Easy pregnancy tips from Gaia Mum to Be

PREGNANCY!? EASY DOES IT!!!

As some of you probably noticed we are expecting a new Gaia baby very soon! So I am writing from the first hand experience - it is less then 3 weeks to go ONLY now til my first baby is born. Now in my last month I am still teaching yoga, massaging and very much enjoying my bicycle ride to work, which I thought would never be possible that late in the pregnancy.

So how is that possible? Here are few things that I have learnt from my own pregnancy and from experienced super mums like Trudi around me.

What to keep in mind when you are expecting:

To start with - the beginnings are always the hardest, you will never be so tired and dozed later on, so just hold out! Chocolate is a great help as always and plenty sleep does miracles. Take it easy, you have plenty time left till the baby´s here!Remember it only gets better with time.

 Keep active - once your body adjust to the pregnancy hormonal coctail. Get back into action, mornings might not be the best time anymore - I bid farewell to my favourite morning yoga practice right in the first month. But later in the day once the tummy settles is perfect time. Come and try our pregnancy yoga with added visualization on easy birth.


Enjoy your little secret - especially if the pregnancy comes as a surprise, take all the time to adjust before you start telling. A little secret is always nice to share with your beloved complice - the new daddy. New baby, new life is a gift from heaven so treat it that way. I waited almost five months and they have been great months to share my special gift just with my most important ones.
Also it is much better fun to tell people about that baby when you actually feel well enough to enjoy the news and celebrate with them.

 Never run on empty - smart mum always has something to nibble on in her hand bag. Avoid getting too hungry, that´s when sugar drops and you start feeling dizzy and irritable. It is a good habbit to get into when your baby grows a bit, he/she will want its share from your bag too!
And NO, you don´t need to eat for 2! It is all about same amounts, just more often.

Watch that skin care - comitted massaging after every shower is a must. The one and only prevention of stretch marks is to keep your skin elastic and subtle with the natural oils - don´t skip anywhere - belly, breast, hips and lower are crutial zones. If you are not sure what to use, come and talk to us in Gaia - I have just blended a beautiful pregnacy pick-up oil for lovely  Silvana from Esporles in her 7th month of pregnancy.
Be prepared that with every extra month the skin pulls more - when you feel your belly itchy and dry that´s when you know baby´s growing. In the last month of my pregnancy I am hooked on rose water and the GAIA baby range - who says that only babies need gentle natural cosmetics!
If you don´t have the energy to massage your belly and sore back yourself, bring us your man, we will teach him what to do in our private massage tuition.

Imperfection and less efficiency? Don´t worry about getting less done. People will never again in your life be so forgiving and understanding as when you are pregnant.

Pamper yourself!
During my own pregnancy I have learnt that as my body changes, my needs are different everyday
and I have reflected that in the pregnancy care we offer in GAIA.
If you would like us to assist with your pregnacy and new motherhood, come and talk to us.
Both for expecting women and new mothers we take pride in offering personalized and holistic care made-to-measure just for you and your body - whether it is a private yoga class to prepare you for easy birth, calming and reassuring aromatherapy or relaxing foot massage. Also rememer that we have wonderful GAIA baby range that is super gentle.
Online info: http://www.gaia-natural-mallorca.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=baby+&x=30&y=9

Attention:
You can receive massage and practice yoga safely from 3rd month on. However your personalized pregnancy care plan will cover your whole pregnancy. Private yoga session are available from 25€ ph as well as back rescue 30min massages and foot massage.
Come and visit us in GAIA bathtime, C Corderia 28, Palma or book on 671 373 975.

Namaste - 
I am greeting the divine that you carry inside!




