Massage Bliss Day for Mamas and Mamas-to-Be

all massages are 30min for $40 (half of the fee goes to the fund, From One Sister to Another)

10am-12:45pm: Massage with Kristin Richards, RMT

10:00-10:30am…available

10:45-11:15am…available

11:3012:00pm… NOT available

12:15-12:45pm… NOT available

1:00-4:00pm:      Massage with Aimee Sturly, Perinatal Bodyworker

1:00-1:30pm… available

1:45-2:15pm… NOT available

2:30-3:00pm… NOT available

3:15-3:45pm… NOT available

To request a massage appointment, please send an email to: elle.spiegelman@gmail.com

Film Screening

4:00-5:00pm: Free Film Screening: Mother Touch – please register via facebook

Massage Classes

5:15-6:00pm: Couples/Birth Partners Massage for Labour class with Kashka Zerafa. Please contact kashka@pomegranate-midwives.com to register.

6:30-7:30pm: Parent and Child Massage with Kashka Zerafa. Please email kashka@pomegranate-midwives.com to register.

Massage Class Fees: By Donations (recommended $10-$15). Proceeds go to From One Sister to Another Massage Fund: http://www.pomegranate-midwives.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/S2S-Rack-copy.jpg

Kashka Zerafa, RMT

Kashka Zerafa is currently the registered massage therapist at Pomegranate and initiator of the From One Sister to Another fund which is built into the massage fee scale. She is looking forward to celebrating mothers as well as having the opportunity to meet the community she is now servicing by sharing the value of massage within the family.

This Mother’s Day, Kashka will be honoring the feminine principle of interconnected giving that touches us all, by teaching massage and offering the nourishment of relaxation massage. Guided breath work and active neuro-muscular relaxation can be tailored to ones individual body in a soothing Swedish flow. This approach provides an opportunity for the body and mind to be led towards a supple softness and self-nourishing calm.

Kristin Richards, RMT

After three years of experience at Pomegranate Midwives as the resident RMT, Kristin Richards is returning from her maternity leave with a huge appreciation for women during the childbearing years. Currently Kristin is massaging part time at Broadway Wellness in Vancouver and is honoured to be a part of the Pomegranate community for this Massage Bliss Day for Mamas and Mamas-to-Be!

With this being her second Mother’s day as a mother herself, she will be sharing calm and nurturing touch for mamas and mamas to be with an intention of relaxation in mind. Kristin will be promoting relaxation with Swedish massage, specific work to a problem area, Craniosacral Therapy, diaphragmatic breathing and sharing individualized self care for each guest for this Massage Bliss Day for Mamas and Mamas-to-Be. www.facebook.com/kristinrmt

Aimee Sturly, Perinatal Bodyworker

I’ve loved giving massage since I was a small kid, and I vividly recall the day that I found out that if I wanted, I could make it my living; I felt like someone had told me that I could have a job that paid me to go to the playground every day!

Fourteen years later, I had this experience for a second time while listening to a friend tell the story of the birth of her child. I felt like I had a tuning fork in my belly and her words vibrated in my frequency; I knew from head-to-toe that this is what I wanted to do in the world.

These elements have come together in my work with childbearing families. I consider myself very fortunate to have such stimulating, challenging and delightful work and I am very much looking forward to meeting the mamas who will come to enjoy some self-care at Pomegranate’s Mothers Day Weekend.

Saturday Yoga with Lynette, Sage Yoga

• 2:00-3:00pm: Pregnancy and Birth Preparation Yoga Class. Come and join us to stretch, strengthen and breathe in a community of amazing women. Takes place at Green Room Yoga
• please register by email: info@sageyoga.ca

Sunday May 13^th Green Room Yoga & Birth Continuum

• 1:00-1:30pm: Free Talk - Inside the Newborn Brain with Bonnie. Psst, hey mom!! Can you hear me? What’s going on inside that newborn brain anyway? Come join us as we learn how to create an optimal environment for your baby’s brain development.

