The Yoga, Bellies & Babies Podcast

When did we suddenly have to become perfect at everything? The perfect mother, partner, colleague, business owner? When did this happen, and how do we allow ourselves permission, to not be perfect and just be good enough. And, can we actually be ok with that? To answer all these questions is this week’s guest, Ali Pember. Ali is a Psychotherapist and Coach specialising in Perinatal Mental Health a...

Birth is powerful. A baby is born, and a woman is re-born. Ask a mother at any age the story of the birth of her children, and she’ll tell you all about it. It’s imprinted in our memory, in our bodies. The Birth Story, is even more powerful because it has a knock on effect on other women. It gives pregnant women faith and hope. Birth stories helped me through both pregnancies. I read Ina May Gaski...

Here's a question for you: What do the nuclear industry and pregnancy yoga have in common? It’s no secret that I’ve had a career in the nuclear waste industry for many years. I ran my yoga biz alongside my career and have found an uncanny similarity. So, what do you think it is? No, it’s not the glow! Here’s a clue. During my first job interview in the nuclear industry, I was questioned about the...

Big life changes are both exciting and challenging. For example, relocating to another country is a big deal. Having children is also a big deal. Doing them both, at the same time, can be daunting (putting it mildly!). As exciting as these big shifts are our in lives, they can also be scary! The one thing that can get us through it, is a solid support system. Whether that’s your family or your chi...

2022 has been an important year. There have been highs, like the end of our covid-era where people have been able to hug and reunite again, and lows like the terrible Russia-Ukraine, another recession, amongst other things I prefer to stay away from in this email. From a personal point of view, 2022 marked the end of my self-appointed maternity leave. I was ready to get back into the workplace. In...

Why do we say things like: At least the baby is healthy, it’s just a phase, it was meant to be, this too shall pass. It’s ok, it all worked out for the best? The way we communicate with each other is so important, especially when the other person is in a vulnerable position, as often happens during pregnancy, birth and post-partum. And why do these ready-made phrases, not only not help, but can ac...

Rest without sleep. Relieve stress and anxiety. Think and see clearly. Shift your limiting beliefs. These are just a few things that can be achieved with Yoga Nidra. Commonly known as Yogic Sleep, and sleep does tend to happen, especially when you’re a tired mum….Yoga Nidra is a very specific practice that focuses on your intention and purpose, and re-wires your brain along the way. This week, Cri...

Have you ever thought about self-esteem as a muscle? One that needs to be checked, looked after and trained regularly. Maybe you've also thought about how we can support our future generation build a healthy self-esteem, especially with the increasing social demands? This is a topic I dove deep into with Shobha Nihalani. Shobha Nihalani is a multi-genre author, ghost-writer, book coach and a life...

What do power, shame and control have to do with the menstrual cycle? Are we supposed to have period pain? How does one navigate themselves out of postnatal depression by rebalancing their hormones? This week’s episode is with Elisa Imperatori, a menstrual cycle and perimenopause educator and certified Iyengar yoga teacher. Elisa combines yoga, body literacy and the subtle energies of the menstrua...

Your life changes when you have children, but just how much? This week’s episode features Laura Milano, a half-spanish half-Italian mum of two, who went from a career in marketing to becoming a naturopathic coach. Laura tells us about how her life has changed since becoming a mother. Her career and purpose in life has shifted thanks to the struggles she faced dealing with her postpartum self after...

***Trigger Warning - this episode refers to sensitive content about miscarriage and child loss*** This weeks episode is a story. My own story about loss and recovery. It’s also a story about luck and lessons learnt along the way. I'm sharing it now, because since this happened, over 5 years ago, I haven’t really written it down, or shared my full experience. I feel it’s time to close a wound. I'm...

We often think that prenatal yoga, is only for when you're pregnant. Of course right? It's obvious, it's in the title. Yet, anyone is welcome to practice prenatal yoga and many who are not pregnant can benefit and enjoy it too! For example, my husband and his friend would join me during my first pregnancy. I've invited my mother and my sister-in-law to join classes with me, or follow the ones I te...

