Can you introduce yourself?
I am Charlotte Muller, a Fertility Yoga teacher in Paris.
This is a practice initiated in the United States and which I adapted and developed in France. It is a Hatha yoga whose postures are specifically selected to create ease in the lower abdomen, help open the hips and promote the vascularization of the organs of the small pelvis. It has been practiced for 30 years in the USA, and has been the subject of scientific studies, the most well-known of which is that of Harvard University establishing that this yoga multiplies by almost three the chances of success of In-Vitro Fertilization .
How did this desire to teach fertility yoga come about?
I wasn't always a yoga teacher. I was a litigation lawyer specializing in international dispute resolution when I was diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome at age 27. PCOS is the leading cause of infertility in women (about 1 in 5 women). After several failed IVF attempts, I looked for natural methods that could help improve hormonal balance and discovered the study conducted by Dr. Alice Domar at Harvard University, recommending a " mindbody program " before IVF.
How did you experience this announcement? (PCOS)
Pretty bad! After stopping a much-maligned pill (Diane 35) for ten years, I simply wanted to know why my periods weren't coming back. I finally decided to change gynecologists and go to one of the greatest infertility specialists. The diagnosis was almost instantaneous and I wasn't prepared for it at all! It's simple: apart from a short chapter in the high school biology curriculum, young women aren't given enough explanations about what hormones are and what fundamental role they play in their daily lives.
Where did you find the information you needed to understand this syndrome and try to remedy it?
A syndrome isn't a disease; it's characterized by a number of symptoms that can vary from one woman to another. In 2013, when I was diagnosed, there were very few online publications on PCOS. I had to turn to its English acronym PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) to find information. Alice Domar's website advocated starting with a balanced diet rich in plants, while limiting sugar and saturated fat.
What advice would you give to women who suffer from infertility?
I quite like Buddha's adage, " What you think, you become ."
Firstly, I recommend that these women do not spend time on internet forums on the subject, as this fuels anxious thoughts. We must be vigilant, because the feeling of loneliness and incomprehension grows and sets in terribly quickly in PMA , especially if we do not cultivate good thoughts. Far be it from me to advocate the Coué method, which consists of repeating to oneself over and over again that insemination or IVF will work, whatever the cost, because failure would be extremely difficult to experience.
On the other hand, I suggest that my students ask themselves the following question daily: "What small, achievable thing, what small, cultivable happiness, could they agree on to bring themselves joy today?" Concretely, it's good to be active for others, but what have you done for yourself today?
What does holistic beauty mean to you?
I'm convinced that you have to start by taking care of yourself from the inside out, to wear it on the outside. With my hormonal imbalance, I eliminated all beauty products that could disrupt my endocrine system. No more pseudo-magical tensors and blurring creams. I use good quality basics, like the Alaena Eye Contour or the Nourishing Oil with Rose Petals that I love.
My skin feels much better, but it's not just about avoiding hormonal acne. I also notice that the healthier I live (diet, exercise, sleep), the happier I am with quality thoughts.
Conversely, for example, refined sugar, which is known to be addictive and inflammatory, tends to exacerbate my hormonal imbalance and provoke somewhat sad emotions and thoughts in me.
Self-care isn't selfish, you have to take care of yourself on all levels.
A professional encounter that left a mark on/inspired you?
Many! Even with a busy life with a baby, I try to meet lots of inspiring women.
Last year, when I was four months pregnant, I took a week-long women's yoga retreat. Sylvie Ganter, the founder of Atelier Cologne, was one of the participants. I was touched by all her kind advice on pregnancy and her great professional humility. She recently completed Odile Chabrillac's naturopathy training, and it really inspired me. I'm thinking of training there as well next year.
What are your upcoming projects?
I want to democratize Fertility Yoga . So that all women can access it and practice it in rhythm with their hormonal cycle . To do this, I launched my Fertility Yoga TV platform and I offer daily live classes, and VOD. It's very recent, and to show solidarity with all the women whose treatments have been suspended due to COVID-19, the platform is free!
I also organize quarterly yoga retreats. The next one will be in early October in the Basque Country.
What is your mantra?
" What you think, you become, what you feel, you attract, what you imagine, you create. " Buddha
Thanks to Charlotte Lalo Muller for answering our questions.
@lalocharlotte - Fertility Yoga TV
Photos: ©Charlotte Lalo Muller
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