3. SMELL & TASTE
Part of having synchronism with our bodies is knowing and enjoying the smell and taste of things that we like. Pregnancy is a wonderful time to make the most of this as these senses are usually heightened. Our sense of smell, memories and emotions are all connected. We all know the saying “Smell the roses”. There is such a wonderful truth in that.
As a person’s nostrils draw a beautiful fragrance into their body, and at the same time their body is having a pleasurable experience, a lovely memory is being formed.
The more of these, the greater the production of the hormones that make us feel more at peace and content.
4. TOUCH
There is so much I could say about this. It is both about touching others and things and letting others touch us. As an adult, we have moved from knowing things by playing and touching them like a baby, to being able to know something by just looking at it. To be well connected with our bodies, moving back to touching can do wonders. Take a stone for example, I see that it is round and smooth, I know from experience it is weighty, but until I pick it up and feel it with my hands and put it up to my cheek, I wouldn’t know just how cold it feels from sitting in the shade.
5. LISTEN
The art of listening. So much is in our air waves. Just sitting here at my desk, I can hear: the heater fan, the computer, the cars going by, the creak of my chair, the keys being tapped, the fridge motor, none of it is natural.
Sometimes in the morning I open my window before the distractions of the day and hear the dawn chorus, I have also at times walked to a bush and sat there to hear the beautiful sounds, so refreshing, so beautiful.
Taking in the fresh air, sitting quietly, allowing my body to breath and listen to nature does wonders for my soul.
Making time to drink in the sensations of a natural life through our senses can help preparation for the intimate nature of childbirth and breastfeeding. And as Sheila Kitzinger said, to be “synchronized with our bodies”.
Louise James is from Taranaki in New Zealand. This is where she raised her four children and now enjoys grandparenting. She has been an advocate most of her life for women during the childbearing years and believes strongly in the natural instinctive ability of humans to pro-create. She is a trained and experienced educator in childbirth, breastfeeding and early childhood education.
She is the producer of the ante-natal video series www.view2parent.com and can be found on Facebook.
