After you have recovered fully postpartum and feel ready to start moving again, postnatal yoga is a great way to re-connect to your body and rebuild strength in a safe way.

The babies love to be involved and this is a nice way to connect to your baby, and for the baby to connect with other babies. The baby will be included in many ways in the class dependent on the age of the baby. For the youngest ones laying on the mat and observing mummy move above and getting occasional kisses and massage/movement of legs and arms is enough, while the older ones can be included more actively in the asanas – and they usually find this is a lot of fun!

But the class is also about the mothers – we will be strengthening your muscles in the upper body and arms to help carry the weight of the breasts and the growing baby, correcting posture and release tension in neck and back, re-strengthening pelvic floor muscles etc. Maria is there to take the baby if needed so mummy can do some of the exercises on her own as well, while most exercises includes the baby.

Every class will be different when there are babies involved so flexibility is key here. We have a nursing corner with pillows, a place to change diapers and two bathrooms and shower, so you can do what you need when you need to. There will also be a playing mat for the slightly older babies if they get too distracted and need some change.

Feel free to contact Maria if you have any questions or to reserve a space at mariawaagyoga@gmail.com or via Whatsapp at +39 375 532 7823.

You are welcome to join us,

See you on the mat!

Prenatal yoga has numerous benefits. It can relieve many of the aches and issues that normally occur during this time, as well as providing greater ease in the delivery.

Emotions and stress influence the baby and the mother. Now is the time to slow down and tune inward to you and your growing baby. Your body will be going through a lot of changes, and we will prepare the body and mind for what is to come by for instance:

·        work on body awareness to protect the back as weight and hormones changes your body, your balance etc.

·        increasing strength in legs and upper body to carry the increasing weight to come

·        learn about and practice breathing in a way that will help you in the delivery process

·        learn about the pelvic floor, perennial muscles, and the deeper pelvic muscles – the importance of training these in order to be able to participate more consciously in the birthing process, and to recover faster after delivery. Some of the more specific benefits from this are: to avoid urinary incontinence for as long as possible, to avoid vaginal and uterine prolapse or perennial tear etc.

We will also have lot of time in nice relaxing postures that relieve tension, swellings etc. The way yoga combines breath, movement and awareness is ideal to prepare for the birthing process over time.

Independent on how far you have come in your pregnancy Maria will give you the adaptations you need, so all stages are welcome.

Feel free to contact Maria if you have any questions or to reserve a space at mariawaagyoga@gmail.com or via Whatsapp at +39 375 532 7823..

You are welcome to join us,

See you on the mat

Did you know that every week in Italy a child dies from choking on food or other objects? It seems absurd, no? Every parent or childcare worker should know the techniques to clear foreign objects from air passages.  This course takes only two hours, only two hours to save a life!

Hosted by one of our wonderful pediatricians, Elisa Antonielli.

If you would like to learn how to save a life book your place today as space is limited. The course will be an hour of theory followed by an hour of practical demonstrations and practice.

Child care givers welcome.

April 9th from 1030A-1230P, €20 per person, location Piazza Ottavilla.

RESERVATIONS REQUIRED please send an email to info@belliesabroad.com.

Join our lovely Elisa Antonielli, pediatrician and mother of four, in Villa Doria Pamphili for a morning of nursery rhymes and songs in English. In case of inclement weather the group will meet inside of  the children’s library at Villino Corsini. The group is open to everyone and their children, no matter what the level of English may be!

Prenatal yoga has numerous benefits. It can relieve many of the aches and issues that normally occur during this time, as well as providing greater ease in the delivery.

Emotions and stress influence the baby and the mother. Now is the time to slow down and tune inward to you and your growing baby. Your body will be going through a lot of changes, and we will prepare the body and mind for what is to come by for instance:

·        work on body awareness to protect the back as weight and hormones changes your body, your balance etc.

