In honour of the launch of our Holistic Nutrition Program, we sat down with Yoga Mamas' Holistic Nutritionist, Michelle Tirmandi to discuss her health philosophies, life as a Mama and what she loves about her work.
Why did you become a Holistic Nutritionist?
My relationship to food was tumultuous for several years, however when I really began educating myself about holistic nutrition and when I healed my own relationship to food, my entire life changed for the better! I was so passionate about sharing what I learned with other women that I knew I needed to follow my heart and make a career change. At the time I had already completed my teaching degree as well as my psychology degree so it seemed like the perfect fit. Also, after the birth of my daughter Isla in 2016 and reflecting on the role nutrition played in my pre and post natal experience, I decided that I really wanted to focus on helping other mamas with their nutrition.
What do you love most about your job?
Every single day I feel so grateful that I get to work in my passion! I really love connecting to women and creating a plan with them so they can feel good about their nutrition. I also love that I get to be a creative entrepreneur, which is funny because I never thought of myself as a creative person, yet when I’m in the kitchen I feel like I can *make magic happen!*
What do you hope your clients will take away from their time with you?
My mission is to break down the barriers around nutrition. For so many women nutrition feels hard, overwhelming or like it needs to sacrifice, but I really want to show that it doesn’t need to be super complicated or that you need not take an all-or-nothing approach. I want women to feel empowered to make decisions that actually make them feel good, and I want for them to get to a place where they can trust their own bodies.
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Jamie Kalynuik and Holistic Nutritionist, Michelle Tirmandi What's your personal health philosophy?
I believe that every woman is unique and that there isn’t a one size all approach when it comes to nutrition.
I believe we all have a unique story when it comes to our relationship to food and that when we have a healthy relationship to food we can learn to use food as nourishment. I believe in not being perfect (at all!) and that food is meant to be enjoyed. I also believe that health goes far beyond our personal health to also include our emotional and spiritual wellness (ie. your thoughts are equally as important to your health as your green smoothie, if not more important!). How has being a Mama changed your outlook on nutrition?
Now that I have Isla, my perspective on nutrition has shifted in some unexpected ways. I am more conscious of my own relationship to food and I think often about how I can help set the groundwork for her to have a positive body image and relationship to food.
On a more practical level, my perspective on nutrition has changed to be all about simplicity and ease. I now realize how much time children take up! Although I do love spending time in my kitchen, my time is much more limited than it used to be. My hope is to be able to support other busy mamas with simple ideas and inspiration on how they can nourish themselves in a way that provides abundant energy and nutrition. What are you most excited about working at Yoga Mamas?
I am so excited to be a part of the community and to get to know all of the mamas on a personal level :)
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Written by Solmaz, Creator of The Curious CreatureThe best thing I ever did during my pregnancy was spend one night a week in a prenatal yoga class filled with other expecting moms. You see, as my belly grew bigger and bigger I quickly realized the importance of building and maintaining muscle tone to minimize the aches and pains. Not to mention the benefits of stretching, increasing blood circulation and oxygen to Little L, the emotional boost and community building. But having never really practiced, I was a bit hesitant to enrol until my equally-pregnant friend Jazz (aka The Urban Traveler) asked me to join her at Toronto Yoga Mamas. I took that as a sign and, together, we embarked on a prenatal yoga journey — one that had me smiling from ear-to-ear after every class… While there are a gazillion places you could practice prenatal yoga in the city, I’m convinced no one does it better than Toronto Yoga Mamas. That’s because they go beyond offering classes and truly make the space a community for moms. This studio has it ALL — I’m talking massage therapy, pelvic floor physio, info sessions (many of which are free), doula services, dozens of workshops (I went to the baby CPR training and it was fab) etc. etc. They even have the cutest little retail store with the most beautifully-curated baby products… The moment I stepped foot inside the Queen East studio, I knew I was going to love it. There’s just something different about Toronto Yoga Mamas — a warmth radiates through the welcoming space and the smallest of details are considered. It’s like entering a well-loved home. The studio is truly the perfect refuge for some “me time”: think sun-soaked yoga rooms (or candlelit if you go at night like I did) lined with all of the gear you’ll need (mats, blocks, blankets), relaxing music and softly-spoken instructors who guide you through a series of movements that will leave you feeling your very best. Add to this complimentary lemon water and DavidsTea (I always drank a mug during our sessions), a community library where you can borrow parenting books and, most importantly, the loveliest staff who understand exactly what you and your body are going through during pregnancy. Oh, and I hear they also have amazing post-natal services — I was hoping to sign up for the Yoga Babies classes, but time flew by and now Little L is crawling so I’ll have to check out the Crawlers Yoga Class with him. I digress… Back to how incredible Toronto Yoga Mamas really is; they truly gave me exactly what I needed at a time when I needed it most. With a body that was rapidly changing, a mind that wouldn’t stop and a schedule that was bursting at the seams, the prenatal yoga classes at the studio helped me slow down, relax and focus on the beautiful human growing inside me… If you’re pregnant, do yourself a favour and just try ONE class. I guarantee you’ll love every single second and will wonder why it took you so long to join such a phenomenal community of women. Kudos to the founder, Jamie Kalynuik, for creating such an incredible space for moms. The ripples of your passion project are felt beyond the walls of the studio and have filled the hearts of many, big and small. Solmaz is the Creator of The Curious Creature. For articles like this and more, visit The Curious Creator. |
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