[John]

Hello,

My name is John and I am Deb's husband. I am also the administrator of this online community. Early this year, Deb and I began discussing ways we could enhance the student's experience at the Prenatal Yoga Center. I have a lot of interest in technology and have been following the growth of user-generated content on the Internet for sometime now. I saw Deb's prenatal yoga community as the ideal group to build an online community around.

At first, it was a grand idea to set up such feature rich site, so we started small and redesigned the center's core website. With the launch of the community forums, we got a glimpse (albeit small) into the beauty of easily being connected to your community. These forums will quickly grow as more people begin to frequent the site.

Our first major launch is the resource directory which boasts hundreds of resources on everything prenatal and postpartum related. While a substantial database to start (over 300 listings), we will be adding more resources constantly, so keep checking back. Also, feel free to request a category if you don't see one up there yet.

So what's so special about another resource directory? Well, to begin, this resource list is loaded with tools to allow you to easily add, rate and review resources. A directory is one thing, but a directory with opinions from your peers is a completely new ball game. We've even gone so far as to add customized ratings for each section. For example in the Photographers section you can rate on Artistic Eye, Personality, and Professionalism and in the Maternity Clothes section you can rate on Style, Comfort, and Selection. We believe it is small touches like this that will create better experience for you. For more info on the resource list check out the Announcements, Tips and Tricks forum.

The resource list is just the beginning and we have many ideas, big an small swirling around in our heads. This site is capable of doing many things and our imagination is the limit. We want to make this a unique experience and focus on your needs, so feel free to send me a Private Message (PM) or an email.

I'll be keeping an eye on things around this space and will popup to help answer any questions, specifically ones related to the site and its functions. I'll leave the rest up to all of you.

[HypnoBirthingNYC]

I live across the street from Prenatal Yoga Center and for many years (12) I have been thinking that I need to get in touch with you and introduce myself. So, here I am. Over the years I recommended many moms-to-be to take yoga classes with your center and they reported back a great benefit from taking me up on that. Only we, you and I, did not know each other then.

In the past 8 years I have been specializing in giving childbirth education classes in preparation to a calm birth with philosophy called HypnoBirthing, using self-hypnosis for intent of peaceful labor and birth. I teach positive thought, positive language and positive re-programming suggestions through self-hypnosis. Unmedicated, healthy, alert babies are proof that this technique works for many content moms! Hundreds of moms and dads-to-be write to me about how this technique helped their lives change.

I am also Founder of New York Awareness Center, a center for personal development since 2000. Here is the website: www.NewYorkAwareness.com. I am a hypnotherapist and a childbirth educator. I'd like to introduce myself and give a free introductory lecture at your Prenatal Yoga Center community to enlighten the community of mindful forward looking moms-to-be about the benefits of positive suggestions and healthy pregnancy affirmations. In my opinion there is great possibility of integration and work in tandem with body mindfulness of yoga.

Hope to hear from you!
With Best Wishes,
Morrin Bass, PhD, BCHE
Author of HypnoBirthing New York!