Friday, June 17, 2011
Dr. Christine Anderson, Los Angeles based Pediatric Chiropractor, is a big believer in Pre-Natal Yoga, in fact she teaches yoga to pregnant women near her Hollywood office and she produced a 90-minute instruction DVD that has garnered terrific reviews. Available through Amazon.com,
Dr. Christine Anderson's Dynamic Pre-Natal Yoga DVD gives pregnant women a guide for performing the exercises in the comfort in their own living room.
Benefits from doing Yoga during pregnancy multiple, as it is explained in an article that was previously published in an issues of Whole Life Times, a monthly magazine distributed in Los Angeles that is dedicated to all sorts of natural living issues. Written by Lisa Maria, a free-lance journalist who is also a yoga teacher, it is entitled Power Through Your Pregnancy: Women hoping for a smooth birth find that yoga delivers.
Here is the complete text of that article which features Dr. Christine Anderson:
When Becky Sorenson found out she was pregnant with twins, she was thrilled until she went into pre-term labor and had to be on bed rest for getting her through that tough time. Yoga gave me the tools to focus my attention, turn to my breathing and find some peace. Yoga is rapidly becoming the leading exercise of choice for pregnant women because of its many positive effects and low risk of injury. Research indicates that yoga increases strength, flexibility and balance. Yoga may reduce stress, lower blood pressure, relieve mild forms of depression, improve sleep and increase energy levels.
In addition, certain yogic breathing techniques can be effective in increasing oxygen flow to the baby. Yoga is found to be helpful during labor to reduce tension, relax the hips and pelvis and instill calm and confidence, making delivery easier for the mom-to-be. Dr. Christine Anderson, producer of Dr. Christine Anderson's Dynamic Prenatal Yoga DVD, is an LA chiropractor and yoga teacher.
Affectionately known as Dr. Chris, she specializes in pregnancy and pediatrics. "Yoga during pregnancy can help women keep their weight gain down to a minimum, give them an improved attitude, help with shorter, easier labors and decrease medical intervention—like Cesareans and forceps—which also means less likelihood of fetal distress and a faster recovery after birth. Yoga gives you the benefit of less pain during pregnancy, such as backaches and other discomforts, so it keeps you healthier and happier." She laughs, "Also, women who do yoga tend to give birth on or before their due dates!"
An ancient system of self-realization, yoga has a powerful effect on physical health and wellbeing. The physical postures (asana), breathing exercises (pranayama), meditation practices (dhyana) and chanting (mantra) can be of immense benefit to the student, especially if there's a little one growing inside of her. Becky's prenatal yoga practice included all of these tools. "I felt more aware of the physical changes…I felt more connected emotionally…I felt more connected to life than ever.
And spiritually, I felt a greater sense of peace and well-being.
A major benefit of prenatal yoga is learning how to breathe for pregnancy and labor. Dr. Chris explains, "With yogic breathing during pregnancy, you're getting more oxygen and so is your baby, which is crucial to development. Breathing shallowly through your mouth in a hyperventilation-type of breath sends alarm signals throughout the body. During labor, that deep, nasal breathing—pranayama through the nose—is going to send calming signals to the body.
New information suggests that the main reason women fail to progress in labor is because of obsessive, chaotic thinking known as "monkey mind." Laboring women get so distracted by their thoughts that the ability to focus on the project at hand—giving birth—is drastically diminished. Dr. Chris emphasizes, "You've got to get out of your head to let the labor process unfold. Prenatal yoga helps you do that because you're using the tools that you've been working on in class, which is why labor times are generally decreased in women who do yoga.
It's important to find a yoga class designed for expectant mothers, as some yoga postures may be difficult or dangerous to do during pregnancy. Experts recommend getting consent from your doctor or midwife before starting yoga, then locating a prenatal class with an instructor specifically trained to teach pregnant women. "Start slowly and listen to your body. It's the perfect time to get in tune with your body, with yourself and with your baby," says Dr. Chris. It's a great initial step to becoming a parent."
Ready to change your body back after delivery? Becky was emotionally and physically weakened by long-term bed rest, a Cesarean section and weight gain. "My yoga practice gave me the fitness, stamina and fortitude I needed to hang in there and later to get back into physical shape. "Dr. Chris agrees, "Because you are going to be more physically fit, you're going to bounce back a lot easier. Just do it!"
About Dr. Christine Anderson:
Christine Anderson, a Doctor of Chiropractic, has been practicing in Hollywood since graduating Summa Cum Laude from Cleveland Chiropractic College (CCC-LA)in Los Angeles in 1989. As an intern, Dr. Anderson was on the faculty at CCC-LA and also assisted the head of the radiology department in the clinic. Dr. Anderson completed a 3 year post graduate program which gives her diplomate status and Board Certification in Chiropractic Pediatrics and Pregnancy (DICCP).
She received her Diploma in Homeopathy (DiHom) from the British Institute of Homeopathy in 1996 and completed Craniosacral Therapy I and II training from Upledger Institute in 2002. Dr. Anderson has lectured and presented papers at the yearly ICA Council on Pediatrics Conferences and at the 2002 Rome Symposium. Dr. Anderson has contributed articles on various health issues for local newspapers and magazines, as well as chiropractic publications.
She was consulted for the book, I Got Pregnant, You Can,Too, by Katie Boland. She developed the pre/post natal exercise program at the Hollywood YMCA, continues to teach classes there, and has produced the 90 minute DVD Dr. Christine Anderson`s Dynamic Prenatal Yoga. She also does community outreach, talking to parents and kids about health issues. "Dr. Chris" is also very involved in bringing up her children Toxil, Anzac, and Seven along with her husband, Tony.
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