Arasys is in the HOUSE!

That's me on the top left after a course, 10 sessions, I lost 5 pounds and my clothes fit, excited to lose more inches!

Direct from London, from the inventor of the pacemaker, Arasys Inch Loss is in Beverly Hills.  You can read all about it at www.arasysinchloss.com/yulia, and contact me directly for details, coachyulia@gmail.com or 323.377.0707.

Katy Sylvester is the owner of Arasys in Los Angeles, her great uncle is the inventor, and it is all over Europe.  I was blessed to have Katy come to one of my Pilates classes, and then to my Rosh Hashana table last year along with her mother who was visiting from London.  I was amazed at the instant results, and cannot wait to finish my courses to finally get my stretched skin like it used to be before babies.  Many med spa's have devices that target cellulite and contour, but they do not affect skin, or cause any positive health activity inside the body.  Besides being equivalent to a 3 hour rigorous, isometric workout, Arasys actually drains the fat through the lymph system as it breaks up cellulite, and firms the skin in the process.  As a fitness professional, I love that form is not compromised, it is amazing for back problems, because the rest of the body is completely at rest, while Arasys activates the nerves in the targeted area to do a full contraction, no lactic acid buildup, no tired or sore muscles, no injury.

We are opening a location in August, but for now I am doing treatments out of my home and on location.  Please get a group of friends together, and lets spot reduce, which is not possible with conventional exercise, you have to do your cardio, eat right, resistance, sleep, and be happy.  Of course a healthier person will get faster results.  Because of my three babies in a row, my skin got super stretched, and cellulite is trapped.  I am strong on the inside because of my Yoga and Pilates, and I always say I wish I looked as good on the outside as I feel on the inside, now I can!

Join me,

Coach Yulia

What to do when we get hurt or don't feel so good

Now that I am hurt, my lower back is healing, Thank God, but it still has a ways to go, I am noticing the injuries all around me and pain in all sorts of places in the people around me.  I am talking strictly physical, the other stuff is another blog, emotional, mental, and spiritual.


A good friend who is a massage therapist, told me to ice to help inflammation, and apply heat to help blood flow to keep healing.  Friday I lifted something heavy wrong, slowly but surely focusing on taking it easy, luckily it was a strain, I can still function.  I'm wearing a magnetic belt that activates the core, lets the back relax, because with kids and mornings, there really is no rest.  Today I have three Yoga classes, meeting with a Doula client, and a business meeting with the owner of Arasys inch loss, in between I am squeezing in a massage. When I teach Yoga, my regulars can demonstrate for me while I guide the class through the poses.


What to do when we get hurt or don't feel so good?

1. Rest
2. Listen to all advice
3. I like to try everything natural, but I was just told that an advil will help the muscles relax and heal, it is not that painful to me, I just have to be careful how I move my body not to activate it.
4. Ice
5. Heat
6. Hot water from shower or jacuzzi directly to the area.
7. Arnica is amazing for bruises and healing, I had it and forgot about it until my student reminded me this morning.
8.  If it is not going away, I would go see a Doctor just to make sure nothing is wrong.
9. I have also been eating and drinking healthy healing foods, tea and honey, and ginger, fruits, vegetables, and anything else that is related to what is ailing you, everything helps.

Would love to hear your tips,
One class down, rest of my wonderful day to go,
Feel Good Friends,
Take Care Of You,
Who will do it for you if you do not do it for yourself?
We only get this one body in this lifetime, treat it well, and it will treat you well.
Ending with one of my favorite quotes,
"Excess once in a while IS Moderation,"
Coach Yulia

Capturing the Moment

Thank You Roland

I love moments that are unplanned and captured, we had friends over this weekend, and all the kids came over, and this picture really captures who they are in this moment in time.  They were having a blast, cracking up, performing for the crowd, and being super silly, you can feel it through this picture.

Capturing the moment for me today means dealing with the moment, and getting through it, my back still is not good, it is bearable, I have a high pain tolerance, I am not taking anything, I do not like to take anything ever.  So we will see once I have my outfit on, if it is still super unbearable, I might have to take something to get me through three hours.  I have been looking forward to this event, and am excited, and I know it will be great.  I love my work, I love to work, and I am really going to have to manifest a personal assistant to manage my schedule, so I can keep my head out of that, and just letting my energy flow.  God Willing it all gets so good, we can get help in our home, we are blessed with my husband taking care of most of it, but I have always wanted to be out in the world and work, the home is just not somewhere I want to be spending my energy.  I am actually good at it, housework and office work, I don't like to sit in an office either, I like to run around town.  That is why I don't have a studio in one location, it would not be easy for everyone to come to me, so I love going to them.  I actually secretly love organizing, I enjoy when everything is in its place, but I would only want to do it for my home, could never imagine it as a career.  I also do not mind washing dishes, especially with gloves on, my hands get so dry, I actually like getting everything super clean, crumbs, mold, and things stuck on have my focus until they are gone.

That is why I am not meant for housework, I would be more OCD than my husband, and I would never leave the house.  That is why in college I was happy to have a "B" grade and have a social life, I love to study and learn, I enjoy law and medicine, but I cannot imagine giving my life over to a full time study schedule, I would go insane.

Balance,
Fun,
Know Yourself,
Coach Yulia

I did what I tell everyone not to do

My back hurts, lower back, cleaning up on Friday for Shabbat, had a few heavy things in my room, distracted by multitasking and talking, and I am in pain.  Putting ice, and a back support, didn't go anywhere today, took a nap, manageable, but definitely not good.  I know how to hold my posture, I know how to lift correctly, before lifting my heavy kids I activate my core, bend my knees, and breathe, OY!

Of course tomorrow I have an important gig, got my nails and hair done, have to be on my feet, look and act top notch, top of the line clients and venue demonstrating a one of a kind inch loss system, Arasys, by the inventor of the pacemaker, www.arasysinchloss.com.
One thing I know how to do well is perform, and look like I know exactly what to do no matter what the circumstances.  When showtime comes, I am on, and I am good, but I hope I won't be in too much pain.  All day today I could barely sit down and up, icing my back all day, wearing my magnetic back support and core strengthener.


