 'Everything you need- your courage, strength, compassion and love; everything you need is already within you.' We're ending March with a full moon. What do your affirmations for the new month look like? Look within and choose yourself while you reflect on what you want to bring into April with you. The events and workshops we are offering this month aim to educate and empower you to be the best version of you for yourself, and your little one. Get to know more about what's happening in the studio by peeking through the links below. We hope to see you soon, Mama. Have a happy and beautiful April!  Special Guest Contributor Tabitha Vallierie from Fit-City Guide We recently sat down with Fit City Guide founder {and beautiful mama-to-be}, Tabitha Vallierie, to learn more about her growing company, her growing belly, and how pregnancy has changed her own health and fitness routines. Keep reading for the inside scoop! What is your favourite thing about what you do for Fit City Guide? That's actually such a hard question, because I love EVERYTHING about what we do! But if I absolutely HAD to pick, it would be getting to know the students and instructors of the studios we review- there are so many amazing fitness entrepreneurs, experts and overall fabulous "fitties" in these cities! I love getting to know the stories of these people, and understanding how fitness and fitness classes play a role in their lives. I find diving into what people are looking for so interesting because it's so different for everyone and people have different expectations of classes, studios and workouts. I also just love getting out there and supporting these incredible businesses and teachers. The network of people I've come across through doing this really is one of the most supportive ones I've experienced. How has your fitness regime changed since becoming pregnant? Well, I've had to tone it back and listen to my body instead of my head. I'm normally all about a big, sweaty workout and from about the middle to end of my second trimester onwards, my fitness regime has changed from hardcore spin classes, running and boxing to yoga, pilates and barre classes.  What is something that has surprised you in terms of fitness and your pregnancy? Something that surprised me in terms of my fitness regime in my pregnancy was actually that I couldn't run all the way to the end like I thought Charlotte did in SATC (Sex and The City). After about month 5 of my pregnancy, my body physically hit a max speed. I'm sure it's different for everyone, but my body wasn't havin' it, so speed walking became a thing. What is your best advice for a mama-to-be on how she can continuously work out throughout her pregnancy? Stay moving - even if it's just a little bit, everyday! I've found that on days that I was too busy or feeling ill and had a very sedimentary day, I would feel worse that day and even on the following day. I would recommend trying to do anything between at least a 10-minute yoga sequence before bed to going for a walk with your partner. Whatever it is, just moving and staying limber is my biggest piece of advice. As far as classes, I recommend mixing in prenatal yoga and pilates classes with regular barre classes. Between these three styles of fitness, you'll get a great mix of full-body cardio, be able to tone, and build flexibility with low-impact at a good pace. What is your personal health philosophy? Has this changed since becoming pregnant? My health philosophy (eating and working out) is all about balance and versatility. Variety is totally the spice of life and I think the more you can keep your body guessing and trying new things, the better. It's more fun this way!  What excites you most about becoming a Mama? Loaded question! I'm the most excited to share the world with my new little buddy- it already feels like he's my mini BFF, and experience the world through his fresh, curious, pure and non-judgemental eyes. That was a lot to say in one sentence, so I think a different way to say it is that I'm the most excited about being a mama that gets to learn from him. He's going to be the best. :) Are there any other things you do besides working out, that has helped you throughout your pregnancy? A pregnancy pillow for sleep, a chiropractor that also does active release technique, tons of massages and lots of walking. Eating smaller meals has helped me, especially at certain growth spurt stages. "Teeny tiny snacky" meals every couple hours was the name of the game. Fit-City Guide is a platform run by a group of people, with the intention to help others navigate the incredibly diverse fitness class scene in many major cities. Fit-City Guide seeks to offer an unbiased and authentic breakdown of the spaces and classes they visit.
