Hello to ICLW Friends, Old and New

I felt slightly disoriented about the date, having had the children home for Easter break for 2 1/2 weeks.  They just went back to school yesterday and I can now find some breathing room to do a few of my favourite activities, one of which is reading other people's blogs. I'm ready to jump right in to the April list tonight.

I have a few interesting things going on here in London and while I know that many of you live thousands of miles from here, I'm glad I can share them with you.  While I continue to coach private clients internationally by phone and locally at Stanmore Chiropractic Clinic, I have been busy creating a series of group programs based around different fertility statuses: fertility health, trying to conceive, healthy pregnancy, menopause and early fertility, from menstruation to first sexual experiences. 

TTC from infertility and after miscarriage - Beginning in May, I'll be running 6-week fertility workshops for individuals and couples who want to maximize their chances of conceiving and carrying a healthy baby. There will be experiential taster sessions of different complementary therapies, including acupuncture, reflexology, massage, chiropractic care, fitness, hypnotherapy and, of course, my fertility coaching, tied together by group discussions on issues such as self-awareness, asking for support and decision-making. 

 

Some folks are more "sit-back-and-watch" kind of people, but I always think that you establish comfort and understanding more easily when you get involved.  I want everyone on the courses to go away with the knowledge that there are tools they can use to relax, centre and focus, restoring their confidence and control.  This program will repeat throughout the year, to include new members.  To also provide value to returning members, I'll be bringing new practitioners in each time, so attendees can get a chance to find the right practitioner for them.

 

I will use the same principles in two other workshop series this year:

• A mother/daughter workshop that will promote better communication and understanding of the stage of fertility they each find themselves.  We'll address the younger women's issues relating to changing body, emerging fertility and sexuality. We will also address the mother's issues, which depending upon her age, will include diminished fertility, slower metabolism, concerns about attractiveness and aging. They will be treated to sessions with a nutritionist, reflexologist, yoga instructor, personal trainer and image consultant. We will give these women activities they can do together and feel good about without the pressure of direct conversation in an empty space; and
• A menopause workshop for women in peri-menopause or menopause who are concerned about how they feel and look. While it isn't strictly uniform, women begin experiencing changes in their weight, energy levels, annoying memory lapses, relationships, sexuality and sleep habits. They will be involved in group discussions, create a "patchwork quilt" of their fertility history and re-examine their identity, style and ability to make significant contributions to family, work, community. It's about being clear about their quality of life each step of the way

Circle + Bloom - If you don't already know, I am the fertility coach for Circle + Bloom, the  American company that creates extraordinary audio programs to relax you and enhance your fertility through mind + body principles.  Common issues for women who become pregnant after infertility, fertility treatment and/or recurrent miscarriage, are fear, stress, lingering anger, relationship difficulties and lack of support. Their customers have been great coaching clients, because they are enthusiastic about and committed to doing everything they can to help themselves.  C + B are developing a program aimed specifically at IVF-assisted conception, to add to their popular 28-day program that syncs with your menstrual cycle and ovulation, a relaxation program for husbands, and sessions for pregnancy.  I'm proud to be associated with Joanne and Susan, the women who founded Circle + Bloom, and I'm committed to providing another dimension to their work through fertility coaching. Please head over to my the blog page explaining the benefits of our work.

Finally, I am delighted to announce that I have been invited to be a regular blogger for the American Fertility Association's (AFA) Blog.  I've been a fan of theirs and their dynamic Program Development Director and writer Corey Whelan for quite a while. Their mission statement is a commitment to preventing infertility whenever possible and to helping people build families of choice, particularly when faced with infertility.  Their website, blog and programs in the community educate and support thousands of people, regardless of sexual preference or marital status, whose greatest wishes include good health and a family. I hope to provide the AFA, and you, with newsworthy, thought-provoking and interesting reading.  You can find my first article, "It's Your Body; Know it to Own It," here.

Whew! That's it folks. I invite you to read the posts I've put up during my first year of blogging.  It's not all fertility-related, as I also have a family life and an abiding interest in people, fun, love, injustice, good food, giving and living.  Please leave comments. I depend upon them to keep me inspired to write, learning about all sorts of things and feel connected the people for whom I write. Having "0 Comments" after my posts makes me look like "Nancy No-Friends."  I intend to be better this month about answering your comments. Have fun!

Comments

[Marisa]

Your workshops sound great!!!!

I'm coming to London in June - and will be there for my b-day. I can't wait to go. It's one of my favorite places in the world!

ICLW
http://daega99-arewethereyet.blogspot.com/

[Miriam]

Congrats on the honor of blogging with AFA- that's wonderful. I have to say, from the site design to your writing, I feel refreshed :) Have a wonderful weekend and Happy ICLW!

~Miriam (ICLW #67) Hannah Wept, Sarah Laughed

[Mrs. Gamgee]

Those workshops sound really great!

ICLW

[anxiousmummy]

Hey Lisa,
thanks so much for your kind and supportive words on my blog. In regards to your suggestion, it would definitely be great if that was a possibility, unfortunately I can't do that in my workplace. I always try to go to the doctor before work which is a lot less stressful but my doctor wasn't available at that time which is why I squeezed in at lunch. Ugh, IF is so hard!
Wish I could come to your workshops, sadly I live in Australia...
Take care :)

[tomi]

Your workshops sound fantastic - I don't think there are many that offers information, support and education on matters like IF and TTC.

Thanks for visiting :)
tomi, ICLW

[Kristin]

Wow, you are covering such a wide range of fertility related topics in your workshops. They sound fascinating.

~ICLW

[Lisa]

Hi Kristin,

My initial reason, for becoming professionally involved with fertility issues, was the loneliness I felt while I was experiencing unexplained miscarriages and secondary infertility. Also, at the time, my confidence was at an all-time low and I had people-pleasing tendencies, so I didn't respond to other people's questions, comments and opinions about my infertility in the way I would now. I saw this as my chance to support other people, by educating them and others about IF.

My focus widened to include all fertility-related scenarios, because I realized how fertility is so integral to a woman's life (in particular), self-esteem, social life, sexuality and relationships.

Lisa

[Lisa]

Thanks Tomi,

I am going to try to record the workshops, so watch this space for availability of the recordings.

Lisa

[Lisa]

Hi Anxiousmummy,

Yes, IF is hard enough already. Why does it have to affect EVERYTHING? IF people really think "outside the box" to keep the rest of their lives sane.

Let me know if you would be interested in an online or telephone workshop with a similar focus. I can only take 12 people in the clinic sessions right now, but I want to deliver this exciting program to more people, because I know how helpful it can be.

Thanks for your lovely comment. I hope you'll visit my blog again.

Lisa

[Lisa]

Hi Marisa,

I have to agree that London is one of the best cities in the world. I hope you enjoy your birthday trip here. I have spent many of my own birthdays in Paris. There's nothing like a change of scenery to stimulate the senses.

Lisa

[How to Relieve Stress]

Many women have difficulty getting pregnant and when each month passes without it happening it can create tremendous stress on the woman,as well as,on the marriage. How do I know this? I experienced it myself.

The problem is that stress can interfere with the woman's ability to get pregnant also, so it's a real catch 22 situation if you see what I mean.

Here is a website devoted to helping you find out all you need to know about stress and how to relieve stress easily.

http://howtorelievestresseasily.com/category/coping-mechanisms-2