Category: Community

15 Reasons To Love Having A Toddler (No Really)!

10/9/2018

When you become a Mama for the first time, your life is quickly consumed by all things Baby; the softest blankies, the tiniest onesies, the sweetest snuggles. The early days aren’t without their challenges, however every parent has wished their Bundle of Joy could stay little forever, at least once. They say that ‘time flies’, and never will this feel more true than when you’re a parent! Before you know it, your sweet Baby is babbling their first words and tottering around the house—then, suddenly and without warning… your Baby turns two! Ready or not, you’re launched into full-blown toddlerhood (queue grocery store meltdown over sugar frosted cereal).

Toddlers are a busy bunch with the uncanny ability to detect unwanted vegetables buried deep in their pasta dishes, and an affinity for responding “NO!” to your best intended directions—sigh. Although parenting a Little between the ages of 18 months and 3 years can be exhausting, there’s plenty to love about this phase. Whether you’re anticipating Baby’s 2nd birthday, or mothering an active youngster already, we have a list of 15 reasons to love having a toddler. In fact, we’ll go so far as to say that, with the right mindset, you may want to rename these years the “terrific twos”!

Swiping through dozens (ok, hundreds) of photos on your phone and seeing how much your sweet baby has grown.
Complaining about how heavy they’re getting and then feeling thankful you can still scoop them up for a cuddle.
Embracing the chance to be really silly again. Wear socks on your ears and oink like a pig, no one’s judging.
Re-discovering your favorite childhood books. “Guess How Much I Love You”—forever a classic.
Secretly loving Netflix Kids because some of the shows are actually really entertaining.
Treasuring the moment your first hear the words "I love you, Mama" (cue the waterworks!)
Marveling at the little person you’ve created—unique, independent, and willful!

8. Having the honor of translating their adorable toddler-talk to other adults. “Buebuebue” (blueberry), not to be confused with “Bahbahbah” (butterfly).

9. Seeing cute pairs of sandals, Converse, and rubber boots lined up in the hall—How can such a tiny person need so much footwear!

10. Connecting with another Mama during play dates, while your Little Ones keep each other busy.

11. Joining in sensory play like squeezing playdough, crunching through fallen leaves or splashing in puddles.

12. Shouting “Hooray!” as you watch your Little One goes down the park slide solo for the first time. (No more dirt on your pants Mama, now that’s something to celebrate!)

13. Trying to answer tough questions such as: Do fish sleep? Why is the sky blue?

14. Watching them mimic your daily tasks, such as typing emails or sipping coffee, as they try to be just like Mama.

15. Throwing a fun 2nd Birthday party with a theme you love! Mermaids, unicorns, dinosaurs, we think it’s Mama’s choice (especially if you’ll be prepping all the decorations!)

The toddler years can be a real test of parental grit, but every Mama & Papa will agree that watching their baby grow into a proper kid, with no shortage of opinions and personality, is truly amazing. Never again will you witness your Little One go through such dramatic physical and cognitive change as they learn to walk, speak, and find their place in this world. Focus on the magic as your tottering two-year-old experiences all of life’s ‘firsts’. Your child is only a toddler once so enjoy this season of their lives to the fullest!

12 Bedside Essentials for an Easier Postpartum

6/11/2018

By: Rebecca Brunette

Look to social media and the glamours of pregnancy and motherhood are endless! Mamas-to-be glow with anticipation for their Little One’s arrival, and new mothers snuggle their sleeping 3 month olds while sipping herbal tea. But rarely do we see photos of Mama and Baby during the first weeks postpartum—that’s because Mama is usually in bed, exhausted, and un-showered. We live in a society that holds little appreciation for rest & recovery, but if there is ever a time to slow down and take care of yourself, it’s during your postpartum journey! We’ve put together a list of 12 essentials to keep next to your bedside as you recover from delivery and navigate the first weeks of Motherhood. So stay in bed, get comfy, and focus on caring for your newborn without sacrificing your own comfort and wellbeing!

1. Good Reads
New babies sleep often throughout the day, which will give you a chance to indulge in your favourite magazine or book. You might also like to keep a Baby Book handy, so you can record these sweet early moments together—but don’t forget to fit a nap in yourself!

2. Swaddling Blanket
Perfect for wrapping Baby when he/she needs comforting, or as a light blanket in warmer weather. If you’re planning to breastfeed, a muslin cloth can also be draped over your chest if you prefer to cover up when visitors drop by.

