Family Passages - Yoga for fertility

Yoga for Fertility is a tool to heal your mind and body. It is an opportunity to stop the chaos as you realize you no longer need to desperately seek answers. Yoga provides an opportunity to look within your Self for guidance. The answers you find will guide you on the path you are meant to take and help you find meaning in your fertility journey. In finding meaning you will find peace, and in the peace, Anything is possible.

You can be a Mother. I believe in You! I know it with every cell in my physical body. I believe it with my whole heart and I will hold faith for you until you believe it as deeply as I do.

All I know for sure is that in practicing Yoga for Fertility, miracles happen. Miracles, that on a human level, I can’t even begin to find words for.

Please join us as we ignite our mothering energy and step into our full fertile potential.

Click here to view our current class schedule and for registration information or click on a link below for more information.

Benefits of Yoga for Fertility

Wall Yoga for Fertility

Yoga for Fertility Audio Classes

Frequently Asked Questions

Current Research: The Impact of Stress on Fertility

What Others are Saying...

Yoga for Fertility International

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Benefits of Yoga for Fertility

Yoga for Fertility is a unique form of yoga designed to prepare your body, mind and spirit for new life. Through guided meditation, specially selected poses, and one to one support, you learn techniques to calm anxiety, let go of negative thinking, open your pelvis and stimulate the energy channels associated with reproduction.

Our warm, welcoming classes are a place where you can share your experience and discover new ways to become fertile and powerful in all areas of your life.

Yoga for Fertility can:
• Help reduce stress and anxiety
• Create a positive self-image and positive thinking
• Renew your sense of sexuality and feminine wholeness
• Increase intimacy with your partner
• Provide a community of “girl friends” experiencing similiar

circumstances
• Restore your sense of control by showing you simple ways

to take charge of you reproductive health

Click here to view our current class schedule and for registration information.

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Wall Yoga for Fertility

Need a change in perspective? This class is designed for women that would like to deepen their fertility yoga practice. Explore and transform the physical, mental and emotional obstacles that may be interfering with your ability to conceive. You must have completed at least 1 series of regular yoga for fertility classes.

(private sessions, small group and couples sessions available)

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Yoga for Fertility Audio Classes

Unable to attend a class?

You can now experience Sue Dumais' voice guided

Yoga for Fertility audio classes

Visit our Listen Online page for more information.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Sue has created a list with answers to the frequently asked questions. Click here to read them. If you still have a question that has not been answered please contact us.

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Current Research: The Impact of Stress on Fertility

According to Psychologist Alice Domar, the director for the Mind-Body Center for Women at Boston IVF, her research suggests that stress and the psychological symptoms associated with infertility are similar to those associated with other serious medical conditions. Domar’s research also suggests that mind-body techniques that elicit a relaxation response such as meditation and yoga can reduce stress and increase a couple’s chance of conceiving.

· Recent research has shown that for many women infertility

can create levels of anxiety and depression equivalent to

women with cancer, HIV status or heart disease.

· The higher a woman’s stress level the less likely she is to

get pregnant according to studies done by Alice Domar,

author of Conquering Infertility.

· Psychological or physiological stresses such as life

changes, loss of a loved one, college stresses, dieting and

excess training, have all been associated with menstrual

cycle disturbances, increased cortisol levels, and decrease

in reproductive functioning.

· Stress reduces the chances of conceiving with In Vitro

Fertilization (IVF) according to several studies. In one study

women with symptoms of emotional distress were half as

likely to conceive as those who were not depressed.

· High levels of stress have been shown to:
1. Alter the function of hypothalamus gland, which controls

ovulation
2. Contribute to irregular menstrual periods
3. Produce high levels of cortisol the “flight or fight” hormone
4. Decrease reproductive hormones like estrogen and

progesterone
5. Divert blood flow away from the ovaries and uterine lining

thereby effecting egg quality and successful implantation

How Yoga for Fertility & Mind Body techniques can help:

· Mind-Body treatment of infertility patients has been shown to both increase pregnancy rates as well as reducing psychological distress.

· In one study patients participating in a Mind-Body program had a pregnancy rate of 55% after one year compared to 20% for the control group

· In four published studies on several hundred women who had been infertile for 3.5 years, 42 percent conceived within six months of completing the Mind - Body program and there were significant decreases in feeling of depression, anxiety and anger.