• 1:45-2:45pm: Prenatal Ball Rolling with Alix: release your hips, low back and legs, and learn a few easy “at home techniques” to take care of yourself.    Fee: $10

• 2:45-3:45: New Moms class with Alix: reconnection to pelvic floor and some restorative yoga, enjoy some time away from your baby and nurture yourself while learning a few simple exercises to stabilize your pelvic floor and abdominal region.  Fee: $10

• 4-4:30: Free Talk on the Biology of Sleep with Bonnie. Is your baby sleeping through the night? Come and learn about the biology of newborn sleep, and what you can do to help baby sleep.

Please contact alix@greenroomyoga.ca or 604 318 4066 to register.

Alix Rodrigues has been teaching yoga since 2000, and has studied many styles of Yoga with world class and very inspiring teachers. Eventually she came into her own style, by getting on the mat and beginning a quiet and thorough exploration of both her physical and mental state.
She has a passion for anatomy and the form and function of the body, and it is deeply reflected in her teaching. Her focus is to educate her students, empowering them to stand with awareness and move with integrity, not just physically but mentally as well. She also believes that a good laugh and a great sense of humor while doing yoga are crucial to the practice. You can expect laughter, insight, flow and stillness all within your yoga class with her.
Alix is currently enrolled in a three year training with her longtime teacher Gioia Irwin, studying Vijnana Yoga. It is adding new focus and awareness to her own practice, which then feeds in to her teaching.

Bonnie Davis is a craniosacral therapist, birth and postpartum doula, and perinatal educator. Her focus and passion is supporting families to create a strong attachment bond in the primal period. www.birthcontinuum.com

Lynette Stockner founded Sage Yoga in 2005 and has been teaching prenatal yoga for six years. In her Pregnancy and Birth Preparation classes, she works with each woman’s changing needs throughout the progression of her pregnancy. In class she encourages women to listen to their body’s wisdom, to connect to their growing baby and to the community created in class. Yoga offers wonderful insight for birth preparation!

Baaad Anna’s Yarn Store

• Mothers Day Knit-In: Sunday 1 – 4pm

All mamas are welcome to come knit/crochet/felt/spin with us, and enjoy some tea and 20% off all yarn!

Baaad Anna’s provides affordable, diverse, and eco-friendly yarn, knitting supplies and classes. We strive to create a community space for diverse crafters, parents, artists and non-conformist knitters in the East Van Neighbourhood. Not your Mama’s yarn store! www.baaadannas.com

Magpie’s Nest Art Therapy

all workshops are at Pomegranate Community Midwives

• On the Day You Were Born… Sunday, May 13th Time TBA

Sunday, May 13, 9 am – 10 am      Cost: Participants may offer payment in our Karma Jar

A mother and tot art workshop on the theme of “On the Day You Were Born…”, using Debra Frasier’s much loved book as inspiration. We will remember each “birthday” with cut paper and collage creations. Welcoming children ages 18 months to 5 years.

Please Register at magpiesnest.art@gmail.com, Drop-ins are also welcome!

• I Became a Mother: Sunday, May 13th Time TBA

Sunday, May 13, 10:30 am to Noon      Cost: Participants may offer payment in our Karma Jar

An art workshop for mothers reflecting on the day they became a mother. The day each mother was “born” will be remembered through art-making and written word.

Please Register at magpiesnest.art@gmail.com, Drop-ins are also welcome!

Sarah and Jessi met while studying art therapy. They quickly realized that they shared a common interest in early intervention and working to help support healthy families. After graduation, they were inspired to work within their community (and chosen home) of Vancouver and build on the programs that they have admired. Magpie’s Nest is the product of a strong friendship, mutual respect and a passion to share the power of the arts and creative spirit with others.

http://magpiesnest.ca/

Terrific Transfer with Jill Pilon

Sunday, 3-5pm at Pomegranate Community Midwives Fee: $15

Let this sweet little class get your creative juices flowin!

I will be dishin’ out my secrets on my  technique I use to create quality image transfers. So start collecting those images you’ve always wanted to do something with!

