 After visiting us not long ago, Tabitha Vallierie Creator of Fit City Guide came back to the Toronto Yoga Mamas' studios to enjoy and review one of our Prenatal Massages and to discuss her views on self love. Guest Written By Tabitha Vallierie From Fit City Guide I’ll dive right to it, I am MIGHTY impressed with Toronto Yoga Mamas, which is apparent given the fact that I’m rating it FIVE PINEAPPLES! what what. I was delightfully surprised when I experienced the chic, bright, and {cool} modern space. The vibe that the staff have created is so confidently chill – it’s obvious they know what they’re talking about but with a ‘go-with-the-flow’ approach. Which I really appreciate, because this [prenatal] stuff can be overwhelming. With a massive pre and postnatal wellness centre that includes everything from acupuncture, chiro, massage, holistic nutrition, pelvic floor physio and naturopathic medicine, to education classes to doula’s, this is more like an all-knowing, one-stop-shop, that’s-not-your-hospital-hub of mum and baby info. And they’ve thought of everything, from stroller parking to childcare to yoga mats being included so you don’t have to worry about bringing that too (bc that’s too hard when you’re about to pop and/or have a newborn. Honestly.) The 40+ women who run this amazing facility have got your back, and your belly, ha. 5 pineapples all. the. WAY.  In addition to fitness classes that I have reviewed here, Toronto Yoga Mamas provides a suite of other courses and services. From mama groups like Baby Sign Language (I know, this is adorable and I should defs sign-up for it) to access to doula services, to a full wellness centre that specializes in care for pre and postnatal chiro, massage, acupuncture, holistic nutrition, naturopathic medicine and even pelvic floor physio (which is a major thing you need PS). They have truly covered all bases to make sure this is a one-stop centre of education and support.  We were lucky enough to enjoy their prenatal massage services. If you haven’t had a massage so far in your pregnancy, DO IT, it will be a huge lifesaver because the extra stress your low back, feet, hips, and midback are under deserves the TLC. You can book prenatal, postnatal, deep tissue and aromatherapy massages in 30, 45, 60, and 90 minute sessions – which can all be claimed through your health coverage by the way. There are five registered massage therapists to book with and we had Melanie Gillians and she was faaaaantastic. She focused on improving my circulation, and relieving my headaches and hand and arm swelling bc apparently preggo carpal tunnel can be a thing (so fun) and this massage helped relieve this for days. The treatment rooms are on the first floor behind the sign-in desk and the vibe blends in perfectly with the rest of the bright yet calming decor, PLUS they finish your services giving you fresh lemon water and an orange. I mean, the details.  There's such a movement right now with self love and self care, isn't there and I LOVE that it's a conversation getting the attention it deserves. My philosophy is that it's a MUST. It's actually something I've been thinking about in terms of planning for my postnatal recovery. Already, my mind is miles ahead of my body. I want to be able to dive right back into life and not feel frustrated that I can't tick things off my to-do list as quickly as I could before, but there are SO many things going on with my body that I need need, need to listen to and slow it down. I think self-care is all about listening to my body, my mind and what I really need - whether that's taking 5 minutes to stretch, meditate, snack on snap peas instead of Pringles, decline some social requests, or put mascara on even if I'm at home all day because it makes me feel just a LITTLE put together, and I'll be a better wife, friend, mother, everything if I put self-care at the TOP of my priority list. I appreciate how much of a challenge that really is - but I believe to my core how important it is to my happiness. So if you are looking to get in on a little self love, Yoga Mamas is truly a wonderful experience for anyone {Mama or not} and is unlike any other. Read All About Tabitha's Prenatal Yoga Class Experience Here 
Last week Yoga Mamas' Naturopathic Doctor, Dr. Shannon Vander Doelen wrote about the 5 best ways to naturally and safely detox the body if you are pregnant or trying to conceive. This week Dr. Shannon took to Facebook to further discuss the most commonly asked questions from women who are looking to start a family or are newly pregnant.
