Dear Readers, we have a correction for the Forward to a Friend from last week’s issue, last week the winners received a 6-pack of Sprout Foods Organic Baby Food, from SproutBaby.com.
Thank you.

Happy Mother's Day!

Exercise is incredibly important during pregnancy. Exercise not only can help with the potential aches and pains during pregnancy but it also helps prepare our bodies for labor and birth. Exercise has been shown to help with circulation, digestion and constipation as well as strengthen the body. Last year at our inaugural event Dr. Alan Greene talked about how important getting exercise is for both mom and baby. Of course it is important to get the okay from your doctor before you embark on any exercise program. I suggest finding a program that is both nurturing and strengthening. I love doing prenatal yoga and walking during my pregnancies. But it is important you find what works for you and your baby. My pre and post natal yoga workout is designed especially for pregnant women. Whatever you do, please enjoy it and know you are giving yourself a gift by connecting to your body and to your baby through breath and movement. Welcome to Exercise week, week 2 of PAM.

Best,



Anna Getty
Founder, PAM

Finding Time for Fitness

Many moms can't find time for fitness. But it's moms who need the strength the most! As a mom, you are taking on the biggest physical challenge of your life. You are physically juggling kids, toys, strollers and more. Chances are, you are also sleep deprived and exhausted. I bet you would like the "strength for motherhood". You want to look good, feel good and have the energy to keep up with your children. It's time to make fitness a priority.

Make it non-negotiable. Commit to get fit at some point every day. It does not have to be a traditional "gym" workout. Try a stroller workout, a mommy and me class or just run around the playground with your kids. There are lot's of exercises you can do in the playroom besides your baby. The message is that it doesn't take much. It just takes consistency. Think about it. Exercise is one thing that we can guarantee you won't regret. So, in the words of Nike, just do it!

Lisa Druxman, Founder of Stroller Strides/Fit 4 Baby

Cat/Cow Pose

Such a funny name and the first time I did it, frankly I felt silly! In Kundalini Yoga, this is a safe way to stretch your spine and open your heart and throat chakras.

I was way past teacher's training, and had actually been teaching daily classes for a couple of years when I was pregnant and in a couple's pregnancy workshop with my mentor and teacher, Gurmukh, at Golden Bridge Yoga. She had us get into cat/cow pose and face each other as partners (spouse to spouse - lover to lover) and do the pose saying "meow" when we were in cat and "moo" when we were in cow. Boy did we ever laugh at that...the whole class. And she stopped us and said, "This is your 1st lesson as a parent, learn how to make simple things fun and that is how you will connect with your children." Talk about a different take on the "practice" of yoga.

So, this is a great pose to do when you are pregnant, it is a safe and effective way to stretch your spine and practice breathing with movement. Also, concentrate on your heart and throat chakras opening, and feel the love and communication flowing...and above all, laugh a little...lighten up!

Come on all 4's with your palms flat on the ground, pressing your full thumb into the floor. Feel centered and adjust yourself as needed. Take a big breath in and out. Then inhale as you slowly stretch your head and neck up toward the ceiling while simultaneously pressing thru your heart into your palms and allowing your tailbone to lift up toward the ceiling. On the exhale curve your spine into a full round, chin toward chest, pelvic tilted toward the head...just like a cat. Repeat, slowly working your way up to15x's. If you get dizzy or light headed, stop and breath deeply. Always check with your medical provider before beginning any exercise program.

Alisa Donner, MSW, LCSW, Yoga Teacher, Co-founder of PAM, and a mom

Who's Going to Win this Week???

Forward this newsletter to 5 or more friends, and enter to win:

- 1 FREE DVD: Anna Getty's Pre & Post Natal
Yoga Workout 1st 25 people only!

Babywearing While You Exercise

Babywearing is a fantastic time-tested parenting tool that allows parents vital opportunities to both model healthy choices and incorporate their babies into an active lifestyle.

Imagine practicing yoga while wearing your child in a baby carrier. Start with a basic stance such as Mountain Pose, where you stand straight, feet together, while inhaling arms out to the side and overhead. Then, exhaling arms down (repeat 3-5 times).

Walking or hiking with baby in a carrier are also great exercise options, regulating baby's temperature and heart rate with skin-to-skin contact and creating movement to soothe a fussy baby. Gentle exercise while babywearing demonstrates to your baby the importance of taking the time to breathe, focus and connect.

Gillian Beerman, M.A., President, MobyWrap, Inc

Lead-in

The Biggest Loser trainer and America's favorite motivator, Jillian Michaels gives her tips and tricks for thriving through your final trimester.

There's nothing quite like the magical, mystical weeks of the third trimester. Afraid, exhausted, excited, with your due date just around the corner, you're eager to hold that baby in your arms-and probably nervous about giving birth, being a good mom, and getting your figure back.

Let me start by saying this: I hear you. I validate you. Everything you are feeling is normal. No matter where your head goes during this time, give yourself permission to feel all your feelings-good, bad, or indifferent. Your emotions are your higher self trying to tell you something. Allow yourself to be who you are and where you are. To help you embrace the changes, I've put together some mental, nutritional, and physical pointers to get you feeling strong inside and out. Read more...

Jillian Michaels from The Biggest Loser
Article re-printed courtesy of Pregnancy Magazine

Every Body, Move Your Body

We chose exercise as an initiative for PAM because it is so very important for pregnant women to move. The more you move the easier it is to breathe and the better you feel. PAM supporter and Advisory Board Member, Lisa Druxman has decided to take her commitment to encouraging pregnant and parenting women to move to the next level. Besides founding Strollerstrides and the success of 200+ franchises nationwide...Lisa is offering free classes for women during PAM's Exercise week, yes this week ladies! So click here and learn more about how you can participate in your neighborhood!

Anna & Alisa

PAM Mom's Green Essentials Giveaway

Winning is as EASY as signing up! When you sign up for the PAM Newsletter you are automatically entered to win one of our weekly Giveaways as well as the incredible Grand Prize worth over $1500! Each week one person from our newsletter list will win a gift from one of our sponsors, simply by being signed up to receive our newsletter. This week someone will win a $100 coupon to A Pea in the Pod.

At the end of the month of May, we will draw one last name from our newsletter list, and that lucky person will win over $2500 in prizes:

and counting... Learn more

Exercise Week Sponsors