also recite the Mantra as a meditation?

- how does the sound vibration work on the mother/baby?

Snatam Kaur Divine Birth Interview

Our spiritual teacher incorporated many sacred recitations from the Sikh way of life into the science of Kundalini yoga. Some of the most avid practitioners are not Sikhs. It’s just that these sacred recitations work, and I believe that it was his spirit of service that opened things up for him to share in this way. I grew up as a Sikh and have some natural experience with these recitations. Because the effectiveness of the recitations is due to specific meridian stimulation as the tongue touches the roof of the mouth, it is important to have some training. We designed our cd, Divine Birth, as a kind of training tool.

Each of the sacred recitations is recorded without music and slow enough so that the beginner can grasp on to the words. In fact this is what I did every day of my pregnancy.I recited the first track (Poota Maataa Kee Asees) eleven times a day to create the sacred energy of love and prayer between my daughter and I. Then I also recited the second track (Jammia Poot) eleven times per day, which according to the teachings of Yogi Bhajan, is to be recited before the 120th day of pregnancy to bring the soul of a saint. In Kundalini Yoga it is taught that a soul enters the body on the 120th day of pregnancy.

Snatam Kaur Interview

I certainly felt a major shift on that day and opted to keep reciting Jammiaa Poot throughout my whole pregnancy because I was simply enjoying the energy of it so much.
It is hard to describe the feeling that is created between mother and baby after doing these recitations. In fact my husband also did these recitations so I will include him as well. There is this unspoken serenity and bliss in our family.

Granted we have out hard days too. But there is a feeling of quiet peace that is just there that gives us a bit of flexibility to go with the ebb and flow, that gives us an internal sweetness and nectar when times are hard, and an internal compass to bring the sacred back into our lives. These sacred recitations come from the Divine light of the Sikh Gurus which lives in the sound current each time the words are recited. Whatever your faith may be this energy is available to you.

Snatam Kaur Interview

Laurence.

Could you tell us more about the importance of sound currents ?

Snatam Kaur Interview

The very first words of the Bible are…. “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was God.” The first words of the Siri Guru Granth Sahib, the sacred scriptures of the Sikhs is…..” The Creator of all is the One God and truth is God’s Name.”

In many traditions it is understood that the flow of creation comes from the sound current of the Divine which manifests itself through God’s Name.

When we chant God’s Name we tap into our own purity that is naturally within each of us. The more you can tap into this space the more your thoughts,vibration, actions, and words will reflect this space. Chanting God’s Name is simply a way to make the space of internal purity a reality on this earth plane. It brings the heavens to the earth. In the words of Yogi Bhajan, “we are not humans here to experience the spirit, we are spirit here to experience being human.”

Sacred sound current creates a home and sanctuary for your spirit on this great journey of life. It makes life Divine, and brings great joy and spiritual pleasure in the face of anything….pain, emotion, turmoil, and life!

But to really experience it you have got to immerse yourself into it in your daily life. I encourage you to start chanting with your family and friends on a regular basis.

I encourage you to have a regular personal practice, and watch the miracles that will unfold. Snatam Kaur Interview

Laurence.

Could you tell us more about your personal experience of how the energy of these sacred words can have a very real, positive effect?

Snatam Kaur Interview

While in labor I chanted with so much focus because of the pain, that I have never felt so close to God and Guru as that time.

It was such a beautiful blessing. Throughout our days now, as our daughter is now 20 months old we start each day together by chanting.

It doesn’t matter what the day has to bring, I know that if we chant our Grace will be covered. May you have this blessed experience as well.

Snatam Kaur Interview

Snatam Kaur Divine Birth CD Review

More Information

Snatam Kaur Divine Birth Interview

Instruction

Sitting Cross legged, take your right finger tips to the side of your right hip, Inhale raise the left arm to the side and over the Head, stretch up and exhale side bend over the right side.

Suitability

Second and Third Trimester. First Trimester if practised yoga before.

Precautions

Keep the movement small, do not let the left sit bone lift off the floor.

Benefit

Stretches the left side of the rib cage, provide space for the abdominal organs and the baby, may relieve heart burn

Practice

Throughout pregnancy, as part of a seated sequence or seated warm up to practice

Pregnancy Yoga DVD

Enjoy this special time.
Here is a basic synopsis of what yoga can do for you in
Pregnancy. Students commonly think of Yoga in terms of
fitness and relaxation and it is so but also much
more…. During Pregnancy senses are heightened mostly
because of the enormous amount of blood that circulates
in your veins, subtly affecting your internal own rhythm
or body clock and in turn your notion of time.

