Anne
"I attended a prenatal yoga workshop with Shelley around 20 weeks into my pregnancy. I immediately connected with the practice, and with the
energy Shelley put into it, so I decided to join her class. I could tell it would be helpful, but also that I was going to enjoy it.
At that time, I already knew I wanted to try a natural birth. I read books, talked to other mothers about their childbirth experiences, turned to a midwifery practice for prenatal care, and most importantly learnt to know and trust my body during my weekly yoga classes. Every Friday, I would look forward to the class coming the following morning. Each session was a delightful time to connect with my baby, listen to my inner feelings, and prepare my mind and body for labor, delivery and ultimately motherhood. Shelley conveys a wonderfully positive energy that made me feel more serene and confident as the months passed. Regular practice helped me remain strong and tuned into my body throughout pregnancy.
I went into labor earlier than we expected, a few hours after attending one of those Saturday morning classes. Breathing, vocalizing, the practice of different positions, and relaxation techniques I had learnt all proved essential tools to face a long labor and ultimately deliver my baby in the natural, unmedicated way I had hoped for. My husband played a crucial role as he was my "doula", and he also greatly benefited from Shelley's couples classes.
I remember a few hours after our baby girl was born, looking at her and thinking that for a warrior, I felt exhausted, but yes, childbirth was certainly empowering. Thank you Shelley from all three of us for helping us make our birth experience beautiful!"
Lena & Bruce
"Dear Shelley,
Lena and I would like to thank you for the incredible experience we had during your couples prenatal yoga classes.
As many husbands could be, I was somewhat skeptical about making an eight week commitment, let alone, not knowing how I might feel Sunday morning, or heaven forbid, the possibility of missing a Charger's football game! But commit we did. We had made a much bigger commitment in wanting to give birth and the couples prenatal yoga enhanced it in immeasurable ways.
Your lesson plan was thoroughly and spiritually laid out. The meditations and yoga postures (no matter how inflexible I was) were beautifully connected and energizing. You gently, yet naturally, included our baby in uterus, Sienna, into the routines and we felt that she was so much a part of our experience.
We loved your artwork and how you inspired our own. While one might think that this was entirely "serious work", your playfulness and humor (and putting up with my silly humor) kept us connected and invigorated. We came away from each session filled with a heartfelt awe that is difficult to describe. We were literally transforming and couldn't wait for next week's class.
However, we had no idea how much more this would mean to us and carry us throughout our ultimate birthing experience. During labor and birth and continuing thereafter, we felt an "out of body" experience that was so spiritually connected with the work you did with us. We are eternally grateful and thankful for your wonderful gift to us.
Namaste,
Lena & Bruce
PS. Sienna thanks you, too!"
Karin
"I started practicing yoga about one year before I got pregnant. I loved it. So when I got pregnant it was natural for me to attend prenatal yoga classes. I went to a different studio and thought that the class was ok. Then I moved to Poway and discovered Shelley's class. At first I thought that her style was a bit 'out there' for me, as I had not committed to having a natural birth. But the more I progressed in my pregnancy, I realized that I wanted to attempt an unmedicated birth, and Shelley's approach resonated well with me. Shelley is warm, nurturing, and is a great support of all that is woman. She has wonderful energy. Her classes left me feeling relaxed, but empowered and confident. I used many of her breathing techniques, visualizations, and labor positions during my 48 hr labor. In the end I was successful in having my unmedicated birth. Shelley's prenatal yoga class definitely contributed to my success. Shelley is awesome."
Melanie
"About half way through my pregnancy, I started having bad sciatica and a friend recommended I try yoga. Having taken yoga before, I knew the stretching would help relieve some of the pain, but I never expected that it would completely change my views about childbirth. Shelley took us through a series of meditations, affirmations and breathing techniques during each class and the more I practiced yoga, the more I realized I wanted to try and have a natural birth. With the visualizations and vocalizations we practiced in class, and the help of an awesome doula, I was able to give birth to a very healthy baby boy without medication."
Nita
"I started Shelley's yoga class at the end of my first trimester and I continued my yoga practice with her until the night I went into labor. The yoga asanas we practiced helped to keep my body strong during pregnancy and provided me with the stamina I needed for labor. Most of all, Shelley's teachings, artwork, visualizations, and vocal toning techniques were all essential tools that helped me during labor, particularly during the last few hours. All of these teachings put together allowed me to ultimately have the natural, drug free childbirth experience I had hoped for. Shelley's couples classes were also a valuable learning experience for my husband as they prepared him for his role in our son's birth.
Yoga with Shelley not only gave me the strength to pursue and achieve a beautiful birth experience, it made my journey into motherhood all the more beautiful. Thank you Shelley for helping me find the birth warrior within myself!"