 Congratulations Mama, you’ve almost reached the finish line! The third trimester of pregnancy can be full of mixed emotions—the excitement of meeting your new baby, the fear of being a first-time parent, the bittersweet knowledge that your pregnancy is coming to an end—that said, this is the perfect time to turn to your yoga practice for affirmation and grounding. Today we’re sharing six yoga poses, which are ideal for women in their 3rd trimester. In addition to your mat, you may like to have two blocks or a stool on hand, as well as a bolster or 2-3 pillows. If you’re not yet in your 3rd trimester, check out our prior posts featuring poses for your 1st trimester and 2nd trimester.  Goddess Pose Although the final months of pregnancy may have you feeling anything but divine, a little time spent in Goddess Pose will light a strengthening fire in your legs, and help you to harness the maternal vibrations of birthing women everywhere! Goddess is a powerful pose, which builds strength, challenges the mind, and opens the hips. Step your feet wide along the length of your mat, toes pointing outwards. Bend your knees, making sure they don’t overpass your toes, and let gravity guide your tailbone downward. Place your arms anywhere they feel comfortable; resting on your thighs, in a prayer, or palms turned upward. Stay low in this pose for 5-7 cycles of breath, before straightening your legs and gently stepping your feet together. Tip: Bring a swaying side-to-side motion to your Goddess Pose in order to cope with the challenging stance. This movement is also a great tool to use during labor!
Squat Time to move a little deeper with another hip opening pose! Squatting not only strengthens the pelvic floor, but it also offers you the chance to experiment with this pose as a birthing position. [Note that if you are over 30 weeks pregnant and your baby is in breech position, you should omit squatting from your practice.] Step your feet a little wider than hip distance apart, with toes pointed slightly outwards. With your hands in a prayer, breathe in and, as you breathe out, draw-up through your pelvic floor. Keeping your pelvic floor engaged, bend your knees and let your hips lower towards the earth (Use a block for added support). Stay low in this pose for 5-7 cycles of breath before bringing your hands to the ground for support and gently straightening your knees and torso. Tip: Using your breath as a guide, try engaging and releasing the muscles in your pelvic floor while maintaining the squat.  Bridge Pose Between a growing baby, a placenta, amniotic fluid, and additional water retention throughout the body, your pelvis and lower back are bearing quite a load! Bridge Pose elevates your hips, temporarily alleviating pressure in the pelvic bowl. From a lying position with fingertips reaching towards your feet, bend your legs and ground the soles of your feet close to your seat at hip-width apart. Slowly lift your hips by rolling through your spine, one vertebra at a time. Imagine your spine is creating a long line extending from your thighs all the way to your shoulders. Enjoy 3-5 cycles of breath before slowly lowering your hips back to the mat. Tip: For a more supportive version of this pose, use a block or a stack of pillows under your seat to support the weight of your hips.  Wide Legged Child Pose Long before you settle into Savasana, a balanced yoga practice will include opportunities to pause and recoup your energy. Not only is Child’s Pose especially beneficial in your prenatal practice, but it’s also a great position for resting in between contractions during labor! From a kneeling position, bring your toes to touch and separate your knees slightly wider than your mat. Place a bolster or stack of pillows on the mat in front of you and slowly lower your torso. Your head and chest should be completely comfortable and supported by the pillows, leaving ample room for your belly. Relax your arms on either side of the pillows and enjoy 6-8 cycles of breath before pushing yourself back up to a seated position. Tip: Halfway through the pose, turn your head to rest on the opposite cheek in order to achieve a balanced stretch through your neck and shoulders.  Legs Up The Wall Getting your pregnant body into this pose requires some (less than glamorous) maneuvering—however, once you’re in it, you’ll want to hang out all day! Resting with your legs up the wall allows gravity to assist blood flow back to your heart and is known to reduce swelling in the feet and ankles. Place a bolster, pillow, or folded blanket against the wall. Sitting to the left of your props, stack your knees to the left and scoot your bottom as close to the wall as possible. Gently lower your body to lie on your left side, then roll your bottom onto your props! You will likely have to shimmy your booty back until it touches the wall. Extend your legs up at about hip distance apart, and relax. Rest here for 6-8 cycles of breath before rolling onto your left side and pushing yourself back to a seated position. Tip: If you’re finding it difficult to release all tension from your legs, try bending your knees away from one another and bringing the soles of your feet to touch just above your hips.  