Because of this you are more susceptible to experience the real
benefits of Yoga, being able to experience the unity of
mind, body and soul through the breath and the sense of
relaxation and detachment that come with it. Of course,
Yoga does aim to make you birth fit and a lot of the
postures aim to build strength and stamina ahead of the
birth.

Another hugely important part of Yoga is the access to
instant relaxation through breathing techniques; this
will be of paramount important on the day of the birth.
Finally there are also some aspects which are less
discussed which are the mental and emotional preparation
for the birth and for having a baby.

The meditation aspect of Yoga will help to quieten the mind
and dissociate from the mind which will in turn help to
build the confidence that your body is built to
deliver this baby, and with this confidence the physical
discomforts will be lessened. As for the emotional bond,
Yoga offers you to share this quiet time for yourself
with your unborn child and perhaps already get to know
each other through the exchange of positive and joyful
thoughts, sounds and love.

During Labour the baby descends down the birth canal and the pressure of the head against the pelvic floor will be all the more effective than the muscle is toned, and hence more responsive.

In addition, as you develop your body awareness of this part of the body – generally taken for granted up to now – you are becoming able to purposely release, relax and loosen this muscle using your breathing on the exhale.

We need to learn to contract the pelvic floor so that we are able to relax it. Most exercises include contraction and releases. Ideally we should train the body to release on the exhale, which is what naturally occurs during breathing: on the exhale the diaphragm relaxes back up towards the rib cage and the pelvic floor domes back in toward the body. As we inhale the diaphragm extends towards the floor and so does the pelvic floor

Also note that it is common in Yoga and during exercise to lift the Pelvic floor muscles on the exhale while tightening the transverse abdominals: this is to hold in energy and provide support for the core muscles and back. The hold can be maintained as we continue to breathe normally. You can benefit from this practice to help keep the weight of your bump hugged in to avoid pulling on the lower back.

Pelvic Floor Facts

Pelvic Floor exercises can be practiced on all fours or sitting up or standing. As we aim to practice 50-100 contractions/releases per day, it makes sense to take advantage of times when you are sitting in the car at the traffic light or standing in a queue.

Pelvic Floor

This is the one exercise that you can resume immediately after birth to promote healing in the area.

Improved pelvic floor muscles also help in:
• Supporting extra weight that you are likely to experience during pregnancy
• Healing the perineum after you have given birth to your baby. It does so by increasing the circulation of blood into this region.
• Help with regaining full bladder control, the bladder being subjected to much pressure and stress in the last few months of pregnancy and during the birthing process

All about the pelvic floor

Yoga is believed to be a remarkable way that helps you stay flexible as well as prepare you for child birth. There are innumerable ways through which you can learn yoga. For instance, you can attend classes of some professional teacher. Additionally, you can also read books on yoga as well as play video tape so as to do yoga from the comfort of your home. Be sure to practice safely, follow the guidelines and ask your midwife or doctor if you have any question

Wide Pelvic Position

Wide pelvic positions are a great practice in preparation for labour all the way to late pregnancy to keep the pelvis mobile, flexible and open. However from 34/36 weeks, it is best to avoid deep squats and use a chair for support.

Some restrictions apply if you are suffering from Pelvic pain, SPD, weakened cervix or low placenta. Take extra care by keeping your feet and legs parallel and hip width apart if you want to practice the following positions and ask your physician whether it is safe for you or not. Wide Pelvic Position

• Start from the Mountain Pose
• Inhale and take your feet apart with toes pointing out slightly
• Exhale and bend the knees taking your hands to the heart centre
• Now inhale and come up by straightening your legs
• Take one breath to rest and repeat 4-6 times
• Continue repeating this yoga practice for a number of times

Wide Pelvic Position

There are other variations from the Warrior postures that can be practiced in a wide pelvic position. They will help build strength in the legs and in the pelvis.  Practicing low deep squats with the heels raised is also a very good practice as well as some variations of the Tree pose. As with other balance postures, ensure that you have a support to lean to should you lose balance.

Wide Pelvic Position

Designed to help you practice yoga throughout your pregnancy and to teach the art of relaxation and the importance of self-nurturing, following the DVD throughout your pregnancy will help you to connect deeply with your body, mind and baby.

Filmed in the beautiful setting of Byron Bay Australia, it takes you through breathing exercises, a full 40 minute yoga class, as well as yoga for the post-natal period to help you regain your posture once you have had your baby.