My husband took the kids to synagogue to let me rest, but once they get home, its mommy this and eema that.  I'm a waiter, I'm a teacher, I'm the help me do this and help me do that.  All I could say my back hurts today, can you help me, and luckily they really understood and did help. Yes a little stir crazy, but that can be expected on our day of rest with no distractions of technology, overall a great day, hopefully a good night's rest and more ice will get me in tip top shape.

We had so much fun last night with good friends for our weekly Shabbat dinner, such great conversation, the kids put on shows for everybody, we were laughing and talking about good times. These are friends that I have met since I moved to LA, 15 years of friendship, we have grown, yet we are all still growing, achieving, planning, and doing beautiful things in this world.  There is an artist and a unique energy in all of us.

Check out my talented, beautiful, and gifted friends that are making this world healthier one person at at a time.

http://www.integratedwellnessconcepts.com/
www.rolandhealinghands.com

Love surrounding myself with powerful people with a purpose,
Now to get back to resting,
Shavua Tov,
Enjoy the rest of your weekend,
Coach Yulia

Life Lessons

Since I have had a huge change in my schedule and free time in the last two weeks, I have filled it up with the work that I love, and have been non stop.  I am so happy, yet tired, it has been hot, and the desert heat really affects my kids and I.  They get fevers and a dry cough, we use a humidifier and homeopathic cough medicine with honey, and I get a super dry throat, skin, and nose, I use my neti pot, drink tea and honey, and try to sleep as good as I can.  I feel when you finish something, whether toddlerhood, a job, or anything in life, it takes a while for your body to find its rythm again.  The schedule completely changes, and there is a type of detoxing going on, I feel extra tired, and now I can let me body replenish, heal, and move forward.  Most importantly what has helped me is to be open and really listen to my gut.

Every Shabbat we learn life lessons, I love to read perspectives and thoughts, I think we can learn from everyone and everything that happens in life.

"The best way of defeating anger is to pause, stop, reflect, refrain, count to ten, and breathe deeply. If necessary, leave the room, go for a walk, meditate, or vent your toxic feelings alone. It is said that about one of the Rebbes of Lubavitch that whenever he felt angry, he would take down the Shulchan Arukh to see whether anger was permitted under the circumstances. By the time he had finished studying, his anger had disappeared.

The verdict of Judaism is simple: Either we defeat anger or anger will defeat us."- Rabbi Jonathan Sacks

Rabbi Hirshy Minkowicz

Backup Camera

It seems to be a standard feature in most automobiles these days but for me it was a novelty. I am talking about a backup camera which helps you see what’s behind your vehicle when backing up.

They are pretty cool gadgets but something I haven’t really used much before. Our family cars are not equipped with many technological gizmos such as built in GPS, fancy audio systems and….backup cameras.

A week in New York using cars borrowed from family members opened my eyes to this gadget and the lessons it contained. I was enamored by the camera yet couldn't understand why.

Most of you probably use these every day so I won’t bother you with the details but it is pretty cool to have a screen up front showing you not only what is behind your car when backing up but also using alarms and flashing lines to protect you from going too far and causing damage to your car or the one behind you.

Imagine we had such a gadget on the journey we call life.

At those moments when we are unable to move forward without taking a step back, how lucky we would be for some guidance and protection not to go too far.

At those moments when circumstances seem to give to us an unwanted setback, a warning of what is behind us would put limits on our slide.

We strive to always be in a forward motion but the reality of life sometimes sends us the opposite way. A backup camera with slick indicators and bells would be a fantastic lifesaver.

Then I realized that it exists but you have to seek it out. Our sages in Pirkei Avot teach “Provide for yourself a spiritual leader, and acquire a friend.”

Masters and friends are crucial for survival. They encourage us on the way up, and protect us if we ever fall. They are important on so many levels but particularly when backing up. They alert us to what is behind us and safeguard us when we trip.

I have no doubt that our family is where we are today because of a tight circle of teachers, family, and friends that appeared on the screen when life had us backing up. Our sages had it right.

Seek out spiritual leaders and good friends, in addition to everything else, they will serve as your backup camera.

I then understood why I was so enamored by the backup camera in the car.

The story above made me laugh because I got spoiled by the backup camera and other features, since we lease cars, my husband is an auto broker, they are brand new and have all the gadgets.  I am now driving a used car, it handles great, Thank God has air conditioning and electronic windows and doors, but not much else.  I actually have to pay extra attention now how I back up and back in, I kind of liked the guided system, it is nice to have a guide, just to make life a little easier to navigate.

Enjoy this awesome video of  "Mad Science,"

I took my kids to this free show at the library,

I know how to navigate around town and find fun things for kids for free!

Shabbat Shalom,

Coach Yulia

Go Fund Me

I always see interesting funding campaigns, for such a variety of goals. For some its a health crisis, while for others it is a project like a movie or a work of art.  I am jumping into the world of piano lessons, and I want to do it 100%, I found the perfect teacher for my almost 7 year old son, he is a sensitive soul, and she made him feel like he was getting it, and always had a positive perspective on the learning process.  I feel this will be similar like Yoga is for me, a complete mind and body connection, where the rest of the brain can take a break, teaching focus, discipline, and giving undivided attention to the task at hand.

I do not have a piano at home, and his teacher was telling me I can get a keyboard, so I was doing some research, and I really want to do it right, have him learn the classic, correct way to play.  She was telling me that a quality, used piano would be $3000, so that is my goal for my Go Fund Me, campaign.  I have never done something like this before, but this just feels right, I want to do this right for my potential musical genius.  My mother graduated from the Moscow, Conservatory, has a beautiful voice with a wide range, conducts choir, and plays piano, it is in the genes, but skipped over my generation.  What I love the most is it really seems to come naturally and easily to him, from understanding the keys, notes, sounds, and taking direction instantly, down to the curvature of his fingers and sitting position.

