Biography   Lynette Miya Lynette Miya, Women's Health Nurse Practitioner, is a co-owner of Bright Beginnings & Beyond. The concept of the educational and retail center came about listening to her pregnant and postpartum patients. She consistently heard how they would like a center to go where they could get questions answered as well as meet other new moms. With that in mind and a business plan, Lynette and Dr. Scharffenberger started the store Feb of 2000. Since then the store has been growing every year and offers new mothers non-judgmental support in a comfortable environment. Prior to opening her business Lynette worked at Harbor-UCLA for 15 years in the Women's Emergency Department and Breast Cancer Clinic. She also has worked with Dr Scharffenberger in his private practice office in Torrance.  She continues to do this 2 days a week as well as run and operate the store/education center. Lynette and Dr. Scharffenberger would like to thank each and everyone of you for allowing them into your lives at the most precious and possibly the most vulnerable times in your life. To reach Lynette, please email: Lynette@BrightBeginningsBeyond.com Karen Axelrod, NCTMB, CST A holistic bodyworker specializing in massage, CranioSacral Therapy, SomatoEmotional Release, and lymphatic drainage. She is certified by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork, and she is certified in CranioSacral Therapy by Florida's Upledger Institute. Karen is a graduate of the 500-hour Massage Therapist program at the Institute for Psycho-Structural Balancing (IPSB) in Culver City, and now holds more than 1,000 hours of training in different healing modalities. She is a California state-certified massage instructor and currently is on staff at IPSB, where she teaches their 150-hour Massage Technician training program. Karen also teaches monthly infant massage classes at Bright Beginnings & Beyond in Redondo Beach. She maintains a private practice in Redondo Beach and is a staff therapist at Torrance Memorial Medical Center. Karen works with many chiropractic patients, pregnant women, the elderly, infants, and children. She can be reached at 310-376-0113.   Joan Healy, RN I am a wife, mother, grandmother and certified Childbirth educator through Lamaze International. I have had many years of experience working with parents to be both in the hospital and teaching childbirth classes. My passion for mothers and families gives my clients confidence in their ability to learn new tools for the challenges of childbirth. I focus on relaxation and empower women to trust their inner wisdom and intuition. My teaching background is long and varied and commended by many physicians and former clients. My goal for couples is to give them the tools to meet the challenges of childbirth and celebrate the beginning of their family. Jenny Jamrog Following the home birth of her son, Tristan, in March 2002, Jenny knew she wanted to share her love of yoga and the wonder of pregnancy & childbirth with other women while providing them a sense of community - a space where they could learn from one another and support one another during this extraordinary time in their lives. Jenny’s Prenatal classes prepare your body, mind, and spirit for your child’s birth – giving the expecting mother the strength, flexibility, and support to carry her and her baby comfortably through pregnancy and childbirth. Benefits can include relief of pregnancy related aches & pains; lessening fatigue and improving sleep; developing intuition and trust; unlocking energy that can guide you through an amazing birth experience and a wonderful new life, and more! Safe and effective exercises and meditations are offered to challenge the whole self. Enjoy this self-nurturing time, all within a loving, supportive community of other pregnant women. Jenny’s Mama/Baby classes provide a friendly, supportive community for you to bond with other mamas and babies while safely and effectively getting your body back into shape, revitalizing your mind and your nerves, and learning to relax and laugh. Also spend some time dancing with your baby and guiding the babies into doing a little yoga of their own! Dads and other family & friends are invited, too! Her classes accommodate both the new & experienced yoga student. Jenny has been practicing & studying various schools of yoga with some of the most well respected yoga teachers – including prenatal yoga guru, Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa. She also has a vast knowledge of childbirth education and infant care, including certifications in the Bradley Method and Infant Massage & Communication Instructor Training -Foundation for Healthy Family Living- with trainer Kalena Babeshoff. Jenny is also trained in First Aid & CPR and spent 7 years as a Water Safety Instructor and swimming instructor to toddlers, children, and teens. She carries a BS in Biology from the University of Scranton, as well as minors in Education, Chemistry, Health Administration, and English. She enjoys using her knowledge of Anatomy & Physiology in combination with her yoga practice, and frequently shares this during instruction- explaining the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual benefits of specific exercises and meditations. Jenny’s local classes include: Prenatal Yoga (the Khalsa Way), Mama/Baby Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Indigo Yoga (children ages 3 & up), and Isty Bitsy Yoga™ (yoga for babies from birth to 24 months with their caregiver). Jenny is also experienced in teaching Restorative Yoga and Yoga to Seniors. Ellie Shea,RN, Birth Educator and DONA Doula Trainer Ellie has over 30 years experience educating and supporting expectant couples in the South Bay. She is a Certified Hypnobirthing Educator, trained by founder Marie Mongan. She recently trained with renowned Neonatologist Dr. Frederick Wirth as a Prenatal Parenting Instructor. She and her husband live in Torrance and are the parents of 3 adult sons.