SUPPLY LIST

10×10 cradled panel(wood) or canvas

3 tubes of your favorite colors plus titanium white and mars black (acrylic paint)

Acrylic fluid medium KROMA brand (located in the net loft on grainville island)

1″ paint brush and a couple extra Yogurt containers for water

Old rag

High contrast black/white photocopies copied from a photocopy machine

***** A great website for collecting images is *The Graphics Fairy LLC*

www.jillpilon.com

to register: info@jillpilon.com

All Weekend

Little Earth

Every purchase made over Mother’s Day Weekend will be automatically entered to win a Mother’s Day Gift Basket (value $100).

http://www.littleearthvancouver.com/

Families everywhere are looking for a local store that can provide unique, high quality and environmentally-friendly children’s clothing and toys at reasonable prices. Look no further!
If you’re expecting, our maternity section is sure to have something you’ll need. We also carry a selection of new organic clothes, cloth diapers, baby carriers and a variety of wooden toys. We try to support local designers and most of our lines are Vancouver and Canadian made.

Ongoing

Mama Goddess

From May 1- May 10, use the code “pomegranate” at check-out to save a further 25% on the Calming Mama Gift Set

http://www.mamagoddess.ca/products/calming-mama-gift-set

Relax and take a moment for YOU. The Calming Mama Gift Set reminds you to make time for yourself throughout the day – whether it’s 5 seconds, 5 minutes, or half an hour. You deserve it!

We are starting a Directory of Blogging Mothers! Get connected with other bloggers… and reach more readers.

www.legoodmama.com

http://bonappetitbrandon.blogspot.com/

http://brilliantchaos.wordpress.com/

http://delightfilledart.wordpress.com/

http://hippiehousewife.blogspot.com/

http://bluebirdmama.com/

http://coastalwaves.blogspot.com/

www.lunarale.com

www.jillpilon.com

www.sfufamily.blogspot.com

Stitchrabbit.typepad.com

http://tinystepsbigjourney.wordpress.com/

www.takeyourbabytowork.blogspot.com

http://prenatalcoach.com/

saadiaorganics.blogspot.com

nurturethefuture.wordpress.com

chasingdomesticbliss.blogspot.com

seeannerun.blogspot.com

cesareanparents.blogspot.com

http://mightylittleacorns.blogspot.com/

www.woodsidekitchen.blogspot.com

http://iaindavid.ca/

http://thefigpatch.wordpress.com/

http://thebabyandtheartist.wordpress.com/

http://rosieposiebaby.wordpress.com/

To add your blog to our directory, send an email to: lehe@pomegranate-midwives.com.

Check out this article on blogging New Mothers:

http://nyti.ms/wcFDej

Jan 13 Class 2, Relationships

Jan 20 Class 3, Play

Jan 27 Class 4,     Relationships II: Following Your Bliss & The Transition to Parenthood

Feb 3 Class 5, Sleep

Feb 10 Class 6, Self Care

Feb 17 Class 7, Pumping

Feb 24 Class 8, Communicating with your baby & Baby Sign

Mar 2 Class 9, Crying

Mar 9 Class 10, Postpartum

Mar 16 Class 11, Diapers and E/C

Mar 23 Class 12, Home Safety & Infant First Aid

Mar 30 Class 13, Health and Fitness

Apr 6:  GOOD FRIDAY

Apr 13 Class 14, Community Resources

Apr 20 Class 15, Guest Speaker TBA

Apr 27 Class 16, Massage: self & baby

May 4  Class 1, Baby Wearing

May 11 Class 2, Relationships

May 18 Class 3,  Play

May 25 Class 4, Relationships II: Following Your Bliss & The Transition to Parenthood

Jun 1  Class 5, Sleep

Jun 8  Class 6, Self Care

Jun 15 Class 7, Pumping

Jun 22 Class 8, Communicating with your baby & Baby Sign

Jun 29 Class 9, Crying

July 6  Class 10, Postpartum

July 13 Class 11, Diapers and E/C

July 20 Class 12, Home Safety & Infant First Aid

July 27 Class 13, Health and Fitness

Aug 3  Class 14, Community Resources

Aug 10  Class 15, Guest Speaker TBA

Aug 17 Class 16, Massage: self & baby

Aug 24 Class 1, Baby Wearing

Aug 31 Class 2, Relationships

Sept 7  Class 3, Play

Sept 14 Class 4, Relationships II: Following Your Bliss & The Transition to Parenthood

