chanting | Paper Clay Nature

Spread Your Lips for a Better Birth

August 15, 2013

Posted by Sharon

I have a prediction that this may become one of my most popular blog posts. Just wanted to put that out there right from the start.

Ina May Gaskin has noted that:

Early in my midwifery career, I observed another fascinating relationship pertaining to the Law of the Sphincter. I noticed a strong connection between the sphincters of the mouth/throat and those of the cervix and yoni. A relaxed mouth means a more elastic cervix. Women whose mouths and throats are open and relaxed during labor and birth rarely need stitches after childbirth. (Gaskin, pg. 178)

Research now shows that what Ina May Gaskin observed is also supported by actual anatomical features of the mouth and cervix.(As of 4.16.16 it has come to my attention that this link no longer works.)

Cervix and vocal fold tissue behave similarly in smear tests.

Vocal Folds

Cervix

So mamma, what can you do to keep all your lips relaxed from your mouth to your perineum?

1. Keep people with you in labor who can help you laugh, remind you to sing and chant and keep your face as relaxed as possible. Now, anyone who has been in labor or attended to a woman in labor knows that demanding that someone “relax your mouth” is not only ineffective, but it is not respectful. The best thing to do is help the laboring woman remember by doing a mouth relaxation exercise yourself where she can clearly see you. Watching YOU relax YOUR mouth will remind her to do the same.

2. “Horse Lips”—-flutter the lips on your mouth during contractions. It not only helps regulate breath and manage pain, but it is kind of hilarious and fun too. Practice when you are relaxed and in private while pregnant and you will automatically do it while in labor. It may feel silly when you aren’t in labor, but you will reach for this amazing trick when the going starts to get strong during labor without question.

3. Sounding: The seed syllable to chant for the navel center is RAM. Sit in your strength during labor or stand or dance and chant RAM deep from the basin of your pelvis. In order to pronounce the “RA” part of the chant you have to make an open oval of your mouth. Then, when you go to close your mouth to “M” you hum a bit and the vibration relaxes your lips, tongue, mouth and whole face.

4. Did I mention laughing? Sure, if you’ve never been in labor you might be thinking that I’m one of those folks that insists that labor doesn’t hurt (OK–I KNOW that some people have orgasmic births and some never feel pain, but that isn’t my personal experience and I don’t think you should count on it for your experience.) But, it is FUN! You are having a baby and not a train wreck after all. Let your support team plan to keep things light and smile at you often so you can remember to smile back.

5. Kissing? I’ve got to be honest with you here. Personally, I get super sensitive about my personal space while I’m in labor. The idea of someone blocking my precious airways with their mouth by kissing me and being all up in my face and my space was not attractive. Not in the least. But, you know, if you feel like kissing while you are in labor, it definitely wouldn’t hurt. And, well, it’s really your last chance to make-out and not have to worry about getting pregnant for a while……..so, might as well live it up!

To summarize, it’s important to keep your mouth open and relaxed so your perineum and cervix will relax and open to make way for baby. You can do this effectively by singing, laughing, kissing, fluttering your lips with “horse lips” and sounding deeply from the basin of your belly or chanting RAM or OM if you are open to these sounds.

Want to know how prenatal yoga can help you feel great during pregnancy and help you prepare for birth? CLICK HERE

Did you super love these fascinating labor tips and information on the anatomy of labor and birth? Well, join me for regular updates and be the first to see articles and find out about FREE pregnancy and postpartum events!

RESOURCES:

Ina May Gaskin
Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth.

Cervical and Vocal Fold Study

Beautiful Cervix Project

This post was written by Sharon Fennimore Rudyk, MA, E-RYT, DONA Trained Birth Doula and mamma to two lovely littles. I’m based in Pittsburgh, but due to the incredible power of the internet, I work with expectant moms and their partners all over the world to prepare for birth. You can call me for a free phone consultation (412) 855-5692 OR send an e-mail: sharon@yogamatrika.com. I’d be so honored to be a part of your pregnancy and birth! https://www.yogamatrika.com

Day 2, Week One: Home Practice

April 16, 2012

Posted by Sharon

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I was surprised, but I really loved the opening sequence of one-minute downward dog poses followed by one minute standing forward bend poses. This opening sequence was both grounding and inspiring.

Otherwise, I’ve got three words about today’s practice: Too Much Triangle. And, really, I’m a big fan of triangle pose. It is both challenging and comforting. But, I just stopped doing the prescribed number of triangle poses in this practice because they didn’t feel right to me. I also added a child’s pose into the mix and closed my practice with a chanting session.

Perhaps, after years of having a regular home practice, it is just impossible to go back to following instructions when the instruction doesn’t make sense for how I feel? I know that, before I had a home practice I might not have even known how I felt and would probably have blindly followed the pictures and the practice as published.

Please feel free to join me in my 8-week program with Rodney Yee. You can share your own experience by leaving comments on this blog. It’s OK if you start on a different day or we get out of sync. This is going to be fun!

Posted by Sharon Fennimore Rudyk, the fearless leader of Team Matrika. Are you in Pittsburgh, PA? Join us for a great class at Yoga Matrika in Squirrel Hill.

Yoga & Pittsburgh Rain

September 30, 2009

Posted by Sharon

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I can’t help but notice that, when it rains, less people come to yoga classes. There’s something about the damp, grey and chilly weather that re-directs intentions and leads people to their home destination rather than to the studio or their mat. Rather than write this to make all of you who have been skipping your yoga classes in Pittsburgh for the past couple of rainy days feel guilty, I am writing this because it has inspired me to think about yoga practice as a way of grounding and coming home that provides the same comfort as skipping school and cuddling with your cat instead.

When we feel this need to “go home,” there are ways to shift our practice so that we create an embrace of asana and breath that warms the heart-mind and body. First, honor your mat. Make a ritual of your practice and have placing your mat on the earth as one of the elements of that ritual. Your mat becomes the sacred place where you can explore the embrace of spirit and mindfulness. When you take your seat and you want to set a cozy tone for your practice, make it a soft seat. You can do this by placing a cushion under your sitting bones and blankets under your ankles and knees. If you are in a cooler space, drape a shawl or light blanket over your shoulders.

Start your practice with a heart warming chant of the seed syllable “Hung.” First, watch your breath and then, as you deepen the breath, sing “Hung” using your diaphragm muscles and slowly allowing the vibration to ease tension in your heart. You can chant this syllable for as long as you like, just repeating it over and over again. Notice where you feel the sound vibrations and give yourself a few minutes after you are done to feel the differences in your body and the quality of your thoughts and breath.

Finally, give yourself permission to stretch and open to movement in your practice in a more organic way. Not sure where to start, get on your hands and knees and so a few cat/cow and see where the spirit moves you. Perhaps, you will want to move into some seated stretches or maybe a series of heart opening back bends? Maybe you will come into downward facing dog and move through a series of lunges and warrior poses. Maybe you will realise that what you really need is to take your legs up the wall and daydream! Whatever it is, keep the cozy intentions of your practice and make yourself feel at home.

Cheer up Pittsburgh!

Posted by Sharon Rudyk
Owner and Director of Yoga Matrika
https://www.yogamatrika.com/

Krishna Das in the BURGH!

April 9, 2009

Posted by Sharon

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I just wanted to send a shout out to HarmoniZing Pittsburgh for organizing a performance of devotional chanting by Krishna Das here in Pittsburgh. You can purchase a ticket online for the April 27, 7:00pm performance in Oakland by going to http://www.krishnadas.com or in person at Journeys of Life in Shadyside.

Please consider going to see Krishna Das live—-it’s just FABULOUS!