Savasana I (On Your Side) Final resting pose—everyone’s favourite! This side-lying version of Savasana is a classic position for prenatal yoga practice and another great option for relaxation between contractions during labor. From a seated position, gently lower your body, coming to lie on your left side. Place a bolster or pillow in front of your hips. Keeping your left leg extended along your mat, bend your right knee and rest your leg on your prop. Place a pillow under your head and make any other small adjustments necessary before settling into stillness. Give yourself permission to relax here for 5-10 minutes. Tip: Ask your doula or birth partner to give you a massage while you rest. Be sure to let them know of any achy areas that need special attention.  Savasana II (On Your Back) Some Yoga Mamas prefer to lie on their back for Savasana—and the good news is it can be done safely with a few adjustments. Although lying flat on your back for prolonged periods is bound to cause discomfort under the weight of your belly (in addition to reducing blood flow to Baby), keeping your torso on an incline feels perfectly comfortable. Prepare two blocks in an “L” shape on your mat (as shown), and then lay a bolster on the blocks (you can also use a generous stack of pillows). Sit with your bottom at the edge of the props. Bring the soles of your feet together, and let your knees fall outwards. Gently lower yourself back on the incline, feeling fully supported by your props. Give yourself permission to relax here for 5-10 minutes. Tip: For even deeper relaxation, cover your body with your favourite blanket, and place an aromatherapy eye pillow over your eyes for the duration of the pose. This is it Mama, the home stretch! It won’t be long before your bun-in-the-oven is snuggled within your arms. We hope your prenatal yoga practice has been a way for you to strengthen your body, connect with your baby, and honour this phase of Motherhood. Light and love be with you on the rest of your journey! Find out which yoga poses are ideal for your 1st trimester and 2nd trimester. 
 Guest Written By Tabitha Vallierie, Creator of Fit City Guide I’ll dive right to it, I am MIGHTY impressed with Toronto Yoga Mamas, which is apparent given the fact that I’m rating it FIVE PINEAPPLES! what what. I was delightfully surprised when I experienced the chic, bright, and {cool} modern space. Feeling a tad insecure that it would be obvious I was new, I was immediately greeted with so much kindness as the reception staff gave me the run-down and personal tour of the whole place. Which is a lot because there’s a lot happening here. The nuts of it is, Toronto Yoga Mamas isn’t just a specialized yoga studio, it’s an incredible source for trying, new and expecting mums (especially first timers that have no idea what they’re doing – exhibit A). With a massive pre and postnatal wellness centre that includes everything from acupuncture, chiro, massage, holistic nutrition, pelvic floor physio and naturopathic medicine, to education classes to doula’s, this is more like an all-knowing, one-stop-shop, that’s-not-your-hospital-hub of mum and baby info. And they’ve thought of everything, from stroller parking to childcare to yoga mats being included so you don’t have to worry about bringing that too (bc that’s too hard when you’re about to pop and/or have a newborn. Honestly.) The 40+ women who run this amazing facility have got your back, and your belly, ha. 5 pineapples all. the. WAY. Classes at Yoga Mamas
Toronto Yoga Mamas specialises in yoga, pilates and barre for expecting and postnatal mama’s – but that’s new. Barre is a new addition and it’s an awesome one because they’ve added both pre and postnatal barre classes this last December due to popular demand. Way to listen to your tribe, guys. There are over nine styles of classes offered in total, some where you bring your baby with you, some without, some that specialize in family, but all that have been very carefully tailored to mums and what her body needs during a significant time of change. All classes include Fertility Yoga (4 week series), Prenatal Yoga, Yoga Babies (between 4 weeks and crawling), Crawlers Yoga (for you and your bub when they start to crawl), Family Yoga (4 week series), Vinyasa Yoga (Candlelight, Flow, and Energising Flow), Pilates Babies (between 6 weeks and crawling), Barre, and Barre Babies (between 4 weeks and crawling). It’s important to note that although 95% of this studio is heavily geared towards mama’s, many of the classes such as Yoga Babies and Crawlers Yoga are appropriate and encouraged for papa’s, nannies, and any caregiver looking after baby and it’s a great chance for, not only a workout, but bonding time. Awww. As far as prices, TYM is on the top-end for what we’ve seen in Toronto for drop-in yoga prices, however with it being so specialized and the abundant extra services that are provided (including complimentary mats, towels and all gear), we think it’s well worth the extra pennies so we’re still giving full fruits. Also, if purchasing a monthly Mama Pass, per class rates drop to $13.50 if going a minimum of twice a week. Unlike many studios that have prenatal programs, it’s not necessary to lock-into a set term. You can just drop-in for classes whenever suits you, provided you sign-up online beforehand. That said, they have an awesome deal if you want to commit for a full nine months that includes unlimited yoga, Pilates and barre, 10% off the retail boutique, education, events and workshops, and you can pause the membership when your baby arrives. A couple catches in the fine print though, this pass is only available to purchase in the months of May, August, and December.