I figure if every other friend gives $5, I would easily reach my goal, and if I find the perfect piano for a little more, then my family can work together to make it happen.  Deep down this feels right, I am so excited for this opportunity for my son.  His elementary school has a choir and instrument program, this will set him on the right track to audition and qualify.  I took him to his free trial lesson yesterday, and had to see and feel it in my gut if it was the right path for our family, and I feel that the right teacher can bring out the natural abilities and skills, and we have found her, Thank God,
www.lynnekruger.com.

Thank you for listening, thank you for following my journey as a woman, a wife, a mother, and a strong personality.  Thank you for all of your wonderful comments when we talk and when I see you around town.  Thank you for telling me that you enjoy reading my blog daily.  Consider this $5 or more to fund "Piano for my future musical genius,"  http://www.gofundme.com/pianoforeli. 
If it is not in your budget, then please just pass it on, maybe on your Facebook page or other social media, maybe in an email, maybe to someone that loves the arts and music, everything and anything will be a tremendous help towards our goal.
.
So excited,
Coach Yulia

What makes sense and feels right to you?

I love living in a diverse world, it makes me happy to be surrounded by people from all walks of life. It makes life fun, interesting, and exciting, and my kids are open and friendly to everyone they meet. I am always interested to learn the reasons and background of how someone feels, acts, dresses, and presents themselves.  I respect what makes sense and feels right for each person, in life and in Yoga. I feel grateful to have choices, and surround myself with people that respect what makes sense and feels right to me.  We don't always have to agree, but we can agree to disagree, and maybe learn something along the way.

I posted an amazing video yesterday about the history of the bikini, it is fascinating what our culture sees as normal now, and in a lot of ways we are so desensitized.  Once again, to each their own, but take ten minutes to see how it used to be, how it is now, how men's minds work based on a research study, and how modesty and fashion are possible, https://realimprints.org/the-evolution-of-the-bikini.

Another article jumped out at me today about the power of women to choose how they present themselves in this world.  You always hear to not judge a book by its cover, and this woman really gets to the heart of choosing the right way of being just for her, http://www.haaretz.com/opinion/.

Thank you http://www.lynnekruger.com/, he loved his lesson so much! He is a natural like his Babushka Irene.

I am so proud to be in tune (pun intended) with my children, and trusting what feels right and makes sense to them.  Many parents fill their children's schedules up with sports, arts, dance, and other extracurricular activities.  My kids are just not stuck on one thing, my husband is not into sports at all, and I learned from my mother that it is important to know your child and do what is right for them. I am a very sensitive person and a perfectionist, my mother knew that dance classes would not be a benefit for my personality, if I couldn't be the best or if there was rejection, I would be upset and not enjoy it.  Everyone is different, I am still like this today, and that is why Yoga is the perfect fit, there is no perfect, each person has to find the right way for their own body.  I love encouraging my students to be patient, and really listen to what feels good and makes sense to their neuro-muscular system.  It is amazing when a large group of people are just in their own zone, enjoying the energy and flow, but feeling like they are the only person in the room.  They are not there to watch me, they are there to learn about themselves, physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

My mother is a high level musician, she has a wide vocal range, conducts choir, and plays piano, and has entertained all of her professional life.  Those genes passed over me, I am more into movement, I feel beats, love dance and choreography, and am a great performer, I really know how to look like I know what I am doing!  My kids definitely got the musical gene, my daughter loves to sing, and my son has a photographic memory, is great with languages, and was telling the music teacher about the notes that he learned in school earlier this year.  She was impressed, and had him understanding and playing the piano while following notes, he really looked in his element, focusing, and wanting to learn, and most importantly having fun.

What makes sense and feels right to you?

Coach Yulia

Teach Yourself How

Lately I hear myself comparing many things to riding a bicycle.  I have taught my three kids, and it is amazing how the only thing that eventually works is practice, and going for it, and doing it, no explaining, reading, or watching has the same effect.  The video above is mind blowing because it shows how they taught the brain how to unlearn how to ride a bicycle.  It is fascinating to me that we can teach ourselves how to do almost everything.  Of course some brains are better at academics, dance, or a certain skill set, but overall, if the determination is there, it takes choice, discipline, and hard work to reach goals in life.

My kids have had success with Speech Therapy, I felt it was important that their brain learned early on, so it would not get in the way later in life.  One mother was telling me her two kids had different learning disabilities, and she worked with each one differently, and the brain learns how to circumnavigate around the challenge, and operate successfully and fruitfully in the world we live in.

I love being a person's first Yoga class, because I want them to understand that there is no perfect way, there is not one way, there is just their own body's way.  Understanding that is something that cannot be taught to someone, each person has to give their undivided attention to themselves and let their neuro-muscular system figure out what works best for their body.  Of course focusing on form, alignment, and core, but each person will look different and feel different, and that is the whole point.

We can retrain and reprogram ourselves from thinking and actions that we do not want.  Our upbringing, background, culture, mechanics, even physiology is not in charge, we are.  This is a very powerful concept in Pregnancy, Labor, and Birth.  We are lucky that today there is a choice, and each mother must take the time to get informed and choose wisely what kind of birth she wants.  The medical model is one extreme, and having your baby in the ocean is another.  Choose what works for you and your family, it is your freedom, it is your right, teach yourself how, it is possible.  This article talks about the medical model and how doctors and hospitals are obsessed with the cervix as being the main indicator of how birth is progressing, when it is just one of many factors,
http://midwifethinking.com/2015/05/02/vaginal-examinations-a-symptom-of-a-cervix-centric-birth-culture/.  When your labor begins, it doesn't mean that it is going to end in any specific period of time. I am on call right now for someone whose beginning signs of labor started two Sunday's ago, and she is calm, she took birthing classes, she is enjoying how it unfolds, doesn't feel in a rush, not anxious, just letting her baby and body lead the way, and her husband is fully on board.  I feel so honored to witness and support how birth is meant to be.

