Bend Yoga Charlottesville

06/11/2020

Been missing your pre and postnatal yoga classes?? Check out the new online subscription based platform here!

Prenatal classes are geared toward alleviating physical symptoms of pregnancy, strength building and breath work in preparation for labor and delivery. Classes are appropriate for any stage of pregnancy.

20/09/2020

Thank you a million times over for reading these stories.

We are indebted to every author for your vulnerability and knack for celebrating others. You helped us all say thank you and goodbye.

Beautiful things await in Charlottesville and beyond.

xoxo
Lynne Sade & Holly Odom

19/09/2020

My Bend Story by Kelly Cox

I fell in love thousands of times over the last decade. I fell in love with the humor and grace you all showed as these babes took over your bodies. I fell in love with the way you carried yourselves and the beauty of pregnancy. I fell in love with your sweet babes, who you so easily placed in my arms and let me love all over them. I fell in love with motherhood.

For those who know me well, this may seem like the silliest of all statements. I don’t have children, I have never had the desire. I love kids, have worked with them for years; I just never had the urge to produce any of my own. I get asked daily “what made you decide to not have kids?” — the answer is pretty simple, nothing. I never “decided” to not walk this path; I just knew that my role as a Mama was a little different.

So thank you Mamas, for sharing funny stories in prenatal class. Thank you for showing up on your mat, despite feeling physically exhausted and not in control of your bodies. Thank you for talking to the Mama on the mat next to you, asking how she feels. Thank you for listening with kindness while other Mamas shared tales of births and of loss. Thank you for asking about other Mamas, and about babes. Thank you for sitting in silence together, breathing, meditating, praying for Mamas as they lost babes, and gone down the road of trying to conceive again. Thank you for clapping for each other during class, for pushing yourselves to love the changes your body has gone through — and for holding plank just a few breaths longer.

Thank you mostly, for making me a Mama. I am blessed to have held this space for you all. I am blessed that you trusted me with intimate details of your journey toward and through motherhood.
Thank you all for blasting my heart wide open....

As a Mama, here is what I have learned:

You will not get your “pre-baby body” back; it does not exist. You now have a body you know is powerful, that carried and birthed babes, that has served you in ways it never had to be before. You now have a warrior body. Take pride Mama.

You will never be a perfect mother. your children will never be perfect. Just like yoga, parenting is all practice. One of my teachers says, “The goal is to love the practice.”

When things don’t go as planned, stop to take a breath, and try again.

It does not matter when babes’ teeth come in, or when they start crawling. These things always happen in time and just when babe is ready. Sleep schedules work themselves out. You will figure out how to introduce first foods. Your b***s will stop hurting.

It is impossible to hug, kiss, or encourage others too much. Impossible.

Years at Bend: 2010-2020

18/09/2020

My Bend Story by Sarah Reedy

bend is my village.

I spent three years of my early twenties serving as a Peace Corps volunteer in one of the least developed villages of one of the least developed countries in the world. I was young and newly married with no plans of ever becoming a mother myself, but I certainly learned what it means when they say, “it takes a village to raise a child.”

Women in Lounuatuan do not give birth in a hospital. Rather, each woman labors at home surrounded by the women in her life who are already mothers themselves. They coach and cheer and advise the laboring mother and the babe is born surrounded by the grandmothers, aunts, and friends who will be a constant throughout her life. And when that mom is sick or tired or behind on laundry or just in need of a break, she knows she has to just call out and someone will take the baby. Or she can let her toddler toddle out the door, confident he cannot go too far or get into too much trouble without someone who knows and cares for that child swooping in.