 Instructors Toronto Yoga Mamas was first founded by Jamie Kalynuik in 2012, as she wanted to create a community where women can learn, nurture and connect with each other through their birthing journeys and into motherhood. As a doula first, she feels strongly about creating a supportive, safe and confident environment throughout pregnancy and after birth. The extensive team that Jamie has created since opening TYM doors over five years ago, is one of the most impressive rosters of strong, powerful and supportive women that we’ve come across. With over 10 staff members in the Wellness Center, 12+ yoga, barre and Pilates instructors, 11+ doula’s, and a supporting staff of eight people to run it all smoothly, this massive team of 40+ is knowledgeable, nurturing and supportive in everything from fertility, pregnancy, birth, parenting, child care and mamma self-care. Every person we’ve interacted with are mothers themselves so they speak from personal experience, which can be incredibly helpful. Joana Peixoto I took Joana’s 8:15pm Wednesday pre-natal yoga class and I loved everything about her teaching style. She’s been teaching vinyasa yoga in Toronto for over six years and her background is in ashtanga, iyengar, restorative and pre and postnatal – this mama knows. Her approach is welcoming and approachable but very educational at the same time, which is a nice mix because I know I was soaking up literally everything she was saying about what our bodies go through during and after pregnancy but I didn’t feel like a dumb-ass for not knowing about it. This was actually my first specifically pre-natal fitness class and I could immediately tell the difference in the teaching methods and in the flow of the class, which I’ll get to later. Every movement Joana walked us through was catered to the eight of us and she explained why. She started with showing us how to massage our own feet in areas we need it most (arch of your foot gets crunchy because it represents your intestines that get super squished #reflexologyforthewin) and we focused mostly on hips and glutes because that’s the safest thing for all of us to challenge no matter what stage of pregnancy we’re in. Joana would demonstrate most exercises to start and then she would spend the rest of the time walking the room to adjust our form or the movements if people’s bumps were in the way. The entire class felt incredibly tailored, yet not easy. She still challenged us and found the fine balance of knowing when to push us further to maximize our strength and heart-rate but in a way that was completely safe.
VibeTYM studio space is very bright, feminine, and calming. The vibe that the staff have created is so confidently chill – it’s obvious they know what they’re talking about but with a ‘go-with-the-flow’ approach. Which I really appreciate, because this stuff can be overwhelming. I went in the evening so the tranquil atmosphere was turned to the max with the lights dimmed and the candles lit – which is pretty on-point considering how desperately most mamas really need a place to zen. When walking in the doors, there’s a sizeable shoe storage area/coat rack to your right and a chic lobby to your left. In the middle of the lobby is the sign-in desk that’s surrounded by their Mama Retail Boutique stacked with carefully curated feminine extras – everything from candles, to make-up bags, to scarves, cute mugs, books, you name it – you’ll want to buy it. Easy to drop a few bucks here. Past the main lobby is the Baby Boutique, which is an adoooooorable extension of the same beautifully curated selection of trendy products, and the entrance to their Wellness Centre which includes 4 treatment rooms. The two large practice rooms are located upstairs and they’re made unique with their decor, which includes upside down balloons hanging from the ceiling and tassel draping. Right now anyway, they switch it up every now and again. Something I REALLY loved; our mats and yoga station were set up for us in the studio when we arrived – a considerate detail that was not overlooked – and with eight of us in the class, we felt nicely spaced out. Outside the practice rooms is a lemon water station, a herbal tea station and a library where you can borrow any book for a months time. Read More Fitness Reviews At Fit City Guide |
Services |
ABOUT US |
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