*Marisha’s Story:* Pregnancy, childbirth and parenting in Covid times

In 2019, when Marisha got pregnant with her second child, she was committed to doing things differently this time.

She had learned a TON during and after her first pregnancy about what did and (mostly!) didn’t work for her body, so she went about setting up support systems for herself: childcare for her now almost-four-year-old, bodywork for herself, exercise that actually WORKED for her pregnant body (Pilates and biking).

Then Covid hit.

And ALL of those layers of support fell away.

No childcare. No bodywork. No access to Pilates equipment, no commuting by bicycle. Her pregnancy became more uncomfortable. Time to herself went down to zero. All her ideas about what she “should” be doing to take care of her body went out the window.

When plans A, B, and C for taking care of her body during pregnancy fell through, Marisha was forced to pivot.

So she leaned into much smaller practices: breathing practices. Slow, short movement sequences. Practicing, over and over again, deep self-compassion.

Marisha’s pandemic stress peaked when, a month before her due date, her entire family came down with Covid!

When her husband had to spend a night in the hospital, Marisha spent the night making phone call after phone call, trying to come up with a backup plan as to who could possibly take care of her Covid-positive toddler if she went into labor while her husband was hospitalized. She felt TRULY alone.

Fortunately, by the time their son was born a month later, the whole family was healthy and well.

Through all the stress and loneliness of giving birth and parenting during pandemic times, Marisha found a different sense of self-reliance and self-trust.

Marisha says, “I learned about a different kind of stamina. It’s not just about how long you can hold dolphin - it’s about trusting that you WILL make it through this chapter of your life, even when it’s really hard.”

She learned a different kind of “advanced practice.” An advanced practice that is not about fancy poses - it’s about SHOWING UP for yourself when life gets really, really hard.

Marisha says, “We stopped saying ‘it’s going to be ok’ and started saying ‘we’re going to get through this.’” And she did. By continuing to show up, one day at a time.

THAT is the kind of advanced practice Marisha is passionate about teaching her students. Which is exactly what she’s going to do in MOVEMENT MEDICINE: The 12-week chronic pain freedom lab.

Applications for MOVEMENT MEDICINE close Monday, October 3rd.

Got questions? Email us and ask. We’ll share the full details of the program and help you determine if it might be the right container for you.

If you’re ready to apply, click here.

We can’t wait to go deeper with you.