Teach Yourself How,
In Every Area Of Your Life,
Nobody Else Can Be Your Teacher,
Trust Yourself,
I'ts Your Choice,
Coach Yulia

Do you take it personally?

take something personally

phrase of personally

1. 1.

   interpret a remark or action as directed against oneself and be upset or offended by it, even if that was not the speaker's intention.

   "I took it personally when he yelled at the class"

   synonyms:

   take offense, take something amiss, be offended, be upset, be affronted, take umbrage, take exception, feel insulted, feel hurt "please don't take this personally, but I think the trim should be a shade darker"

When something happens to my family, my community, Jewish people all over the world, Israel, and even good friends, I take it personally.  I want to talk about it, shed light on it, give an objective, researched perspective, and my own opinion.  When other horrifying things happen in different parts of the world and in America, it makes me sad as a person, as a human being, that there is a disregard for life, attacking a group of people, instead of seeing each person as a unique individual.

Recently there have been so many tragedies, the latest one in Charleston, South Carolina.  I cannot even imagine how a person gets to this place of hate and destruction, especially of innocent, kind people that did nothing to him, he didn't even know them, but in his point of view, he thought he was right.  Just like Hitler thought he was right, and many people followed his logic, and did unspeakable acts systematically for their opinion of greater good.  All of this has no good in it, it is the opposite, it is getting into a state of mind that justifies actions that most of us can never comprehend.

I see so many articles, but I found the following links interesting, because I take them personally, they attack my ancestors, my nation, my religion, my family, my way of being that makes sense to me in this world.  Nobody should have who they are taken away from them, and shame on everyone in that murderers circle that didn't say a word, many innocent lives could have been saved.

This article talks about the Charleston gunman's manifesto, and he was against so many people, so sad how this was ingrained in his being and pointed him in the direction of hate and mass murder,
http://www.timesofisrael.com/charleston-gunman-decries-jewish-agitation-of-black-race-in-manifesto/

I was born in Moscow, when it was still the Soviet Union, before my parents and I were set for a new life in America, somebody put a bomb under our car.  Luckily my father rolled it out, didn't know what it was, started walking away, and then it blew up, Thank God he walked away unharmed.  I admire my parents, and am forever grateful for their strength and guts to take their little Jewish children to a free life, in an unknown country, without the full command of the English language, they risked everything for us, I wish them health, happiness, until 120 and beyond.

This is an amazing clear truth about why Jewish people will never keep quiet and be led to slaughter again, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/yair-lapid/on-the-holocaust-from-a-s_b_5735850.html?fb_action_ids=10152712323293594&fb_action_types=og.comments

This article shows how the world does not know how the Palestinians are treated by their own government, reminds me of the Soviet Union rules, laws, constant imprisonment, and no freedom of speech.

http://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2015/06/18/415189087/in-the-west-bank-facebook-posts-can-get-you-arrested-or-worse


I will leave you with the Pope's message of disbelief of the actions of all nations of the world who knew human beings were being transported to their deaths and did nothing to stop it,
http://www.timesofisrael.com/pope-world-powers-did-nothing-as-jews-were-taken-to-auschwitz/

I enjoy reading about personal experiences and thoughts,
I feel it is the only way we can share and discuss our differences and beliefs,
Coach Yulia

International Yoga day, :)

Happy Father's Day To All

Thank you for taking care of us Abba

We started our day watching some videos of when the kids were babies, it was fun for them to see themselves, and how different they looked.  My older boy is so different from my little guy, but when they were toddlers, there really is a huge resemblance, although one was much lighter, and the other one dark from the start.

My brother with his son as a baby, and he also has a daughter
and our amazing Father, as handsome as ever, Enjoy your day!

It is amazing for parents to see where they have been to really appreciate where they are.  As parents we have no choice but to deal with each moment.  It is so healthy to look back through memories, and get excited about what is to come. Each moment is precious, and it is amazing to capture it, happy I have some fun videos.  I am more the type of person that is in the moment, and don't want to lose it by focusing on the pictures, but it is so special to capture moments in time.

I am so grateful for my father, he is such an example to us all of good looks, health,  hard work, loyalty, and support.  My brother is also an amazing father, his kids have a blast every day, he is so special. Before I met my husband, I wanted a mix between my father and my brother, and that is exactly what I got plus a lot of other good stuff.

Happy Father's Day to all the ones in my life,

and to all the Father's out there,

Enjoy your day,

Coach Yulia

In Awe of Natural Birth

One of my clients is interested in doing HypnoBirthing, and I just finished reading the book.  I loved how it went through the history of birth, but didn't love how it presents an absolute way, which I feel none exists.  What was amazing to me, as I was reading the last chapters on breathing the baby down, and that I never understood exactly how to push, I couldn't put the book down, it was really taking me through beginning labor all the way to the birth.  I had a huge realization, with my second baby, I actually had a hypnobirth, there was not a name to it, it just happened, I was doing my Yoga breath, but now I know that based on all the techniques and descriptions, my second child was completely a hypnobirth.  Now I understand that I really breathed her down and out, it was not just an urge to push, she was just coming out, and I had to get out of the way, stay calm and open, got into my breath, and let my baby and my body do what it had to do, totally connected.

Then I saw this amazing description of a home birth, where she did it all herself, it was her fourth child, and she really deep down wanted to do it on her own.  It is so beautiful what is possible.

