Lakota Wisdom tells us that “In the circle, we are all equal. There is no one in front of you and there is nobody behind you. No one is above you; no one is below you. The circle is sacred because it is designed to create unity.”

You might have noticed a theme this month in our blogs – all those important things we need for our own health and wellness? It shouldn’t come as a surprise that our kids need them too. And gut health is no exception.

Winter is tough for us in so many ways. Fewer hours of daylight can have serious impacts on our mood. The cold means we can’t swim in the lake, grow vegetables in our garden, or barbeque at a pool party. The ice and snow can make it difficult to even leave the house sometimes. On top of all that, it can disrupt our grounding practice.

One of the reasons so many people love the holiday season is all of the traditions that come with it. The merriest celebrants are those who already know what day they’ll take off to go shopping, where they’ll get their Christmas tree and hang the stockings, or whose party they’ll be at when ringing in the new year.

Mindful Movement is the Most…

Satisfying

Beneficial

Calming

We think mindful movement is simply the best.

Some of the greatest gifts in life don’t come in boxes and aren’t to be found under the Christmas tree. This December, as the year is rapidly coming to a close and the mad dash to the mall and online shopping descend, I want to give you permission to slow down and take care of yourself. Self-love is essential, and I encourage you to give yourself the gift of well-being as 2022 comes to a close.

According to the Autoimmune Association, 50 million Americans - or 1 in every 5 - have one or more of the 100+ autoimmune diseases in existence. These include lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, Crohn’s disease, and so many others. Perhaps even more startling is that approximately 75 percent of those affected are women.

We’ve been talking a lot about the link between a healthy gut and balanced hormones. If you haven’t been reading along this month, the short version is that our digestive system – or gut – plays a critical role in hormonal health. Levels of serotonin, thyroid, cholesterol and so many other hormones we need to regulate our mental and physical health are dependent on a happy microbiome.

Our bodies are incredibly complex and our systems are interconnected. What happens in one part of the body can have a major impact on what goes on in other parts of the body or even, as we’ve discussed previously, our brain. Nowhere is that truer than in our gut. And its impact on our hormone balance – or imbalance – is undeniable.

Have you ever been so worried about something that you just couldn’t eat? Have you felt fluttery in your stomach when you were nervous about a test result or a performance review at work? These are two small examples of the connection between your brain and ‘second brain’, your gut.

What health problems can be traced back to our gut? It would be quicker to list the conditions that are NOT related to gut health. From digestive issues (which may seem obvious) to our mood and mental health, allergies, fatigue, and even autoimmune conditions, a healthy body and mind rely on a healthy gut. That’s why it’s good to take a step back once in a while for a literal ‘gut check.’ All of our biological systems are impacted by the 100 million neurons inside what some people refer to as our ‘second brain’.

It’s ok to feel your feelings, they are yours and they are real. As a society, we have not always done the best job of attending to our emotional intelligence. For some, it seems to come naturally that they are always in tune with what they feel. Others are at a distinct disadvantage when it comes to understanding the emotions they experience or that their loved ones experience. It can create a real barrier between you and the people you love if you cannot authentically share your emotions.

When we’re pregnant we are constantly preparing for the baby, but the baby isn’t the only thing we should focus on. I have yet to meet a woman who stops to think about “what do I need?” and when we miss this step, we begin to tumble down a rabbit hole. Once we hit the postpartum stage, our entire focus is on this beautiful little human we carried in our womb for nine months and we just naturally allow ourselves to fade.

When imbalances occur in your body, like chronic pain or disease, it can be the result of many factors. Genetics clearly play a role, as can lifestyle choices like inactivity, poor nutrition, smoking, or overindulging in alcohol. Yet, there is a third factor that is less obvious and potentially far more impactful: stress.

As many as one in ten women are affected by endometriosis. It causes pelvic pain – often severe – and discomfort and can impact sexual activity and fertility. Unfortunately, one of the biggest barriers to finding relief for endometriosis symptoms is that, all too often, it goes undiagnosed, misdiagnosed, or mistreated.

Self love is so important and something that we should always be working on.

One way to show ourselves self love is through movement.

Movement is about observing and listening to your body.

‘Movement was the catalyst for reconnection after so much disconnection.’ When it comes to a movement program postpartum, Kelly believes that it is really vital to provide the mother what she needs on that day & in that moment. It’s not just about what you need for movement it’s also what you need for your self-care, your nervous system, your mind, & your body. Read more about movement and pregnancy in this awesome blog!

Kelly Button bravely shares on her recent ectopic pregnancy, the ups and downs with experiencing a pregnancy loss, and extends gratitude to her care team, family & friends for the support she has received. Kelly shares honestly, feels deeply, and places words to all of the emotions that she has been experiencing as she moves through her healing journey.

If you are looking for a safe & effective form of movement throughout your pregnancy, Pilates is a great choice. It can aid in releasing tension (lower back pain), building strength, preparing for labour & delivery, & aid in your recovery postpartum. Kelly Button provides a fantastic overview of the focus in movement during each trimester & outlines great adaptations available to keep you moving throughout your pregnancy safely!