Credits for all the photos to 
Albert Mingo Puig albert_ming@hotmail.com

Gaia History

Gaia Soaps

Gaia Natural Products, Gaia Bathtime, Gaia Therapies & Corporate Massage, Gaia Spa,  

A Success Story

Gaia Natural Products first made its appearance in Mallorca after founder Trudi Murray replicated the old fashioned way to produce soap from local island oils. The inspiration came after reading about the soap manufactory and trade of a soap factory in the port of Andraitx in the 1930. Soap was produced here from locally grown olives and exported by boat to Cuba from where it would return laden with sponges. The factory later grew to open another branch in Bunyola were it remained until the 1980. In fact it was the last remaining member of the saop making dynasty that first sampled Trudi’s soap and deemed it ‘excellente’ and signed an aval for her to become an Artesan soap maker. Passing the examination set by the board of Artesania she has been a Master Artesan since 2005 and can proudly display the award for Artesania in the Baleares.

Gaia Bathtime, c/Corderia 28 Palma de Mallorca

In 2008 the first Gaia shop proudly opened its doors in the Calle Corderia which is in the historical artisanal quarter of Palma, where to this day you find basket makers, candle makers and now again soap makers. The shop sells a wide range of soaps but also a large assortment of handmade cosmetics for women, men and children. The interior is an eclectic mix of vintage furniture and intriguing antique collections, from old perfume bottles to old cameras.

In 2009 Blanca Ticha joined Gaia Bathtime as the resident therapist and yoga teacher. Blanca has made her way to Palma de Mallorca across half the world via Japan, Thailand, India and New Zealand. Living and practicing bodywork in each of these countries has been a life-transforming experience to her both on a personal and professional level. By bringing together the very best of the East and West in Gaia Therapies, Blanca offers a signature style incorporating the profundity of deep tissue and restorative effect of relaxation massage.

The therapy space is an urban sanctuary, cool and quiet and the epitome of relaxation. It offers massage of all kinds, facials and couple massage. ‘All the therapies use the very natural Gaia products. The facial, called a Goddess Facial, is a ritual of exfoliation with oats and rose petal powder, deep hydration with cacao butter, finishing with Goddess oils chosen for the therapeutic effects not only on the skin but to an all woman wellness’, says Blanca Ticha. Three times a week insiders meet here for a very special kind of yoga. Warrior yoga, pioneered by Blanca which in her words:’ prepares and helps you to cope in the modern urban jungle’.

Personalized Spa Treatment at
Hotel ALbatros Illetas

Through the therapy work done to excellence at Gaia Bathtime it was a natural next step for the dynamic duo to start developing Spa treatments for Hotels in Mallorca .They offer tailor made Spa menus prepared in harmony with the Spa space and location of the Hotel. Trudi and Blanca are justifiably proud to have in their port folio of success urban spaces as well as country and seaside hotel spas, each with its unique collection of treatments and tailor made products and Gaia trained staff.

A selection of hand made Gaia Spa
Products at the Hotel Albatros Illetas
Palma de Mallorca

Last but not least the latest branch on the Gaia tree is Corporate Gaia which offers a mobile team, headed and trained by Blanca to visit large offices in Mallorca. ‘Through our work at Gaia Bathtime we had become increasingly aware of neck and shoulder pains as a result of repetitive desk jobs and stress at work, ‘recalls Blanca.’ The obvious step was to work in conjunction with employers to reduce this strain on staff by offering 15 minutes chair massage a week to reduce these incidents.’ The idea has proved a success as many employers find it a useful total quality management tool and absence at work as a result of RSI could be significantly reduced.

Corporate Gaia 

Blanca Ticha & Trudi Murray

In just six year Gaia Natural Products has come from making soaps in a manner reminiscent of the last century to being a big influence in how this island presents what is good and natural and wholesome. ‘We recognise the trend is towards natural, locally grown ingredients and nostalgia for simplicity and this is reflected in everything we do at Gaia.’

Trudis' Travels

French soap molds,cutting & stamping tools

Eric & Remy, a Loire sun set

Leaving the island at the end of the summer to recover from sheer mountains of work that we were lucky to have at Gaia, my husband Eric, our dog Remy and I headed for cooler lands. France is always one of our favorite haunts and we return over and over and always delighted.
  We started our trip with delivering to our new client with a beautiful shop 'Parsimonia'  in Barcelona and ended the trip with a visit to admire their mounted display.