3. Burp Cloth
Your newborn will want to eat every 2-3 hours, and it’s good practice to give them a gentle burp after every feed to prevent a gassy tummy later on. Save yourself a ton of laundry (and multiple wardrobe changes) by using a burp cloth!

4. Medications
Postpartum recovery often comes with bed rest and a pain management plan recommended by your doctor or midwife. Keeping daily medications and vitamins close-by will ensure you remember to take them as prescribed so you stay as comfortable as possible while you recover.

5. Healthy Snacks
In your first weeks of Mama-hood you will be so focused on nourishing Baby it can be easy to forget about feeding yourself! In the event that mealtimes are less than regular, be sure to keep a handful of healthy snacks at your side such as fruit, granola bars, and snack bites.

6. Breast Pads
It can take your body a while to regulate the quantity of milk it needs to produce to feed your baby. It’s normal for New Mamas to have leaky breasts, and no one wants to sit around in wet clothes! So, if you’re planning to breastfeed, save your bras and clothes from soaking through by using breast pads.

7. Facecloths
A little stack of clean, soft facecloths are ideal for wiping Baby’s cheeks when he/she spits up. Dampen with a little water to clean your Little One’s face in between bath days.

8. Gum
Between feeding, changing, and rocking your newborn around the clock, you can expect a few of your usual self-care routines to fall by the wayside. Not only is it normal to miss a shower or two, but you may also forget to brush your teeth! Keep gum handy to instantly freshen your breath—perfect for when visitors drop by.

9. Phone
Even self-proclaimed introverts and homebodies can find the early weeks of motherhood lonely. Make sure you have your Mama community to lean on by creating a group chat before your babies arrive. You’ll be glad to know you’re not the only one awake during those 2:00 AM feedings!

10. Water Bottle
Keep your favourite water bottle next to your bed to ensure you stay well hydrated. Drinking enough water will help revive you on sluggish days.

11. Nipple Balm
Sore, sensitive nipples are common for breastfeeding Mamas in early postpartum (as if there weren’t enough hurdles to climb!). Do your best to prevent more serious damage by applying a nipple balm a few times throughout the day.

12. Lip Balm
Sometimes a swipe of your favourite lip balm is all it takes to feel a touch of pampering! Choose a flavour that makes you smile, and enjoy the thought that Baby will associate your fragrance of choice with your tender Mama kisses!

Caring for your newborn will be one of the most challenging and beautiful tasks you undertake as a new Mama. Not only are you recovering from the delivery of your baby, but you are also learning what it means to be a mother (and there’s no handbook for that!). A little pre-planning for your personal wellbeing in the weeks following Baby’s arrival will help you feel as relaxed and comfortable as possible throughout your unique postpartum journey. Good luck Mama!

I Have Completed My Postnatal Yoga Training, Now What?

6/10/2018

So you've taken our Postnatal Yoga Teacher Training Course. It was a fun weekend, and yes you've learnt so much - but now what?

What happens after you leave our studio with your beautiful new qualification?

Since we announced the Toronto postnatal yoga training we have been chatting with tons of ladies about their participation in the training and the questions we hear the most often are...

What will I do after my postnatal yoga training? How do I get a job? What else can I do?

For starters - come work with us! Our yoga studio is growing and we would be excited to have new amazing postnatal yoga teachers to join our team. Please email our Teaching Lead Jane to learn more.

What else can you do? SO MUCH! Check out the list of amazing things previous Postnatal Yoga Teacher Training graduates have done:

Started teaching private postnatal yoga classes
Started teaching postnatal yoga in a public studio
Decided to become a birth doula or postpartum doula
Used their their new knowledge to enrich their existing doula practice
Went on to take their pretnatal yoga training
Had a richer post-birth experience to share with mothers
Opened up their own yoga studio
Took additional classes to further their education

Thank you so to all the women who attended this year's training. We hope your new qualification will take you on a journey filled with fun, love and peace. Learn more about our professional trainings here.

Toronto Fit City Guide Reviews Our Prenatal Massage

4/19/2018

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

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15 Reasons To Love Having A Toddler (No Really)!

12 Bedside Essentials for an Easier Postpartum

I Have Completed My Postnatal Yoga Training, Now What?

Toronto Fit City Guide Reviews Our Prenatal Massage

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