Gene and I went to our first birthing class last night. We're taking Bradley Method classes taught by a woman named Sabine Henrie. She teaches out of her home in Berkeley. It was an awesome first class. There are only two other couples in the class so it feels very intimate.

The classes tend to draw more "crunchy granola" types because it's a method that aims for natural childbirth (sans epidural) but it also teaches what other interventions you can use during labor if medical interventions are necessary.

Sabine's a really nice woman. She's probably in her mid-30's, has two young children, whom she raises with her partner. It was a very welcoming environment. We sat on the floor in a circle, drank tea, ate homemade pumpkin raisin muffins, and talked about the method. The first class was a good introduction and we're looking forward to the next 11 weeks.

On another note, a had a very interesting experience a few days ago. My back has been giving me a lot of pain lately, making sleep a fitful experience most nights out of the week. A woman from our church, Judy, came over to extend her skill as a reiki practitioner and help ease the pain.

I sat on a stool and Judy sat behind me while she laid her hands on my back. The session was about 20 minutes during which Judy's hands didn't leave my back. It was a very gentle experience, and I sensed an electric energy flowing through my spine. I don't know if it's a placebo effect or if the reiki really did anything, but I've been sleeping like a baby for the past few nights.