Jennison Grigsby , is a mum and a Yoga teacher. Originally from California, Jennison now lives in Valencia, Spain with her husband, son and dog. Upon meeting Jennison, whether it´s in person or online, you can immediately feel her joy and positivity. It´s clear how the work she does through yoga brings people together, creating deep meaningful connections and a sense of community. She’s friendly,...

I recorded this conversation with Helen Wright on the 10th of October, World Mental Health day, so mental and emotional health is exactly what we decided to talk about! Helen Wright is a mum of two; a teacher, emotional health and wellbeing coach, hypnotherapist, antenatal educator, placenta remedies specialist and family meet up host, currently based in London. She offers wrap-around-care to expe...

This week’s episode features Frances Robertson-Richie. Frances is a mum of three, a yoga teacher and hypnotherapist. Frances also had a career in the fashion industry in central London, working in a high-stress and high-pressure environment until she had a health scare which made her re-evaluate her life and take new measures, leading her to where she is today. Her vision now is very clear. She se...

I invite you to go back in time and meet my wonderful and grandma. A big part of motherhood is passing down the information to other members of the family, whether we want to use it or not is a different question! So many women’s stories go untold, their vast amount of invisible work is not seen. So this week, on the Yoga, Bellies & Babies Podcast, is my small effort to tell their stories and...

This week I speak to Tally Hershko, a mom of 3, mechanical engineer, pilates teacher and business owner. Tally is originally from Israel and is now based in Valencia, Spain, where she started her business Tally Pilates. She is passionate about movement and living a healthy lifestyle. She encourages people to move to feel stronger, healthier and happier. Tally's goal is to motivate women to stay ac...

In this episode I talk to Mariken Fliervoet , from Amsterdam, The Netherlands. She is a mother of 3, a yoga studio owner, runs her own acupuncturist practice and is passionate about energy work. Mariken is visiting Valencia in October to teach a workshop themed Natural Energetics Yoga Workshop In Valencia and so we use this opportunity to dive deep into what this terms really means and how she has...

Trigger warning -> this episode talks about miscarriages during the 1st trimester What to do during the 1st trimester can be very controversial. Different people will give you different advice. When it comes to yoga, it is generally recommended not to attend a general Yoga class or even a prenatal class during your first trimester. However, like most things in life, it's never as simple as yes...

This week I speak to Myrte van Lonkhuijsen, an expert lactation consultant, mother of three and grandmother. During her breastfeeding workshop in Amsterdam, which I attended during my first pregnancy, I was pleasantly surprised how the focus wasn’t about promoting breastfeeding, but about making an informed and intelligent decision for you, your baby, your family and your career. That’s why I’m th...

How does one transition from art and design, to teaching Ashtanga yoga in corporate London to becoming a pre and post natal Yoga teacher and teacher trainer? How did the prenatal and postnatal Yoga training give someone the tools to have a homebirth after 43 weeks, and navigate the challenges of postpartum? Listen to this week's conversation with Kirsteen Ruffell, my postnatal yoga teacher and one...

Do you feel overwhelmed lately? I have been feeling like that in the recent months. I also get that general feeling from people around me lately. I wanted to share this feeling, which I’m referring to as overwhelm in this episode. That feeling when you are not just busy, and overloaded, but that it’s somehow all happening at once. Lately for me, it’s been quite a regular phase that appears in my l...

During pregnancy the focus is on Mum and Baby. After Pregnancy it on Baby and Mum. The Partner, the carer, the support usually comes in third place. This makes complete sense, however their role and effort can often be overlooked. This is why I wanted to interview my partner, Burzin Rustumji, and ask him about his views and experiences during the pregnancies, births and baby journeys we’ve shared...

We all know communication is important, but just how important? Are we fully aware of the impact of our words, actions, emotions and feelings have on our children and unborn babies? What should you be looking out for in your child's communication and when is the right moment to seek help? What impact does it have when my child sees my in front of a screen all the time? If some of these questions h...

*** Trigger Warning - This episode contains some graphic information about the birthing process and talks about PTSD during the post-natal periods which may cause some discomfort to listeners. *** I admire women who are not afraid of embracing it all; the good, the bad and the ugly. Sally Parkes is one of those. Sally has a beautiful approach to Yoga and Life. She’s really smart, hardworking and h...