Sept 21  Class 5, Sleep

Sept 28 Class 6, Self Care

Oct 5  Class 7, Pumping

Oct 12 Class 8, Communicating with your baby & Baby Sign

Oct 19  Class 9, Crying

Oct 26 Class 10, Postpartum

Nov 2  Class 11, Diapers and E/C

Nov 9  Class 12, Home Safety & Infant First Aid

Nov 16 Class 13, Health and Fitness

Nov 23 Class 14, Community Resources

Nov 30 Class 15, Guest Speaker TBA

Dec 7 Class 16, Massage: self & baby

This is unique opportunity to participate in both a fundraiser for

This 100% by donation prenatal class is an extraordinary opportunity to prepare for the birth of your child while also supporting the important maternal-child health work of Shanti Uganda. The regular cost for a prenatal class with Dancing Star Birth is $260. We welcome donations of any amount for your participation in this class – suggested range $100 – $500. Whatever amount you are able to donate, we recognize that each of you is making a real and important contribution to global maternal-child health. All contributions of $280 or more will receive a tax receipt from Shanti Uganda for the amount beyond the regular class cost of $260. All course costs (instructor, supplies, food & location) have been donated by Dancing Star Birth and Pomegranate Community Midwives. 100% of your donation will go to support the work of Shanti Uganda.

To register for this unique experience, please click here.

Cost: 100% by Donation – all proceeds go to Shanti Uganda.  *All participants will receive a free postpartum booklet from Pomegranate Community Midwives.

Are you a Registered Massage Therapist with an interest in mother-baby wellness? Are you looking for a thriving community of families to be a part of? Do you want to work in a positive and beautiful working environment?

Pomegranate Community Midwives has had a long history of partnering with massage as a meaningful service for pregnant and postpartum women to provide at our clinic. Please send your letter of interest and resume to:

office@pomegranate-midwives.com

We are looking for a Registered Massage Therapist with experience providing care to pregnant and postpartum women. The ideal candidate would also be enthusiastic about teaching infant massage and providing occasional in-services to families at the clinic, such as information nights. We have a dedicated room for massage that includes a portable table, laundry services and lighting/music. We provide referrals from our midwives. The room is available 5 days a week.

We would love to see you and your baby!

If you had your baby with us and you are less than 4 months postpartum, you and your baby are welcome to join us every Friday for a free drop-in from 1:15-2:45pm at the clinic.

Updated Schedule and Topics

September 30: Self Care

October 7: Pumping

October 14: Communicating with your baby & Baby Sign

October 21: Motherhood

October 28: Communication

November 4: Diapers

NOVEMBER 11: REMEMBERANCE DAY CLOSED

November 18: : Home Safety & Infant First Aid

November 25: Crying

December 2: Community Resources

December 9: Guest Speaker TBA

December 16: Massage: self & baby

Pomegranate Midwifery Care Evaluation

Kirsty Elliot was accidently born in England because she’s Scottish. Her mom was a midwife and her Dad was a chemical engineer. She lived in Carnoustie until she was three and then moved to the Bahamas until she was seven. Life was all glass bottom boats and swimming all day until her dad was recruited by a nuclear power plant in Ontario. She spent the rest of her childhood in Inverhuron and then she thinks she went to high school in Port Elgin but she’s kind of blocked it out.

She attended Trent University until a global cycling addiction prevented her from finishing her Native Studies degree. She spent a decade living in the Yukon and Northwest Territories before moving down south to caretake a dreamy, private island. She spent three years living all alone in a house that floated in the ocean and looked like a walnut that fell from outer space. It was here that the poems in this book began to make themselves known.

She now lives with her husband and their two children on Lasqueti Island where they cleared some land, dug some ponds, made a garden and built a cute little plastic shack. They just spent their fourth winter all together in the plastic fantastic. So please buy this book. Hell, buy two.

twitter.com/kirsanthemum