The stress and anxiety related to fertility challenges can affect a couple very deeply. The good news is that there is support available. Yoga for Fertility and Mind Body techniques help reduce stress, enable you to regain some sense of control and release pent up emotions. Couples that participate in Yoga for Fertility classes become calmer and clearer about their fertility and the decisions they face. Their journey becomes more manageable. They learn to be more accepting, trusting and joyful.

References:

1. Domar, A., Clapp, D., Slawsby, E., Dusek, J., Kessel, B., Freizinger, M (2000) Impact of group psychological interventions on pregnancy rates in infertile women. Fertility and Sterility Vol. 73, no.4 April

2. Domar, A., Zuttermeister, P., Friedman, R (1999) Distress and Conception in Infertile Women: A complementary approach. Journal of the American Medical Women's Association. Vol. 54, No.4

3. Demyttenaere K, Bonte L, Gheldof M, Veraeke M, Meuleman C, Vanderschuerem D, et al. (1998) Coping style and depression level influence outcome in vitro fertilization. Fertility and Sterility. 69:1026-1033

4. Domar, A (1996) Stress and Infertility in Women: Is there a relationship? Division of Behavioural Medicine, Deaconess Hospital Mind/Body Institute, Harvard Medical School. Psychotherapy in Practice 2/2:17-27

5. Domar, A., Zuttermeister, P., Friedman, R (1993) The Psychological impact of infertility: a comparison with patients with other medical conditions Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetric Gynaecology. 14 Special issue 45-52

6. Wasser, S., Sewal, G., & Soules, M. (1993) Psychosocial stress as a cause of infertility. Fertility & Sterility, 59, 685-689

7. Domar, A., Seibel, M., & Benson, H (1990) The Mind/Body Program for Infertility: A new treatment program for women with infertility. Fertility and Sterility, 53, 246-249

8. Pennebaker, J., Kiecolt-Glasser, J & Glasser, R. (1987) Disclosure of traumas and immune function. Health implications for psychotherapy. Journal of consulting and Clinical Psychology, 56, 239-245

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What others are saying...

“Sue, you've been a true blessing to me. I wrote a poem recently and want to share it with you.

I need to find that peaceful place

To feel the sunshine on my face

Where leaves fall gently at my feet

And with eyes closed, our spirits meet

I've climbed this mountain times before

But never have I felt you more

Your presence is like warmth and peace

A blissful silence for release

The air is cool against my skin

Eyes open now, I breathe it in

That peaceful place, I love to be

That space where you are here with me.
I feel like I've changed and learned so much over the past 10 months since I first walked into Family Passages.Thank you for all that you do and for being you.”
S.D.

"As I embark on the next leg of my fertility journey, I can’t help but reflect on how far I’ve come over the last 3 years, particularly the last 6 months. I know this is due in no small part to the warm and caring environment you’ve created with Family Passages. When I first came to your studio I felt so incredibly alone but I quickly learned just how far from the truth that was. To be in the presence of other women who truly understand the heartache associated with infertility was a true gift and it gave me such strength when I needed it most. Through many tears and much laughter, you have helped me to accept, to be playful and above all, to believe. And for this, I am truly grateful. Thank you!"

K.H.

“I just wanted to inform you that I've delivered two healthy boys on Sept. 17th! I really wanted to say that when I got pregnant last January, I believe the yoga for fertility really had a lot to do with my success in getting pregnant. I had attended the Fall sessions, and was really working on getting my mind and body in shape for conception. By Christmas, I had a strong feeling whenever I did the visualizations in Sue's classes that I was ready to conceive. I just felt that it was time. And it happened! (We were trying for #2, but were blessed with #3 as well!!! It was a BIG surprise!). So, just wanted to say "Thank you" for the classes and good luck to everyone!”

I.W.

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Yoga for Fertility International

Family Passages Yoga for Fertility audio classes are now available. You can now experience Sue Dumais' voice guided classes in the comfort of your own home. Click here for more information.

Sue Dumais recognizes the need for more support for women and couples all over the world so she has created the following courses:

Yoga for Fertility Instructor Training

Fitness Fertility Specialist Certification

These courses are the 1st of their kind in the world. Sue has been teaching courses to instructors across Canada and will be offering these courses internationally so more women have access to the benefits of a soul mind body approach to yoga and fitness for fertility. If you would like to host one of these workshops in your area please contact us.

Sue's passion to increase awareness about fertility and help couples all over the world is contagious! If you know someone that would be interested in these courses please pass on this information.

Looking for a Yoga for Fertility Class in your area?

Visit my new website at www.yogaforfertilityresources.com

Note: this website is temporarily unavailable.