Toronto Fit City Guide Reviews Our Prenatal Massage

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