Lea-Ann Ellison

As i lay here in the quiet smelling my newborns sweet head i thought i would share her birth story. I awoke early Wednesday morning at 3am with a contraction i knew was not practice. I came to the bathroom to do a little self talk. I knew this was the day. As i was pinning my hair back and letting all fear go i decided not to wake anyone but instead go back to sleep. I slept soundly knowing i would soon welcome our newest spirit. When i awoke around 6am contractions were the same and a bit unpredictable but soon they were coming every ten minutes and held steady until around noon. I made breakfast and kept the morning routine. I was blessed to have brought my Los Angeles midwife out for the birth and she was staying with us. At 12:30 i decided to continue labor in our pool which was a comfy 91 degrees. Shane was frantically calling and texting my midwife Elizabeth to get back from the gym because contractions were now every 4 minutes. I had to tell him to chill! He can get so intense! Lol. As i labored in the pool i felt blessed and perfectly at peace. My heart sent love to the baby as i concentrated on opening my body with each surge. I let go. Shane stayed in the water with me and Skyler joined us. Watching the boys play was a gift and gave me more strength. After about an hour i felt the need to move inside to the bathtub where everyone was waiting. I had also found another wonderful Arizona midwife to attend and she was there to support also. I got into the tub and checked baby's station and felt fot the bag of waters since it hadn't broken yet. To my complete surprise baby was right there! I felt a little pushy but wanted to concentrate on holding my baby in and letting baby come on its own terms. When baby's head was crowning my water broke. I gave one nice push and i swear she shot out like a cannonball! I caught her in my own hands without the help of anyone. I secretly wanted an unassisted birth anyway and was blessed with this gift. Shane let me know we had a baby girl and i was so overwhelmed with LOVE. She never cried and i honestly dont think she even knew she was born for a long while after. Lol. She weighed 6 pounds exactly and is 18 inches of pure sweetness. Every birth has been completely different and perfect for me. I feel like a birth goddess after this experience and there is nothing in the world more satisfying and rewarding to me than being able to gift my children with a fearless, gentle homebirth.smile emoticon The end.

Here are few other facts from the HypnoBirthing book that make total sense and have been researched and scientifically proven:

"When endorphins are present from the very beginning of you labor, they inhibit the release of catecholamine, the stress hormone that causes muscles to tighten and constrict."

"It's interesting to note that the number of babies who arrive on their due date is only around 5 percent."

"With Birth Breathing, there is no need for a lengthy period of hard, violent pushing during descent."

"There are no adequate and well-controlled studies for the use of these drugs with pregnant women...it is still not known whether these drugs can cause fetal harm when administered to laboring women."

"As soon as your mind sends the message to the body that conception has taken place, your body begins to secrete hormones that gradually turn the hard, cartilaginous substance of the cervix into loose, spongy elasticity.  By the time your baby is ready, the opening of your cervix is as soft as your earlobe."

It is just magic!

Coach Yulia

Four Life Lessons

I am always inspired by other people, I feel we can keep learning from each other, it never stops. Social Media makes more of it possible, I love to keep connecting with inspirational and positive people. Four things really popped out at me, and I would love to share with all of you in the hopes of it clicking for you in areas of your life.  For me all of these pearls of wisdom just reinforce my positive and happy view of how life should be.  Even the hard stuff is important, it keeps us striving, thriving, and growing.

1. Daily Quote

There are two things that are no cause for worry: that which can be fixed, and that which cannot be fixed. What can be fixed should be fixed -- so what's there to worry? What cannot be fixed cannot be fixed -- so what's there to worry?

- Chassidic master Rabbi Michel of Zelotchov

2. Gratitude makes so many obstacles easier to jump over. Thanks always to Rabbi Jawary.

"And Korach took" (Numbers 16:1). One of the mitzvot in the Torah is not to be like Korach and his cohorts. Korach was an astute, wealthy,
and charismatic person. He had so many blessings, yet he lost it all
and became the paradigm of human tragedy. Rashi teaches us that what
led him to make such a major mistake in life and challenge Moses was
his jealousy. Jealousy has the ability to not only stop us from appreciating and enjoying what we have, but to lead us to make such ridiculous choices in life that we can lose all the blessings we have. The Torah gives us the antidote to this by juxtaposing the tragedy of Korach with our responsibility to be generous with the blessings the Divine gives us. A person who shares generously will learn to appreciate all that he has been given and to see that the Divine really has been generous with him. That is why the Torah never tells us what Korach took: it didn't matter what he took; the Torah wants us to focus on his attitude and not to be like him. He was a jealous person, never satisfied with what he had, wanting to take everything he could. King Solomon says it all when he tells us that "a person with a good eye is blessed." If we look at others benevolently, rejoice in their successes, and share of our blessings, we will see that we have more than we really need, and we will be able to enjoy all that we have. That is one of the greatest blessings life has to offer.

--
Shabbat Shalom!
Rabbi Jawary

3,“I’m single, unemployed, and late middle-aged. But I don’t really get sad. I just don’t think sadness is in my brain chemistry. When I go home to my apartment, I’ve got a faucet that releases both hot and cold water. You know how many billions of people don’t even have clean drinking water? And I’ve got two types of clean water: hot and cold.”

4.

Rabbi Hirshy Minkowicz

1 hr · 

This weekend last year I was on a community trip to Israel. Together with two hundred others from Atlanta we went on a Federation trip to support, tour and be inspired. The trip was a success and we all came back more invigorated then when we left.

A late night episode in the lobby of our hotel left the longest lasting impact on me. In fact it only had its fullest effect a few weeks ago.

One night in Jerusalem I went down to the hotel lobby in search for a drink. I met some old friends from Atlanta that ‘happened’ to be staying at the hotel at the same time. They introduced me to their friends who were also in town to celebrate their son’s Bar Mitzvah which had taken place that morning.

It should have been their happiest day but instead I detected some sadness. I inquired and found out that the Bar Mitzvah boy’s grandfather had joined them for the trip despite some serious medical complications. He really shouldn’t have made the trip but he wasn’t going to allow medical handicaps to hold him back from enjoying this special day.

The Bar Mitzvah was overwhelming but might have been too much for him. He immediately suffered a setback and his condition turned for the worse. There they were on the evening after their son’s Bar Mitzvah not knowing if the grandfather was going to make it through the night. They prepared for the worse.

My search for a drink turned into an opportunity to support. I prayed with them and tried to bring them some comfort but in my heart I felt so much pity for the sad ending to what should have been such a happy trip.