·        increasing strength in legs and upper body to carry the increasing weight to come

·        learn about and practice breathing in a way that will help you in the delivery process

·        learn about the pelvic floor, perennial muscles, and the deeper pelvic muscles – the importance of training these in order to be able to participate more consciously in the birthing process, and to recover faster after delivery. Some of the more specific benefits from this are: to avoid urinary incontinence for as long as possible, to avoid vaginal and uterine prolapse or perennial tear etc.

We will also have lot of time in nice relaxing postures that relieve tension, swellings etc. The way yoga combines breath, movement and awareness is ideal to prepare for the birthing process over time.

Independent on how far you have come in your pregnancy Maria will give you the adaptations you need, so all stages are welcome.

Feel free to contact Maria if you have any questions or to reserve a space at mariawaagyoga@gmail.com or via Whatsapp at +39 375 532 7823.

You are welcome to join us,

See you on the mat!

Giving Birth  – How and Where: A Guided Tour.

Presenting the Birth Course I wish I had had! Learn what happens during labour and delivery, what to know for successful breastfeeding and how to take care of your newborn. This series of six meetings will include information on how your body changes during pregnancy, prenatal testing, the hormonal and physical processes that occur during labour and delivery, pain management,  and what happens when you take your little one home. We discuss birth plans and, for those of you delivering in Rome, we cover information on Roman hospitals, clinics and home birth and the clarification of roles of the Italian medical professions. Our mission is to arm you with enough information so you can have a birth as close to the one you desire as possible. This course is run by Gabriella Pacini, midwife, lactation consultant (IBCLC) and counsellor and Kiersten Miller her sidekick.

Wednesday evenings from 7pm – 9pm starting  March 6th.

Maximum 6 couples. Pricing can be adjusted when needed, just contact us.

We have moved our La Leche League Meetings to Thursdays for 2019! Please join us for  support and friendships for pregnant women and nursing moms in English. La Leche League International strives to to help mothers worldwide to breastfeed through mother-to-mother support, encouragement, information, and education, and to promote a better understanding of breastfeeding as an important element in the healthy development of the baby and mother. It is also a lovely way to meet other English speaking moms and to share your adventures of pregnancy and motherhood in a strange land.

Come for the support and information, stay for the friendships!

Life Goals Spring Cleaning Workshop

• Is there something that you’ve been wanting to do for a while now but for some reason haven’t yet achieved?
• Are you thinking that you’re not living your life the way you want and need to make some changes?
• Would you benefit from being supported to do some deep reflection so that you can move forward?

 Get set for success! 

Benefit from an opportunity to reflect in a calm environment and get clearer on what might be holding you back from fulfilling your ambitions. Use new insights to determine a future course of action to achieve your goals!

Join our highly experienced trainer and coach Fiona for an exclusive opportunity for a small group to participate in a 3 hour journey of self-discovery. Through a series of questions Fiona will support you as you become more aware of the way you are currently living and directing your life so that you can get clearer on what’s important to you and take action to achieve it. During the time together you’ll have the chance to stand back, take stock, and set clear goals in an area of life that’s important for you.

Learn more about Fiona at www.fionatalbot.com

Originally from the UK, Fiona has lived in Rome since 2003. She provides training and coaching in areas such as people management, presentation skills and personal effectiveness to international corporate clients  and individuals from many different backgrounds. She loves supporting people to feel more confident in their abilities and help them recognise their potential so they feel more satisfied and fulfilled as they work towards their desired goals.

Cost includes workbook and light refreshments.

Please send emails to info@belliesabroad.com to reserve.

Fiona Talbot has been coaching since 2012.

When we are pregnant our bodies go through serious changes at such a rapid pace. Different bodies respond to the changes in different ways. Some women enjoy the changes, other have difficulties with issues such as Diastasis Recti where a gap is created between the abdominal muscles, or a weakened pelvic floor. Join Pilates instructor Teresa Fracasso for Pre and Post Natal Pilates. She will show you how to use your abs in a safe way during pregnancy and how to regain strength afterwards while respecting the changes in your body. To confirm your space please write to tere.fracasso@gmail.com.