Fast forward many years, my husband and I decided to have a baby in conjunction with the decision to leave our hometown, Chicago, so Aaron that could pursue a PhD at University of Virginia. I was acutely aware that, as a new mother, not only would I never have a village like Lounuatuan, but I was leaving the community I did have to enter motherhood alone. It was just Aaron, nine week old Ben, and me

Before I even arrived in Charlottesville, Aaron had bought me a 10 class pass to bend as a birthday present. Less than 48 hours after arriving in Charlottesville, I pulled it together and got us to our first sweet pea class. bend was instantly welcoming and supportive. The yoga mats were already laid out, with bolsters and baby blankets in place. All a new mom needs to do is show up. I met a woman there whose baby was one day older than Ben. We saw each other again the next day at the farmers’ market, I could hardly believe that three days in Charlottesville and I was already running into people I knew. Two and a half years later, I am a part of a wonderful community of moms who will lend a hand when I am sick or tired or behind on laundry or just in need of a break. I met almost every one of them at bend.

I feel so lucky to now be a part of the bend teaching team, to be in a position to connect other moms to one another. It takes a village to raise a child. It takes a village to nurture a mother.

bend is my village.

Post Script: I wrote this blog post back in 2015 and I submitted it now in lieu of something new because it’s incredibly hard for me to pinpoint what my bend story is about. It’s a story about my time there as a mom, making community and being cared for by others. It’s about my tribe - the women I met at bend when we all had babies and we’re navigating the phases of motherhood together. It’s about my own babies, who have maybe spent more time at bend than any other single place and are better people for it. It’s about holding other women’s babies and watching their toddlers attempt to master the two footed jump. It’s about the privilege I had as a teacher to share so much joy, and sometimes pain, with the incredible women that fill this town. It’s a story about Kelly. It’s a long story and it’s a lovely story and I am thankful to everyone who is woven into it.

Years at Bend: 2012-2020

18/09/2020

My Bend Story by Archer Odom (as told to her mom)

What is your favorite yoga pose? “Downward dog, two steps forward, jump all the way, mountain pose.”

What would you like to say to your yoga bears teacher? “Hi Miss Kendra. I really thank you for teaching me at bend. And I think you are a great teacher.”

What is your favorite memory of being at bend with your family? “When the whole family came and picked me up from yoga.”

What did you like most about bend? “Itsy bitsy spider and savasana.”

What is your favorite savasana memory? “I remember looking, when I was not closing my eyes, I would be looking at you with your feet up the wall.”

What is your favorite savasana puppet? “Dog.”

P.S. Her little sister Belén wanted to say this to her teacher Miss Sarah: “I love you. And I love your flowers [pinwheels]. I liked doing the blankets and the pillows putting your eyes on. The balls. And I jump on them.” 💜

Years at Bend: 2014-2020

18/09/2020

My Bend Story by Holly Odom

My first class at bend was on a Halloween night. I had never really tried yoga before, & only a few people knew I was pregnant. One class, I saw my former co-worker Jillian. “Oh you’re pregnant, too!” I can just see us now, trying half moon pose against the wall, falling out, & laughing. Our husbands first met in the green-walled studio for a weekly birth class—feels perfect that their deep friendship started at bend too.

One morning in April 2014, I woke with a text from Jillian. She wouldn’t be at class that night—Etta came early. Three weeks later I called Kelly from Martha Jeff to say I wouldn’t be at her 5:30pm class. The next Friday my husband Bo & I were downtown & suddenly were sitting with Kelly in the purple-walled studio feeding Archer & recounting her birth story.

With babe in belly I put my legs up the walls of bend during 3 distinct seasons (Archer, Belén, & little Lucy). I tried hard to squat for 2 mins. because Kelly asked me to, & I lunged around that room with 2 babies. They grew from stroller to running from the Market Street elevator to the studio. Many bend stickers & tattoos later, I am the luckiest.

Kelly, thank you. You taught me to breathe into the crunchy discomfort. You listened. I, like many others, just wanted to be near you. Once you played a kids savasana song, & it told us to pick a color to cover us from head to toe. I loved it, & you let me request it again (I picked gold glitter). A year or so ago I wrote you & Sarah an email titled “Extend Class Pass.” I just had a miscarriage & wasn’t going to be at prenatal like I’d thought. Not sure how to tell others, I knew I could tell you.

