joymamma's year

Can you believe that 2014 is almost over? And what a year that has been for Joymamma! I was fortunate to start the year off on a family yoga and meditation retreat in Thailand which left me energised and excited to start teaching again. I was proud of my three young kids, sitting still to meditate early in the morning appreciating the silence and space, with no electronic gadgets for over 3 weeks. My eldest daughter who was 14 at the time enjoyed the alignment precision of the afternoon Ashtanga Vinyasa practice and went on to complete her Level 1 Yoga Teacher Training when she returned back to the coast. Upon my return, my weeks were filled with teaching pregnancy yoga classes at Yin Health, Being Yoga and the Sunshine Coast Midwifery Centre. 

I'm honoured to have helped nearly 130 women prepare for labour and birth, during the past 12 months.

I have completed my trainings as a birth doula, bengkung belly binding artist, Bliss Baby Yoga Postnatal yoga teacher, successfully turned a breech baby using hypnotherapy and enjoyed numerous 1st Birthday parties (and a 2nd) as Joymamma enters its third year. 

I’ve felt privileged to work alongside midwives at My Midwives and offer my support to Mums at Sunshine Coast Private Hospital Active Birth Classes. I attended a profoundly humbling day of raising awareness for women in Cambodia by Denise Love and Nai Hy, hosted by Mary Young of Know Your Midwife, also accompanied by Andrea Bicket Acupuncture, Vicki Chan Midwife, Kirsten Small OB, and Deyna and Ali from My Midwives.

As well as yoga, meditation and hypnobirthing, my small studio has been space to host a Sacred Sound Bath with the amazing Maetreyii from Ohmkara Music and an Australian Breastfeeding Association information workshop, accompanied by the Milk Meg.

What a year!

What I have enjoyed most is the people I meet on this rewarding journey of mine, from all walks of life, with different personalities, stories and backgrounds. These couples have travelled from all over the Sunshine Coast and as far away as Stradbroke Island, Hervey Bay and Rockhampton.

2015 holds more exciting busyness for me. I’m finally meeting Marie Mongan, creator of the HypnoBirthing programme in Sydney in March. I also intend to keep quenching my thirst for more yoga knowledge by completing Level 2 Teacher Training with Michael Daly and Vanessa Rudge from Being Yoga, two inspiring teachers who just keep on delivering the best classes and trainings. We are super lucky to have them here on the Coast.  The beauty of becoming a yoga instructor is the ability to keep on learning. It just never stops. This quest to absorb more from so many admirable teachers is what keeps me energised and feeds my soul. 

I have lots of new classes and courses starting in 2015 bringing many more newly pregnant Mums, Dads and their unborn souls into my cosy home studio. I'm looking forward to meeting you all and re-connecting with those of you who joined me this year. Happy New Year to you all!! Carrie xx