Workshops

Sunday Iyengar Workshops
Birthing Body, Breath, Heart and Mind: a Contemplative Workshop
Birthing From Within
Cesarean Scar Rehabilitation Workshop
Intro to Yoga
Labor of Love: Partner Yoga for Birth
Valentine Workshop: Thai Massage for Partners

Sunday 2-hour Iyengar Classes

Starting in February, on the first Sunday of each month Naama will be teaching a 2-hour class that is open to anyone with 6-months yoga experience.

Birthing: Body, Breath, Heart & Mind: a Contemplative Workshop

Next Sessions:
*$350 with registration 30 days in advance of start date. Please note: the course is cumulative and attendance at all classes is highly recommended.

A. Saturdays 2:30-5:30pm
March 17, 24, 31, April 7, 14, 21

B. Saturdays 2:30-5:30pm
May 5, 12, 26, June 2, 9, 16

Often, the unknown invokes a sense of fear and powerlessness.  By cultivating mindfulness, knowledge, and a connection to their bodies, laboring women and their partners can find safety and power in the unknown.  Empowered, parents make choices that support a gentle and fulfilling birth--however that birth takes place. (detailed syllabus)

This course will take a two-part approach to childbirth education, exploring:

1. Inner Knowledge – awareness of mind, body and intuition
2. Outer Knowledge – the physiology of childbirth; modern and alternative birthing practices, understanding our choices in childbirth.

The above approaches will educate and encourage discourse on topics including:

• Inner Awareness Practices
  Breathwork; Yoga and Movement; Visualization; Vocalization
  Physical/Sensory Perception

• The Labor Process
  Stages of Labor, Emotions and Labor; Possible Complications &    Interventions; Cesarean Sections

• Labor Support Practices
  Laboring Positions; Partner Labor Massage; Guided Breath; Manual Pressure Techniques; Verbal & Emotional Support

• Setting the Space for the New Family
  Creating a Birth Plan; Standard Procedures and Alternative Options; Informed Consent

• Postnatal Care for the Family
  Breastfeeding; Newborn and Self-Care; Postpartum Resources

Families will be invited at 4-6 weeks postpartum for a reunion and complimentary infant massage class with with their fellow birthing class participants.

Kaeli Abrahams Sutton, RYT, NCLMT, is the founder and co-director of Motion Center. A mother herself, her most demanding and in-depth training has taken place through her own pregnancy, birth and ongoing study of motherhood. A Rhode Island licensed and Nationally Certified Massage Therapist, Kaeli holds advanced certification in Prenatal, Labor and Postnatal Massage, and in Thai Yoga Massage. She is a Registered Yoga Teacher with training in Pre- and Postnatal Yoga. Kaeli continues to research birthing practices and trends nationally and internationally. Kaeli is committed to supporting women and their partners through the deeply breathtaking, challenging and comical journey of birth and parenting.

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Birthing From Within: a weekend intensive

Birthing from Within weekend immersions approach childbirth as a profound rite of passage--hoever a baby is born. Classes prepare parents for birth by guiding them through empowering introspective exercises, teaching effective pain coping techniques, and providing practical information about the stages of labor and postpartum period.

Instructor Candor Plaza: "It is an honor to support new Mothers and Fathers as they prepare for their unique journey of giving birth and becoming parents! My involvement with childbirth has taken several twists and turns, beginning with my first Doula certification in 1995, and including foundational Midwifery training and apprenticeship, Childbirth Education training, and the births of my two daughters. I have had the privilege of attending many births in a variety of settings: at home, in the hospital, at birth centers and, once, in a Tipi! In 2009, I fell in love with the Birthing From Within approach to childbirth, and have been blessed to train directly with it's visionary creator, Pam England. As a Birthing From Within Mentor, it is my mission to not only impart useful information in my classes, but additionally to acknowledge, facilitate and celebrate the profound and sacred shift into Motherhood and Fatherhood that is happening throughout pregnancy, and especially in preparation for labor."

Cesarean Scar Rehabilitation Workshop

A workshop for women who have had c-cections, perineal tears or episiotomies. How our scars heal can have a vast impact on our health, including organ health, back health and fertility. How we feel about our cesareans, episiotomies or perineal tears can have an impact on our connection to our bodies, our births, and our babies. During this workshop you will learn simple massage techniques to help your scar heal well and functionally, and will be gently guided to reconnecting to your body. Mothers six-weeks postpartum or less must obtain written clearance to attend from their OB/Midwife. Taught by Kaeli Sutton

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Introduction to Yoga Series and Workshops

Offered in 4-week series, these introductory classes introduce beginning students to yoga poses, philosophy, breathing, and relaxation techniques. Motion Center teachers rotate teaching through the year -- different intro's will introduce students to the teacher's method and practice style.

JANUARY SERIES: IYENGAR YOGA with Naama Gidron

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Labor of Love: Partner Yoga for Birth

Bring your partner and join other expecting parents as we explore movements and postures that support the birth process. We will learn how and why different movements can make labor more manageable and effective. In addition, we will practice breathwork and meditation exercises to help build mindfulness and connection between mother and birth partner.

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A Valentine's Day Treat: Thai Massage for Couples

Spend a fun afternoon with your loved one, and learn how to give a relaxing and rejuvenating 30 minute Thai Yoga Massage.

Thai Massage and yoga practitioners Kaeli Sutton and Lisa Golde will guide you and a partner through a simple-to-perform and great-to-receive sequence, and will send you home able to recreate the experience on your own.

Motion Center director Kaeli Sutton has been a bodyworker for 12 years, and a yoga practitioner for 20, and loves engaging students with humor and heart. Body Kneads Yoga director Lisa Golde has been a yoga practitioner for over 10 years. She has been giving Thai Massage and Ashi-Thai for just under three years, and applies the sacred art of Thai Massage as a medium for healing and wellness.