Sarah, thank you. You taught me patience & how to celebrate play. I remember needing to step out during Inchworms, mad because Archer wouldn’t stop running around. When we walked back in, you weren’t phased—you modeled how not be so controlling. Your mama classes were hard but always fresh, & you challenged me when I mentally didn’t think I could do another flow.

My family would not be as intact, cherished, & known by me if I wasn’t continually welcomed & loved by you.

Years at Bend: 2013-2020

17/09/2020

My Bend Story by Jillian Lum

I won a raffle at an Anthropologie event. I didn't know the yoga classes I'd thrown my name in for were prenatal yoga classes. The day I headed into my first class I was a bit nervous. I'd not taken a yoga class in years and very few people knew I was pregnant. But it turned out to be the best part of my pregnancy. The classes gave me strength and confidence, helped me practice patience. And most of all - Bend gave me a community of support at a time I very much needed one. I met my dear friend Holly with whom I got to experience not one but two pregnancies, I found Sarah Davis's natural childbirth class which led me to my amazing Doula. Bend was a safe space for me during my pregnancy and I have Bend to thank for my positive pregnancy and birth experience with my daughter, Loretta. I am forever grateful. Thank you Kelly.

Years at Bend: 2013-2017

16/09/2020

My Bend Story (Anonymous)

The first time I showed up at Bend for a prenatal yoga class I was 12 weeks pregnant with my first baby and nervous to be the new girl at this place I've never been. But almost instantly, when I got on my mat and we started going around the room telling how far along each of us were and how we were feeling...I felt so lovingly welcomed into this beautiful community of mothers. After that, the classes were the thing I most looked forward to each week during my pregnancy. It was more than a class, it felt like a warm hug. Everyone came in as they were, shared their stories and heard mine. I felt like I was a part of something really special, like I was a member of this super cool club. I learned so much from the other mamas there and the advice and guidance I got from Kelly has been invaluable. I remember running into other mamas from class around town after they had their babies and feeling this incredible sense of joy and pride. I'm now pregnant with my second baby and missing Bend terribly, but the community and the 'motherhood sisterhood' that was created at Bend still feels very much present to me in Charlottesville. The local resources that Bend opened my eyes to have been the gift that keeps on giving. Bend was a gift to this town and lives on through all the mamas and babies that experienced it's magic. I am forever grateful for my time there. xoxo

Year at Bend: 2019

16/09/2020

My Bend Story by Hannah Shepherd

I'll never forget my two "firsts" at Bend. After my first Mamaste class, I realized that pregnancy wasn’t going to highlight fragility but instill strength in me! During check-ins, I was totally blown away by Moms further along than me who shared their stories. The strength, the pain, the good days, the bad days - all of it was inspiring because, ultimately, we were there together. After months of Kelly's Mamaste, I realized I was building more strength emotionally and physically. Kelly was like a lighthouse - always leading us back to what's important: a happy, strong and healthy Mama. After building myself up for a blissful unmedicated L&D, with meditation, aromatherapy, rainbows, spiritual ancestor whispers and pure peace, I found my baby was fully stuck in breech! No physician, rebozo, spinning whatever, downwards dogs, flipping in pools or witch doctor in town was going to convince this baby to flip. So, then I was stuck with a scheduled cesarean— with plenty of drugs, a scary operating room, tons of people and not to mention "major surgery." After a few days, I decided to change my perspective. I knew that I had everything I needed within me to still have a beautiful birth, not through a c-section but through an "abdominal birth." I fully attribute that self-resurrection to Kelly. I knew I had everything in me to face this unfavorable situation with all of the strength and positive attitude that I had found in Mamaste! Kelly not only brought together a community of Moms during pregnancy, but she met each of us individuals exactly where we were at, no matter what was going on. There, she helped build us up to fully experience what we needed out of pregnancy and birth.