The grandfather ended up spending a few days in an Israeli hospital and then with a medical assistant flew back to the United States.

I stayed in touch with the family and we have since become friends. Every once in a while I would get an update on their fathers progress as he deals with his medical issues.

It dawned on me a few weeks ago that a year has almost passed since the night we thought it was over. Despite challenging medical conditions he is alive and well and has already experienced another full year of life with his spouse, children and grandchildren. More memories have been created for the next generations to cherish, and with G-d’s help there is more yet come.

Nature said that things were bleak and that’s what we bought into. We did what we knew best; we worried, cried, prayed and made plans. Yet the master of nature knows better and obviously had other ideas. He got him back on a plane and sent him home to enjoy some more time.

Hashem set up the natural order to run the day to day affairs. We know nature because it’s the world we inhabit. Yet we can connect with its author and reach beyond it. Faith and trust in Hashem is the key to surpassing its limits. For Hashem is the one that makes the plans.

Shabbat Shalom

Here is my take:

1. Why worry in advance? Why let it live rent free in your brain? It's your choice, I choose not to worry.

2. The grass is not greener on the other side, they say if everyone put all their problems in a pile, everybody would take their own back, be conscious and grateful for all the blessings in your life, and more will come. Choose to say three things you are grateful for on a daily basis, you will see a difference.

3.  Positive thinking, glass half full thinking, that is the only way I know how to operate, and there are therapies, classes, and beautiful people in our lives that can bring us to that way of thinking, choice.

4. Life keeps moving, don't let anything stop you from living it to the fullest.  Create memories, enjoy relationships, delve deep, dive in, and live full out, it's a choice.

Shabbat Shalom,

Coach Yulia

Technology is only good when it works

Ohh I had the best blog every for you yesterday, thoughts kept on coming into my head, and I was jotting them down in my notes on my phone.  I tried to sit down a few times at my laptop, but it just didn't flow, so I left it for later.  I tidied up the house, washed dishes, and then headed to teach my class.  I was even telling my morning class about my blog, and what I was going to write about, I was excited.  I will save all the good stuff for another day, I got a lot done, but the blog just didn't flow on my laptop.

After class I ran a few errands, and when I got home I had some lunch, and I realized I actually had time to nap.  I am a Doula on call 24 hours, so sometimes my nights are short, maybe from excitement waiting for the call to come, or sometimes attending a labor and birth.

So I tried to write again after my amazing nap, nothing flowed, and then my kids came home from school, and my attention got shifted, and we were busy.  Usually Thursday's we start getting the house ready for Shabbat.  We have guests on a weekly basis, our job is to get all the rooms organized and everything off the floor, so we were cleaning the kids room together.  Every Friday my amazing husband deep cleans the whole house, while the kids are in school and I am at work.  When the kids are home on vacations, my job is to get them out of the way, the Friday cleaning is a staple in our home, our kids know the drill.

By the time we cleaned up and it was their bedtime, I had to run out of the house to meet a Doula client. I didn't get home until around 10pm, relaxed with my husband a bit, and went to sleep.

How could I forget you ask?  The whole morning I was trying to reboot our computer at home, where I usually write my blogs, those are the webcam pictures you always see with the oven in the background and my water machine, and sometimes the laundry machines because the door is open. Our computer froze, and instead of writing my blog, I spent my whole morning before my class trying to get it started again.  I was able to turn it on once, but it was still frozen.  For some reason the writing didn't flow on my laptop.  I always say technology is only good when it works.  When our internet is slow we complain, when our smart phone stops working in the many ways that it could, we are lost.  I always have to keep my charger close, my battery goes fast, I do all my business on my phone, and I need to be reachable, Doula clients can call me anytime.

Soooooo I know it is no excuse, and I apologize to my daily readers wondering what is going on.  All I can say is two things, transition, there is a new chapter in my life, and my clock is off, I just want to recharge and sleep.  Also the house computer really used up my energy, I still can't get it on, I was woken up at 4 in the morning by my baby, poor guy has a cough and a fever, and couldn't go back to sleep.  Then  realized I forgot to blog, OY!

Friday blog coming later today,
Mommy Brain,
Technology on the fritz,
Exhausted from one thing ending and many things beginning,
Readjusting and Restructuring my time,
please accept my sincere apology,
Coach Yulia

This was another distraction yesterday, this gorgeous material caught my eye, I found it at a store for only $20, and the dress itself wasn't my style, so I was asking a few people I knew if I could make another dress out of  it.  I had it in my car since last Friday, bought it on a whim, and realized that the fabric was slightly damaged, and not enough for another dress.

Watchful Waiting

I truly believe everything in life is pros vs cons.  It is the only way to make sense of things, there is no such thing as perfect, but there is a good fit, and then there are things you can live with, and things that are just not for you.  I am talking about every single thing in life, from relationships, jobs, school, and even parenthood.

Another amazing concept is watchful waiting, it is so powerful.  It is the midwife and Doula perspective during labor.  Just keeping an eye on things, but letting them progress, just paying attention and listening, but not making assumptions, having expectations or frustrations, just letting it flow.  It really makes all the difference in how things ultimately turn out in everything in life.

On to new adventures!

So those are my pearls of wisdom for the day,

PROS VS. CONS

and

WATCHFUL WAITING

Try it,
So excited connecting with my childhood friends today, going to see them soon!
Coach Yulia

I LOVE TO RUN FREE

I go to an amazing bootcamp every Monday at 7pm, it is run by Jessica Marie, who is fit, talented, and creative.  Everyone always has a great time, and gets an amazing workout.  What I love the most about it is perspective, this workout actually made me appreciate running.  I do not love running, I do not want to run a marathon, I do not want to track my time, I just want to RUN FREE.  She sets up such a diverse workout, and each part of it is so challenging, that the running is actually a break.  I get such pleasure from taking a break, feeling the cool air all over my body, and knowing I am getting some amazing cardio and burning calories.