Yoga for Me and My Baby is presented by Kathryn Riding, a fully qualified and experienced yoga practitioner specialising in pre-natal yoga

There are six parts to this DVD: Breathing – 40 minute class – The Pelvic Floor – Third Trimester Poses – Restorative Poses – Post Natal Poses

So make sure you are lying comfortably, on your left side, head supported, cushion between the knees and under the bump.

This is the most important of your practice when you are giving yourself a chance to rest and let go, letting the body heal and repair and taking an opportunity to connect with yourself and your baby. Guided relaxation techniques are great for pregnancy yoga.

In this guided relaxation techniques relaxation exercise we are scanning all of the body parts from the toes to the head to mentally and physically release tension.

Now you can relax and let go, letting the feet flop out to the sides…. feel the weight of the heels …sinking into the floor, the right heel………and now the left …. Feel the right calf letting go onto the floor, now the left calf…..now taking your awareness to the right thigh, softly giving in, heavy into the mat,..now the left rolling out, gently resting into the ground,

Now feel the weight of  the buttocks, the pelvis and the hips……….. sinking into the floor, ……….the back spreading, feel the space the back is taking up on the floor up to the shoulders, ………the shoulders releasing,………. open, and free, the arms sinking into the floor.

Feel as if you are melting into the floor now although completely supported, keeping the neck long, the chin slightly tucked in, offering a sound base for the back of the head.

Guided relaxation techniques

Relax the muscles of the face, the jaw, feel the lips soften into a content smile, feel all the muscles around the eyes soften, the eyes sinking back into their socket, release across the forehead, and the top of the head, feel the scalp releasing down towards the mat

Guided relaxation techniques

You can let go even more now, as you sink into a state of deep relaxation, gently take your awareness to your breathing, follow the sound of your breath, feel the breath filling the abdominal cavity, gently massaging your baby as your abdomen softens and relaxes, to the wave like motion of the breath…each breath connecting you to your baby, exchanging life force and energy, but also calming and soothing, rocking your baby as you inhale and exhale……..now letting go of all thoughts as you lie there for a few quiet moment in silence, content and appeased.

Guided relaxation techniques was written by Laurence Turner

I feel indebted to Snatam Kaur and Spirit Voyage for sharing their new CD Divine Birth … I was instantly deeply touched by the beautiful pure voice of Snatam and the melody. My favourite track is the Guru Ram Das Lullaby, Track 4 which I loved instantly and have not tired of.

Snatam Kaur Divine Birth CD Explained

When I read the CD insert, I could instantly relate to Snatam‘s peaceful experience of putting her daughter to bed. I have often used Ujjayi breath to bring a meditative feeling of peace to me and my daughter at bed time. In fact, I now listen to Track 4 before going to sleep.

I then felt drawn to understanding a bit more about my other 2 favourite tracks on Snatam Kaur Divine Birth Track 1, the Pootaa Maataa Kee Aasees and Track 3 the Aadi Shakti.

Both are powerful mantras. The first one are words by Guru Arjan the Fifth Guru of the Sikhs, a saint in the 16th century who died as a martyr as he was working towards unity between different religions. His words encourage us to call the name of God, such recitation will help protect our children.

Snatam Kaur Divine Birth

I am delighted to be introduced to the power of mantra this way, Snatam Kaur is indeed making it easy for us all to start a personal practice of mantras through singing along to her CD.

With the Aadi Shakti, a mantra which is celebrating the power of women, I feel that at this particular time of a women’s life in pregnancy, we need to rely on the personal power and strength that unite all women in labour and motherhood. I therefore welcome Snatam Kaur Divine Birth celebration through singing.

Laurence Turner

Pregnancy Yoga Teacher

http://www.yogamoo.com

Snatam Kaur Divine Birth CD Review

I very much enjoyed speaking with Camella Nair who proved to be a kind, open, understanding and flexible  person and I really enjoyed our chat.

Her style is professional and her knowledge rich and inspiring.

In this interview  Camella talks about her teachers, training and her inspiration as well as  how she became interested in prenatal Yoga, Aqua Yoga, and Kriya Yoga.

We discussed the current trend for birthing in California and the use of water pools for natural birthing.

Camella Nair

Camella shared some of her personal experience dealing with pregnancy and birth, and how the use of sound vibration and mantra could help with keeping mental focus in Labour.

About Camella: Camella Nair teaches yoga in California.

She has written books on aqua yoga and prenatal yoga and recommends aqua yoga for the prenatal student.

She also offers a certification program that runs over a weekend for yoga teachers.

About Camella: Camella Nair teaches yoga in California.