Beating the Baby Blues at Between Mothers

Mom and Baby Yoga with Between Mothers - My Testimony

When I was halfway through my pregnancy with Jace, I started Prenatal Yoga with . My naturopath had suggested starting prenatal yoga, and Between Mothers was recommended to me by a nurse who praised the sense of community at the studio. When I searched for 'prenatal yoga near me', Between Mothers Wellness Centre was the premier listing for prenatal and mom and baby yoga St Catharines.

Prenatal yoga at Between Mothers was half light yoga and exercises to prepare for labour, and half sharing time where you would learn very helpful tips and information from other mothers. Angela, the yoga instructor, is a professional doula and registered nurse, eager to share all her knowledge when it comes to pregnancy and labour.

Throughout my pregnancy, I knew that once my son was born, I would start Mom and Baby Yoga at Between Mothers as early as possible. Here is my testimony about my experience starting Mom and Baby Yoga at six weeks postpartum.

November 2023 - April 2024

It started with the costume party.

Little Jace was only four weeks old when I dressed him in his oversized shark costume and a ridiculous fin hat and took him to Mom and Baby Yoga at Between Mothers for the first time. Angela had allowed me to partake in the last yoga class of the session as it was the Halloween event - the one I’d seen photos of from past years where Angela poses with all the babies in their costumes. No way way I missing that, even though my little neonate was just born in September.

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I remember Jace being passed out like a sponge on my chest when all the older babies played with toys, rolled over, and some were almost crawling. I’ll never forget how small he looked in Angela’s arms with the bright-eyed babies in their fancy costumes.

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We started the next session of Baby and Mom Yoga two weeks later, when he was just six weeks old. We were by far the youngest of the group. Most of the girls had done the last session together and had babies around four to five months old, born in June or July. Some of the girls I remembered being the 30+ weeks pregnant girls when I started prenatal yoga in the Spring.

I was so nervous when we started to attend. Jace hadn’t been a sleeper during the day, and his constant crying and sudden outbursts made me worried I’d be judged by the more seasoned mothers. Over the following weeks, I learned him more, understood his hunger cues and needs, and became more comfortable bringing him to yoga. I was happy to socialize and so was Jace. I noticed him come out of his shell from a clueless newborn, into a curious little infant that wanted to do what the older babies could do.

I felt a strong sense of support as I struggled with breastfeeding, and felt validated as I learned I wasn’t the only one. The welcoming community, fostered within the weekly discussion and sharing time, made me feel more at ease in a group setting with my new baby.

I will admit, I did feel a little out of place at times, being new to the established group of second-timers (their second session of Mom and Baby Yoga together) and having a younger baby. I also struggled with postpartum blues and l desperately wanted to create friendships outside of class.

It wasn’t until I was invited to a Christmas party at one girl’s house that my postpartum blues seemed to disappear. Jace and I were invited with the other Moms and Babies to a potluck a few days after the last yoga class of the session. I’ll always thank that mother for making me feel so welcome and lifting my spirits. I knew that this close sense of community outside of class was something I hoped to encourage in the upcoming 2024 Mom and Baby session.

In January, the new session brought a new wave of mothers; many had babies a similar age and some I remembered from prenatal yoga in the session leading up to Jace’s birth.

I became close with a few of the moms and we took the initiative to make our class a community and added each other on social media.

Jace and I decided to host a Valentine’s Day play date at our house, like the Christmas one we attended. I invited girls from my past yoga session and the current one as well as a local mum. I tried to invite as many people as possible, in hopes that someone who felt alone, like I had in the past, would feel included.

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Our group started to invite each other on walks after class when we had oddly warm winter days. Jace and I hosted a second playdate for Easter/ his half birthday with an even better turnout of moms and babies.

Then, we started a Facebook group where we could all connect, bringing together girls from past and current yoga sessions.

The strong sense of community we built over the yoga sessions since the start of 2024 has transformed my experience as a mother. I’ve felt like I’ve made real friendships and felt validated through all the challenges early motherhood brings.

Most of all, I owe my happy, social, charming baby boy’s personality to enrolling him in yoga at such a young age. Everyone who meets Jace comments on what a bright and happy baby he is. Mom and Baby Yoga was incredible for his development. He challenges himself to reach new milestones, interacts with everyone, and always has a smile on his face.

To the Mommies just starting out Mom and Baby Yoga, I encourage you to connect with other moms outside of class, invite them to your house, even if it’s not tidy, go for walks whenever the sun is shining, and always invite the quiet or new person in the corner… a small conversation or a casual invite could change someone’s life forever.

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