Many people I know really connect to the world of running, and I actually enjoy running with them because they are doing the calculating, and it is fun to know that you are improving, but honestly, it is too much work for me.  I just want to enjoy everything I do, leave my my mind and body to connect, and keep brain free of any other extra work.

This mind and body connection and gut connection really helps you get through many things in life. I am in contact with someone that is completely calm about her first baby, even though things are earlier and faster, she is feeling fine and trusting her body, the beginning stage of labor could take WEEKS.  I admire her so much for not calling her doctor, and reaching out for a Doula, plus the amazing birth classes she took at www.supportedbirth.com, have her calm and feeling confident.

What I also love is family connection, and unconditional love and 100% support.  I was so blessed to know that growing up, and although I feel drained as a parent, there is no other way I know how to operate.  My kids get all of me and that is it, to balance that I recharge with my work and pamper myself with massage and other pleasures, I love to be serviced.

This article really struck a chord, how in some cultures politeness, etiquette, and verbally thanking everyone and saying please are the norm, while in other cultures it is just understood.  In mother Russia, grandparents lived with their kids, you took care of them, and grandparents also helped take care of their children's babies.  I feel it is good to have a both, but knowing your family will always be there is amazing.

In India, people — especially when they are your elders, relatives or close friends — tend to feel that by thanking them, you’re violating your intimacy with them and creating formality and distance that shouldn’t exist. They may think that you’re closing off the possibility of relying on each other in the future.

http://cupofjo.com/2015/06/saying-thank-you/#more-53155

Things to ponder,
Enjoy the video I filmed of the bootcamp,
Sorry it was getting dark, and its sideways,
Jessica is in the blue top and black pants,
We ended with cardio dance,
Coach Yulia

LOVE, TRUST, SOUL

It was such a pleasure having my sister in law in town, my husband's sister, she flew in to meet our future sister in law, and we all had a wonderful weekend.  Her and I get into deep conversations, and I always love her perspective.  I am very blessed to have had an amazing life this time around, and it keeps getting better.  She was telling me that how we are raised affects how we function in life.  I was blessed to have unconditional love and support from my family, and above that complete trust.  I was always treated as an adult, I was put in charge of my brother when I was seven years old, he was five and a half, we just moved to America from the Soviet Union, and had very little resources.  My parents have trusted us completely all of our lives, they did give us advice, but always left it up to my brother and I to make the final decision.

I was telling her that beyond love and trust, there is also one more thing that determines how a person handles life.  Each person is a unique soul, we are all wired differently, even people with a perfect upbringing and freedom sometimes have challenging lives.  On the other side, you hear of people coming from the most tremendous circumstances and persevering, becoming an amazing example and inspiration to everyone they meet.

Just like everything in life, I feel it is important to educate ourselves, keep learning, and then make an informed decision, while also following our gut.  Unfortunately not everyone has a fairy tale, innocent childhood, and the world we live in is intense.  The video above brings up a sensitive subject in a simple, yet clear way, in which children will hopefully deeply understand they are in charge of themselves.

It all comes down to choice,

Freedom of Choice,

Choose Wisely,

Coach Yulia

Strive for a Meaningful Life, Not Just a Happy Life

My gorgeous, smart, strong, and unique daughter,
celebrating our future sister and law and aunt in law

My daughter and I started our day at a beautiful bridal shower, we are so excited for my brother in law, we got to meet so many friends and family, and get to learn more about. our future sister and aunt in law.

Then we ran to our next party, good friends had a whole Frozen theme, all my kids had a blast, and now I am home with my younger two.  My oldest had another birthday of his friend, and my husband took him.

I love celebrations and friends, and feel that it is so important to be social, make connections, and keep learning about everyone and communicating with each other.  This is what makes life meaningful, and each person has something to contribute, something unique, that nobody else would ever be able to do.  The following article was about a man that really distinguishes about having a meaningful life versus a happy life.  The following quote is so powerful, our mission, our connections, our light is so grand, it is about giving, where happiness is more selfish about taking.  So blessed that my kids are social beings and easily connect with everyone they meet.



This uniqueness and singleness which distinguishes each individual and gives a meaning to his existence has a bearing on creative work as much as it does on human love. When the impossibility of replacing a person is realized, it allows the responsibility which a man has for his existence and its continuance to appear in all its magnitude. A man who becomes conscious of the responsibility he bears toward a human being who affectionately waits for him, or to an unfinished work, will never be able to throw away his life. He knows the "why" for his existence, and will be able to bear almost any "how."

http://www.businessinsider.com/a-lesson-about-happiness-from-a-holocaust-survivor-2014-10

Parenthood is also about giving, that is why it is so challenging, and it is so important not to forget to give back to ourselves, recharge, re-energize, refuel, and just do what you got to do to, its different for everybody.

I am finishing my night by teaching a Yoga class, my work that I am meant to do in this world is my recharge, so grateful my family is supportive and lets me literally go and flow.

Only Simchas,
Celebrations,
We love to party,
Is there any other way to live?
Fun,
Coach Yulia

Connecting Without Technology

Taking a day off of the world is an amazing opportunity to actually talk to people, get to know each other, not be distracted by a phone call or a show, it is really magical, you should try it.

This is a celebration weekend, my sister in law is in town, we spent some quality time yesterday at the Korean Spa, enjoyed our body scrubs.  Then had all the family over for Shabbat dinner on Friday night, and today met at the park at the end of the day, all the kids played and we enjoyed perfect California sunshine with a cool breeze.

My husband took the boys to synagogue, while my daughter and I relaxed at home until our lunch plans.  I was invited to a wonderful family, we had met during a holiday meal at a mutual friends house, and she loved how our kids bonded and played, and asked us over for Shabbat lunch today.

It was so delicious, I am still full, and it was also non stop talking, and so many things in common.  It is so fun to get to know backgrounds, connections, and fun stories.  Our kids had a blast and didn't want to leave when I found out we were talking for four hours, and it was time to meet our family at the park.  What I love the most is I found out my friend's husband gives swimming lessons, exactly the type I was looking for, in our neighborhood for a great price. done.

