Restorative Yoga workshops for stress relief for the Nurses of Belize and Doula Services for mothers

A nurse’s job is physically, emotionally and mentally straining. Recognizing that and wanting to give nurses a moment of respite and a place for restoration to continue the lifesaving work they do, ROC Ambassador Kathryn Lizzardo-McPherson, created the first Self-Care workshop for nurses in Belize in July 2017. Kathryn is a Director of Women’s Services specializing in Prenatal and Postnatal Corrective Exercise Specialist and Doula, from —–. In the workshop she taught nurses exercises they can use on and off the job to relieve strains and pains. Some of the exercises include, guided meditation and breathing techniques, deep relaxation, stress coping techniques and restorative Yoga. The four nurses that took Kathryn’s session, expressed interest in taking regular sessions. The session was organized by the Nursing and Midwives Council along with Kathryn.  Kathryn plans to document the effects and benefits of these sessions to develop a program to be incorporated into the hospital system to help nurses take care of themselves.

Kathryn is also developing a Prenatal/ Postnatal program that will provide support for women before, during and after birth. Belize has a high rate of Cesarean birth with little information and access for women on how to recover and retrain abdominal muscles after such a major surgery. The prenatal program addresses individual women’s needs on a case to case bases in preparation for birth physically, mentally and emotionally. The postnatal program encourages women to reconnect and rebuild their bodies after birth. Many women benefit from Postnatal Corrective exercise no matter how long it’s been since giving birth. Postnatal exercises help strengthen the pelvic floor, ignite the transverse abdominals to build core strength from inside out, and posture correction. Kathryn’s training as a doula is essential through the process of birth. She provides guidance and support for the mother. Her vision is to have birth sponsors available in hospitals and help prepare mothers for birth and have support and recovery after birth.

Kathryn is also developing a plan for ROC to offer Yoga to seniors.