  Here at Yoga Mamas we offer two robust and unique yoga teacher trainings; The Prenatal Yoga Teacher Training and The Postnatal Yoga Teacher Training. Both programs have been specifically designed for women who want to strengthen their personal practice, expand upon their skills as a yoga teacher, or learn something new and explore alternative career paths. However past students from both programs have told us that the things they found to be most valuable about the trainings were the positive experiences that occurred off the mat and in the classroom, the things they learned that they could take with them well after the training was over. We spoke to a Prenatal Yoga Teacher graduate and member of the Yoga Mamas' Community, Rebecca Brunette, who wrote about the top 4 things she took away from her Yoga Teacher Training at Yoga Mamas.  A Support SystemForget the typical team-building circle, where parties reluctantly share their name and favourite food in order to get to know one another; our PYTT began with a thoughtfully guided ‘Welcome Ceremony’ complete with dimmed lighting and gentle music. Women of different ages and from all over the world were joined together in this sacred space! With a nod to our female ancestors, we honoured each woman’s reason for being present. I could tell we were already embarking on a special journey as a group, rather than individuals. Over the course of the training we ladies developed a real kinship. We shared a lot of laughs and, in true teacher training fashion, the occasional tear. But, what really blew me away was that this tribe of fiercely supportive women stuck together after the training was done. A year later and we’re still reaching out for advice on class themes and music resources, while providing each other with tons of encouragement. Practicing teacher or not, everyone is keeping in touch, and this support has meant the world to me!  ResourcesA common thread among the women in our training, other than a love of yoga, was an interest in health. Woman’s health, nutrition, fitness, phycology, postnatal care; everyone had some background in or curiosity for human wellbeing. It was incredible to experience prenatal yoga alongside women with expertise in so many different areas! Not only did their expertise add a lot of depth to the content I was learning, but it’s also continued to be an incredible resource for me. Since yoga is considered a wellness offering, students often ask their teachers for recommendations for alternative caregivers and specialists. It’s great to have a trusted community at your fingertips that you can refer your students to, especially one that shares an understanding of yoga. Massage therapists, Chiropractors, and Pelvic Floor Specialists all compliment a healthy yoga practice. I for one have been seeing my massage therapist on a more regular basis, which keeps me in-tune with my muscular health, not to mention extremely relaxed!  Respect & AdmirationWho really sits around contemplating the miracle that is birth? Certainly not me, and I was pregnant at the time! Up until the training, delivery seemed miles away. I had an over-simplified concept that delivering a baby would just sort of happen to me. Toss me in a yoga training that was all-things-pregnancy and boy was I surprised to find out how varied and unique the birth experience is to every woman. Some women want to deliver in the comfort of home, others wouldn’t dream of being anywhere but a trusted hospital. There are women who choose to give birth vaginally, those who prefer to book a C-Section, and those who medically have no choice. These choices are laced with emotional and psychological effects, which linger long after the ‘push’ is over; I soon developed a massive respect for each woman’s desire (and right) to choose her own birth experience.  Self LoveOne of the amazing things about practicing empathy for others is that it’s difficult to do without also extending oneself the same courtesy. The Prenatal Yoga Teacher Training taught me to support, encourage, listen to, and appreciate other women, and I realized that I deserved this kind of radical love from myself! Over time — and with continued practice — I’ve learned to be kinder to myself; more patient and nurturing. To focus on positive internal speech, and to witness the wisdom of my body with wonder and awe. Most importantly I’m learning to measure my successes by way of personal growth, rather than comparing myself to any other mama. Admittedly, a competitive spirit can serve you well in other aspects of life and work, but as a prenatal yoga teacher in training, you’d best leave it at the studio door.
 'May every sunrise hold more promise, and every sunset hold more peace.' With the colder days and nights behind us there is an outpouring of light in all areas of our lives. Spring is in the air and now is the time to bloom. Let go of what no longer serves you and allow space for possibility. This season's events and workshops have been built with you, your little ones, and the wellbeing of both of you in mind. Come by for one of the many offerings happening at the studio this season. We hope to see you soon, Mama.
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A Note About yoga Mamas' Cancellation Policies
Please note that we do not offer refunds. Each event/course/training/wellness appt has it's own specific cancellation policy which is listed on each registration page. Please take the time to read these in full prior to registering. Each event/appointment that we run is in partnership with a practitioner who is focusing their independent career in pre and postnatal health. This is their beautiful livelihood. This is why we have these policies in place. Thank you very much for your understanding. Jamie Kalynuik, Founder of Yoga Mamas
hello@yogamamas.co | 416-406-0116 | 1402 Queen St E Suite D. Toronto M4L 1C9