Then at the park the mutual friend that we had the holiday dinner at was there, and introduced me to their lunch guests.  They were looking for a Prenatal Yoga teacher and have heard of me, and also may be interested in other business areas that I am working on.  On top of that, the new people that I met at the park knew my family, because their daughters were in the same class together.

I don't know if all of this makes sense, but I was just loving being out, talking with adults while my kids had fun, and getting to know amazing people.

For 24 hours we do not drive, talk on the phone, watch TV, go on the Internet, nothing distracts us from truly enjoying family, friends, and community, and I love that for my kids this balance to the non stop week is something they look forward to.

Work is Good,
Rest is Good,
Balance is Good,
All is Good,
Shavua Tov,
Enjoy the rest of your weekend,
Coach Yulia

Inward Motivation

Today I am coming across so many interpretations that are not the norm, and just like the video at the end of the blog, where each person is counting from 0-100, is a unique soul, and isn't that the way it should be?

What do you think of this?

 

I find it so beautiful, where it is traditionally a mother's role, or that is what you always see.  Here is a father and a son, giving their love and warmth to new life, being a family, this is how it should be.

How about this?

MaNishtana

everyone's piling up on rachel dolezal for recreating/presenting herself as an african american. i have my own thoughts on the matter, but here's something to chew on: wasn't everyone just celebrating caitlyn jenner like, two seconds ago? if gender is a "social construct" and race is a "social construct" why cant somebody be transracial just the same as someone can be transgender? why cant someone asian decide to be indian, or someone white to be black, not to "pass" but because thats how/what they "identify" with? curious on your thoughts...

http://trove.com/a/NAACP-Official-Pretending-To-Be-Black-Fa…

NAACP Official Pretending To Be Black, Family Says

[International Business Times] Several media reports have identified Rachel Dolezal's parents as a white couple from Montana, despite her claims to be African-American.

TROVE.COM

I was thinking the other day that I operate on INWARD MOTIVATION, I go by what feels right, and always check in with myself, and it is more valuable to me than anything else.  In some fields people are motivated by Outward Motivation, such as money, trips, or other tangible rewards.  Of course ideally both would be phenomenal, but if I had to choose one, it would without a doubt be inward.

How about you?
Ponder that this weekend,
Shabbat Shalom,
Coach Yulia

What a video! 0-100 in Hebrew like you’ve never heard it (or seen it!) before
Posted by AskDrBrown on Thursday, May 28, 2015

Subtle Intensity

I am so exciting to be teaching more Yoga classes, I am not taking anything on permanently, but whenever there is an opportunity to substitute I grab it.  I love when it is the first Yoga class for a student, and I tell them that is the best thing, so they learn how to listen to their bodies, feel good, in a calm mind and body focused zone.  I also love when a class is ready to feel good and follow the flow, and really know their body and really find their poses.  One student that was a regular Yoga practitioner but took my class for the first time gave me the best compliment ever, he said he liked my intensity, it was subtle, but it was there.

I love when two different words that have opposite meanings come together and make sense.  It is actually a very accurate description of who I am.  I'm not in your face, but you feel me, I make my presence known, and unless I am on stage or in front of a class, I do not own the room, but I connect with people in the room.  I always like to be open to who I connect with, I love to meet people, enjoy learning about diversity, all the different cultures, backgrounds, and life paths.  I usually go into every situation excited to see how it is going to turn out, not sure how it is going to sure out, and looking forward to what is meant to be.

Following your gut works in most situations, probably even in cooking, but in baking precise ingredients matter.  I had bananas that were about to go bad, so I looked up a banana bread with oats, no sugar or gluten, and very little else.  While my husband went to synagogue this morning, after my kids had breakfast, we all mixed the ingredients together.  I am proud of the picture, it looks great, I am waiting for it to cool down, and then I will have my first bite.  I didn't follow the directions precisely, I put in more bananas, less oats, and not oat flour but actual oats, no baking soda, and no nuts.  Here is the recipe that I kind of used, http://www.plantoeat.com/blog/2012/01/gluten-free-dairy-free-sugar-free-oat-flour-banana-bread/.

So sometimes we should trust what feels right,
Other times it is good to follow a structure,
It is a very personal choice,
Coach Yulia

Problem Solver

As much as I am a dreamer, I am also a realist, and I like to face live full on, straightforward, deal with things, and keep moving forward.  In my Yoga and Pilates, I am obsessed with form, alignment, core.  What I love most about it is even though how to hold your body correctly is universal, a right angle is a right angle for every person.  Each individual will look different and feel different depending on their body proportion, flexibility, and level.

I was fascinated by this article, you can also listen to the actual radio program at this link, about a culture where, Back Pain Hardly Exists!

http://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2015/06/08/412314701/lost-posture-why-indigenous-cultures-dont-have-back-pain

My good friend calls me a "Normie," I am grateful not to know depression or anxiety, and really don't understand it at all.  In our lives whether we understand something or not, it will be in front of us, and I am trying my best to take a look at myself when I hesitate, or feel myself unsure, or even uncomfortable or nervous, especially when I get blood drawn, or approach a new business or idea. Children are our best teachers, but it is not easy, especially if they are completely different from ourselves.  My problem solving skills are in full effect, I always say that I am a good detective, whenever something is lost, I can retrace steps and events, and 99.9% of the time find what I am looking for.

Of course we all get anxiety, but I just go full force ahead, and I do not understand the mindset of it holding you back from life, and how to deal with that and support my children in taking bold steps, even if inside something is scary.

I had a roommate that would get upset when I would problem solve instead of listen.  My brain automatically goes into let's figure this out mode.  I am working on really listening, staying patient, and maybe in the conversation, children will figure it out for themselves as they talk it out.

No I didn't cut my hair :)

Taking a deep breath now,
Joys of parenthood,
Thank God for these kind of problems,
Coach Yulia