While in France I couldn t resist visiting a local soap factory/ museum/ shop.... and yes I did buy some soap! The soap here is made in a different way then the Gaia soap. The fats are heated to very high temperatures, the lye is also added at high temperatures and the soap mass is thick, hot and volatile, essential oils are added at this point and after stirring and watching they do a lick test; with their tongue to see if the chemical reaction is finished. If it does not sting your tongues the soap is poured into giant molds, cut still hot after 24 hours then pressed and kept for a very long time before wrapping and selling. An unchanged process after 300 years. http://www.martin-de-candre.com/savonnerie-artisanale.htmlThe setting was idyllic and even hosted a wonderful Bed and Breakfast! So if you are passing through France....

 The Martin de Candre Soap Shop

Our soaps if you are wondering are made at 30 degrees C and no we don' t lick them to see if they are ready to pour!We pour into individual molds while it has the consistency of custard, store and dry for three weeks before wrapping and selling!


I also visited a wonderful Sunday morning flea market in Montreuil Bellay which was another highlight of our trip.My husband comfortable in a coffee shop with dog and newspaper and me searching for wonderful quirky items to bring back for the Gaia Bathtime shop; there isn t a better way to spend Sunday morning.

Montreul Bellay Flea Market.

Patient husband

I found gorgeous vintage under wear, men's  toiletry kits and 1940 and 50 evening bags.

A another new discovery was French scented paper also a very old tradition. Beautiful sheets of flowery, beautiful smelling papers to line your draws and wardrobes and small pieces to burn to scent and purify your home. I suspect we might try and stock these in Gaia Bathtime.

Soap scenting and exfoliating ingredients

Ancient craft of scenting paper

Miss Crofton in Parsemonia c/Laforja 89
Barcelona

Olga, Montse and the  Chefe
in Pasemonia 

On our last day in Barcelona I had the opportunity to visit the delicious small shop 'Pasimonia' for which we had the pleasure to develop 3 new ranges of products scented with lovely dusty, floral, vintage notes, consisting of soap, shower gel, body lotion and body polishers.http://parsimonialatienda.com/ Olga of Parsimonia and Montse welcomed me to the shop and are working hard to introduce Barcelonians to the Huga,Gilda &Nina range . Also found in  this deliciously luxurious shop is latest Miss Crofton range of Underwear.http://artwednesday.com/2011/07/20/an-interview-with-miss-crofton/
 Nice to have the family under one hat!

Last but not least I collected my first Michelin Star while in France dining at http://www.restaurantlegambetta.com/restaurantlegambetta.aspx

to celebrate my birthday and went horse riding! Not a bad way to spend ones birthday!

Gaia Autumn Yoga News

AUTUMN YOGA SCHEDULE


Mon - PREGNANCY YOGA - 19.30pm with Blanca
Wed -YOGAMOR - 19.30pm with Martina
Thu - GODDESS CLUB - 20.15pm with Blanca

YOGAMOR - classes for urban people
 with soul and big heart

Our wonderful yoga classes are back on this autumn with new schedule! So come to relax and take a deep breath in the midst of the urban jungle.

We are also welcoming Martina in the Gaia team. She will be teaching  Satyananda yoga style class every Wed from 19.30. You can be looking forward to an introspective practice that encourages profound relaxation through dynamic postures aligned with respiration. Each of the classes opens with a mantra guided by Martina´s beautiful voice. Don´t miss out!

EVERY WED - 19.30pm at GAIA


Namaste! Bienvenidos Martina en el equipo de GAIA! Cada miercoles por la tarde 7.30pm clases estilo Satyananda - una practica introspectiva con posturas dynamicas que conduce a una relajación profunda. 

Entrégate al presente con amor y confianza,siente la energía vibrar en cada célula de tu cuerpo. Cada clase comenzará con un canto de mantra guiado por Martina. No te lo pierdes!

 

CADA MIERCOLES - 19.30 en GAIA