Guided Relaxation & Breathwork

Discover a nurturing oasis where guided relaxation and meditation exercises intertwines with pregnancy and fertility, fostering calm, confidence, and deep preparation for birth.

What to expect.

Guided relaxation feels like closing your eyes and listening to someone tell you the most interesting and vividly descriptive story. As you listen, your mind creates images and takes you on a journey of connection and self-discovery.

People who pray or practice quiet time, as well as people who are familiar with mindfulness practices, will find our guided relaxation sessions very familiar.

Through guided and focused relaxation exercises and visualizations, you can cultivate a heightened awareness of the present moment, alleviate stress, and promote a sense of calmness. By incorporating breathwork techniques into guided relaxation sessions, you can deepen the relaxation experience and enhance your well-being in every way.

Grab the Freebie

Grab the Freebie

Want to get an idea of what a Guided Relaxation session is like? Grab the Free Download that you can use to connect and bond with your baby after they are born!

What does the evidence say?

The Importance of Prenatal Bonding

Establishing a connection with your baby during pregnancy can:

• Enhance Emotional Well-being: Prenatal bonding helps mothers feel more emotionally connected to their baby, reducing stress and anxiety, and fostering a sense of joy and anticipation.

• Promote Fetal Development: Positive emotional states in the mother, fostered by prenatal bonding, can contribute to healthy fetal development, including improved brain development and emotional regulation.

• Prepare for Parenthood: Building a bond with your baby before birth can help parents transition more smoothly into their new roles, enhancing confidence and readiness for the challenges of parenthood.

Research Highlights

Research highlights the significant benefits of prenatal bonding for both mother and baby.

• Emotional Benefits: A study published in the Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, & Neonatal Nursing found that mothers who engage in prenatal bonding activities, such as talking to their baby and visualizing their baby, experience higher levels of maternal-fetal attachment and lower levels of prenatal anxiety.

• Fetal Development: Research from the University of California, San Francisco, shows that maternal stress levels during pregnancy can impact fetal development. Techniques like guided meditation, which reduce maternal stress, can lead to better outcomes for the baby.

• Parental Readiness: According to a study in the Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health, parents who practice prenatal bonding through guided meditation feel more prepared and confident for childbirth and parenting.

About our Classes:

Our sessions seamlessly integrate visualizations, calming techniques, soothing breathwork, and mindfulness practices.

Regardless of your familiarity with these skills, our guided sessions offer a serene and secure environment to honor the journey and support the remarkable changes occurring within you, fostering a deep connection to your body, your baby, and yourself.

The Prenatal Class:

Led Erica, a seasoned hypnobirthing instructor, the prenatal class on Thursdays at 5:30 pm offers an ideal preparation for hypnobirth, harmonizing calming techniques, gentle breathwork, and mindfulness practices tailored specifically for expectant mothers embracing this birthing method.

Develop inner strength and resilience, effectively managing discomforts often associated with labor while fostering a profound state of relaxation and focus.

The Pre-Pregnancy Class:

This is a class for women on a fertility journey or TTC. We meet on Saturdays at 12:30 and begin with Guided breathwork to encourage individuals to regulate their bodies, syncing it with guided instructions to induce relaxation responses in the body and mind.

By consciously engaging with their breath, practitioners can release tension, quiet the mind, and foster a deeper connection with themselves, ultimately facilitating a the best mind/body space to support a healthy pregnancy.

FAQs

  • If you are TTC or on a fertility journey, the Pre-Conception Guided Meditation class offers a nurturing space for individuals navigating the emotional and physical challenges of conception.

    Sessions integrate gentle breathing exercises, visualization techniques, and affirmations to support relaxation and stress reduction. By fostering a sense of inner peace and calm, participants can cultivate a positive mindset and enhance their overall well-being as they embrace their fertility with hope and resilience.

    Our compassionate instructor provides guidance and support throughout the class, creating a safe and empowering environment for women to connect with themselves and each other on this transformative path.

  • Yes! Prenatal Guided Meditation is perfect for individuals practicing hypnobirthing techniques. Classes seamlessly blend relaxation exercises, visualization, and affirmations to empower mothers for a calm and confident birthing experience.

    Through guided hypnosis and mindfulness practices, participants learn to release fear and tension, tapping into their innate ability to birth calmly and comfortably.

    Led by our experienced instructor trained in hypnobirthing methodologies, our Prenatal Guided Meditation class provides a nurturing space where parents can cultivate trust in their bodies and embrace the transformative process of childbirth with grace and resilience.

  • Yes! You do not have to have any prior experience. Our Prenatal Guided Meditation will teach you everything you need to know and offers a nurturing sanctuary for expectant mothers as they embark on this miraculous journey of pregnancy. Specifically crafted to cater to the unique needs of pregnant individuals, these sessions seamlessly blend gentle breathing techniques, visualization exercises, and affirmations to foster relaxation and emotional balance.

    Through guided meditation, participants are guided to connect with their growing baby, alleviate pregnancy-related discomforts, and cultivate a deep sense of inner peace and tranquility.

    Our classes provide a supportive environment where mothers-to-be can embrace the transformative experience of pregnancy with confidence and joy.

  • Yes! Our Prenatal Guided Meditation class serves as a vital tool in combating anxiety. Through carefully curated techniques such as mindfulness, deep breathing, and visualization, participants are guided to gently quiet their minds, release tension held in the body, and cultivate a sense of inner calm and tranquility.

    By regularly practicing these relaxation methods, attendees develop valuable skills to manage stress and anxiety more effectively, fostering resilience in the face of life's challenges.

    Our compassionate instructor provides unwavering support and guidance, creating a safe and nurturing environment where individuals can explore their inner landscape, confront anxious thoughts, and ultimately emerge stronger and more centered.

About your instructor.

Erica Manto Paulson is a certified doula and CAPPA faculty doula trainer, certified childbirth educator, and certified midwife assistant with 18 years of expertise in the perinatal field. Her commitment to empowering expectant parents shines through as she guides you on a transformative journey towards a positive and calm pregnancy, birth, and postpartum journey.