After getting through the tunnel of delivery and those first few sleepy weeks postpartum, I was excited about my next "first" at Bend, but with my son Sagan in Sweet Peas! I went in, navigating this new world of existence as a new Mom, with the expectation that I'd never truly feel like myself again. In class, Sarah simply picked Sagan up (I still don't know how she does it with one arm!!) and took him as her own for a good 30 mins. I had no idea who Sarah was, but immediately felt like she was taking care of both Sagan and I. I specifically remember thinking to myself, "I've just had a baby (he's over there), yet here I am, doing yoga and challenging myself...I'm still HERE, and I'm ME!" Sarah was one of the first women in the world that taught me there were going to be SO MANY people that love my baby too, and that I'm not doing this alone. Another fond memory, again where I realized I felt like myself, was in Kelly's Sweet Pea class doing a circle of marching lunges to Beyoncé. In that same lunge circle were 3 of my now best Mom friends that I still love and cherish today.

Bend, I love you so much! I'm eternally grateful for all you did for me and every Mama to ever come to class. 2 days before COVID quarantine, I found out I was pregnant with baby #2. A few months in, Bend closes. I joke with my partner that 1/2 the reason I wanted to get pregnant again was so I could go to Bend! Nothing lasts forever, but I feel very equipped for #2 and beyond because of BEND! Bend's legacy will live on forever ❤

Years at Bend: 2018-2019

15/09/2020

My Bend Story by Lyndsay Malcomb

Before going to Mamaste, I had been to one yoga class. In that class I threw out my back so I wasn’t particularly keen on yoga. My outlet has always been running, but at 17 weeks, after a particularly slow and uncomfortable run, I realized I couldn't do it anymore. I was lost for a while before a friend recommended Bend.

My first night at Mamaste, I pulled my mat into the furthest corner and hoped no one watched me struggle. When Kelly said to close your eyes, I kept peaking to make sure I knew what downward dog was. At the end of class, I was surprised how good I felt so I went back for another class, then another, and soon I was craving them. Mamaste slowly replaced what running did for me. I felt better physically when I laid in half-pigeon or had my legs up the wall, but the greatest unanticipated benefit was the change in my mental and emotional health. The twenty - sometimes forty - minutes of class where veteran mamas share their pregnancy tips and tricks, new mamas share their worries, or Kelly explained pregnancy mysteries was the best therapy I could’ve ever asked for. Some nights there were lots of laughs, other nights, there were lots of tears. The classes and mamas I met along the way helped me work through a lot of my own new mom worries. Eventually I dragged my mat out of the corner as my confidence rose and anxiety shrank.

Bend closed 11 days before Miles was born. If it had been a normal weekend, Kelly likely would have confirmed that I was in early labor during our Saturday morning class (which would have saved us from a lot of guesswork). I wish I had the chance to push through those last 11 days doing two minute squats, rocking on the purple yoga balls, and relaxing in shavasana. The camaraderie that Kelly built is like nothing I have ever experienced. I attribute my successful birth experience to Bend, what Kelly taught me, and what I learned about myself. I will be forever grateful.

Years at Bend: 2019-2020

15/09/2020

My Bend Story by Kara Romano

I’m not great with words. But, I didn’t want the moment to reflect on Bend and give thanks to Kelly & Sarah (and the whole Bend community) to pass. So tonight I turned on the ever-beloved “Gentle” by Ryan Richko from Kelly’s playlist and my eye welled up with tears… and the lavender scented memory of the squishy Bend studio floor strewn with it’s mats, bolters, and blocks and the way it smelled a little bit like rubber too… and Kelly's voice saying “how many weeks? any requests?” as we sat cross-legged on our mats. I am forever grateful to the people and the space that lead me through 2 pregnancies and 3.5 years of motherhood! I learned so much—about growing a human, stretching my body, nursing a newborn, and mostly taking a little time for self care so we can care for those around us. Thank you for the vinyasas, the 2-minute squats, the lunges with screaming babies, the back rubs, the words of wisdom, the comfort & peace, and all the love from this great community of women—now turned dear friends. CVille will never be the same because you were here.

Much love, kara & crew (Anne Stuart—3.5 years and Julia—14 months)

Photo by the incredible , March 2017

Years at Bend: 2016-2019