then it's worth trying," she said.

Besides her prenatal yoga classes, Pedersen also instructs birthing workshops, offers private post-birthing classes, specializes in body psychotherapy and works locally as a therapist.

She regularly attends birthing workshops and will often teach mothers how to talk to their unborn baby.

Pedersen said it's the combination of her personal experience and information she has gathered from birthing conferences as well as taking classes and teaching classes, that has allowed her to be an expert in what she does. "I just really, really love what I do. It's so amazing to be a part of these women's lives," she said. "After the baby is born, the mother can come in for a show and tell, and talk about the baby's birth."

Pedersen said in both her workshops and her classes she teaches women to create a safe space for themselves. "When you fear pain you resist it, so essentially I try to teach women how to let go and find their strength," she said.

While some women who take Pedersen's classes are accustomed to yoga, other students are not familiar with it until they take the prenatal class. "I encourage women who have never even taken a yoga class to try it," she said.

Featured on "The Dr. Phil Show" as well as in Parenting magazine, Pedersen also teaches her prenatal classes to those who are earning their yoga certification. "I have such a passion for what I do," she said. "I feel very fortunate to be able to be a part of this community and have the opportunity to get to know so many wonderful people."

For more information, call Mindful Beginnings ^®at 372-8400

Article and Photo by Jennifer Evans

On her knees with her head pressed down and her arms behind her back, Lisa Pedersen, owner/founder of Mindful Beginnings^®, demonstrates a yoga pose she teaches in her prenatal yoga classes.

As the mother of two young boys, a prenatal yoga instructor and a therapist, Pedersen understands what pregnant women are most concerned about.

"There are several fears associated with giving birth," she said.

Her classes, which are taught in Hermosa Beach at Lyfe Yoga Center (formerly Planet Yoga) and at Mind and Soul, focus on helping women through their pregnancy.

Using different poses as well as breathing techniques, Pedersen helps women feel more relaxed and comfortable with being pregnant and eventually giving birth.

"One of the concerns that women have is a fear of complications while giving birth. So often times we'll visualize that the baby is perfect," she said. "I'll also try to help women think structurally about where the baby is so they don't always have to rely on ultrasounds to know where the baby is positioned."

Recently, Pedersen worked with a woman who was 36 weeks pregnant but her baby was in a breech position.

Pedersen worked with the woman instructing her on specific prenatal yoga positions and within a week her baby was turned the correct direction for delivery. "It doesn't always happen that way, but I think if there is a safe way to do something that might help with the delivery of the baby,