Prenatal Yoga
I’ve been wanting to feature this month’s Community Partner for a long time and I’m really grateful she said yes to my request! I first met her through an online group when her daughter was a newborn. What struck me most about Ivory is her amazing, deep dimple! The next thing that stuck out about her though, was her calm and quiet presence. She was newly postpartum, her squirming baby was on her lap, and yet she seemed so grounded. I thought for sure she’d been a mother for a long time, but she was brand new! Fast forward a few months when she and I happened to be invited to the same, intimate mother blessing for our mutual friend. It was wonderful to meet her in person, give her a hug, meet her little girl, and share space with her as we wished our friend well on her pregnancy, labor, birth, and beyond journey. I really love when the universe decides to surprise us like this, it’s truly so special!
The wisdom that lies within Ivory is palpable and her gentleness has a contagious calming effect that we could all benefit from. I’ve only been in her presence a handful of times, but I’ve appreciated every one of them. And I’m always looking forward to the next time our paths will intersect. Here’s a little bio about her. Stay tuned for more from the two of us on Fridays throughout this month.
Ivory Levert is the owner and founder of Rise and Bloom Yoga here in Columbus, Ohio. The business was inspired by two of Ivory's greatest inspirations, the poet Maya Angelou and her daughter, Zamya. The word rise in her business name is actually an acronym! It stands for restoring intuitive sacred energy. How powerful. Purposeful. Strong.
Ivory leads trauma-informed yoga and wellness practices that help folks invite more ease, joy, and clarity into their everyday lives. She specializes in vinyasa, restorative, meditation, pranayama (breathwork), and pre/postnatal yoga and she encourages mindful movement through guided classes, workshops, private group sessions, and retreats.
Ivory focuses on empowering individuals to reconnect to themselves both on and off the yoga mat; helping folks learn their bodies, know when to challenge themselves, and when to seek rest. As someone who didn’t initially feel welcomed in many yoga spaces, Ivory aims to make her classes accessible and welcoming to all body types, backgrounds, and experiences.
At the end of this month, Ivory is launching a 7-week prenatal yoga series that will run from May 25th - July 6th at The Yoga Carriage from 6:30 pm - 7:45 pm. As the description of the class states:
”Creating life can bring about a myriad of emotions ranging from joy and excitement to fear and uncertainty. As you prepare to welcome a new addition to your life, we invite you to create space for your own well-being through mindfulness practices such as breathwork, meditation, asana poses, and reflective journaling in a nurturing community.”
Boy, do I wish I had known Ivory and had access to this class when I was with child!
Her 7-week series will offer an opportunity for participants to:
Identify supportive breath practices to help regulate your emotions + nervous systems.
Welcome mindful movement and restorative postures that invite ease, comfort and strength-building to meet the unique needs of your changing body.
Engage a deeper connection to self + your needs through chakra exploration.
Foster community-building through reflective journaling + dialogue with birthing parents co-journeying through this process with you.
Receive helpful resources that prioritize the health and wellness of birthing parents + their families through pregnancy and beyond.
