Who better to ask about pregnancy and infant massage than two female registered massage therapists with a gaggle of children between them who own one of Toronto's top clinics? Helen Milic and Lisa Macchia are the owners of Bayview Sheppard RMT and know the benefits to mother and baby through their own experiences as well as through the feedback from the countless moms and moms-to-be they have helped over the years.
The clinic offers services for a woman at any stage of her pregnancy, and always works within her comfort levels. Helen and Lisa explain there are a multitude of benefits to a woman as she progresses through her pregnancy with massage therapy helping:
A common concern for many expectant moms is how to position themselves comfortably to accommodate their expanding bellies. Some spas and clinics use massage tables with a cut-out for expectant mothers to be able to lie face down but Helen and Lisa do not and offer up the explanation that if pregnant women were meant to lie on their tummies they would. There is a concern that in this position, the weight of the uterus will pull a pregnant woman's abdomen forward putting stress on the lumbar spine and the already loose ligaments of the pelvis and uterus. They suggest a side lying position using two or more pillows thus allowing access to all the muscles in the back. Another option is a semi-seated position using a special wedge pillow allowing the client to lie partially reclined versus flat on her back which may compress blood vessels and cause dizziness. This position allows work on the upper back, shoulders, upper chest, neck and face.
And after birth? Even though many new moms could lie on their bellies, many choose not to due to breast tenderness. At this time it's equally important to be comfortable and alter positions to achieve a beneficial massage. So, if pillows are still needed or if a position needs to be altered, the massage therapist can help a new mom attain the most out of her treatment.
And a relaxed mommy means a relaxed baby right? So why not go the extra step and apply the benefits of massage to your newborn? Infant massage helps babies:
Most importantly, it's a wonderful way to have quality time with your baby and build a strong connection. Contact the clinic to learn more about its infant massage group or private classes.
Find Bayview Sheppard RMT at this November's Baby Time Show where they are again offering their Complimentary Pregnancy Massage Therapy Clinic. They have also partnered with Dear-Born Baby offering two massage therapy seminars, an infant massage clinic October 8th and a pregnancy partner massage clinic October 27th.
Top Photo from Flickr CC: gudbjorg_agustsdottir
Bottom Photo from Flickr CC: bodhana mallorca
You know I love it when a company considers the shapes and sizes of all women when it stocks its shelves. Brava Boutique adheres to this principal and has got you covered — your breasts that is — offering a whopping 180 sizes in its Toronto lingerie store. How is that for selection?
Owner Christine Lackan, in the biz for over 20 years, knows a thing or two about bras. She warmly led me through her comfortable and discreet boutique which caters to women of every age and size, including some local celebrities. She and her staff (all certified bra fitters) are very accommodating and knowledgeable about the individual needs of each woman in their care and help find the perfect bra within an extensive range including 30-46 A-I cups and sizes XS-5XL. And even though the majority of women wear the wrong bra size, Christine insists there really isn't a "right size" because depending on manufacturers, materials, fit models used and styles, your size will vary. This is why it comes in handy that all the certified fitters at Brava Boutique really know their products in order to select the best fit for each customer.
After Christine brought me a variety of bras — all fitting much better than the one I showed up in — I settled upon the lacy black Thalia bra by Empreinte. But sexy and comfortable? Yes it was! I particularly love that some styles allow for sweet jewellery-like embellishments. A girl needs a little extra bling every now and then. I also developed a fashion crush for Empreinte when I learned that its flagship L' Atelier Lingerie close to the Place Verdôme in Paris, carries a vast size selection while offering a very personalized service with the ability to make each bra as unique as each customer that walks in the door. Bras are personalized in a glass sewing atelier in the centre of the shop with trinkets, and little accessories. Having been to Paris a couple times and being shut out by the sizing, to be able to return one day and have a true French fashion experience would be ridiculously fun. To have that feeling of fashion inclusion travel across the world to my Toronto shopping experience at Brava Boutique is extra special to me, a size 14 woman.
Thalia bra by Empreinte at Brava Boutique
I wear comfy bras much more than my sexy ones so rest assured Brava Boutique covers all needs including bras for everyday wear, sports, special occasion, bridal, maternity, and post-surgical. It also carries a vast selection of loungewear, lingerie and supportive swimwear. If you would like to set up an appointment for a personalized fitting, contact the boutique.
Do you ever stumble across something that is like an all-you-can-eat dessert buffet of goodness...only it's totally healthy? This would describe Bellyfit, a unique fitness movement that addresses the needs of a woman's body, mind, spirit, heart and lifestyle - with some serious moves and ultra cool music thrown in. It is the perfect blend of so many great things I don't even know where to begin.
The first half of a Bellyfit class successfully melds together smooth flowing, easy to learn cardio moves that incorporate the fundamentals of belly dance, Bollywood, and African Dance. It will get you sweating and having fun while relieving stress. The second half of the class involves toning, sculpting, and tightening—incorporating moves from Pilates, a deep yet relaxing stretch from yoga and mudra meditation to unify all energy at the end. And it is fun. Serious fun. I don't recall seeing this many happy, glowing faces at the end of a group jog. Have never seen women look this relaxed after jumping off a long line of ellipticals at a crowded, sweaty gym!
Creator Alice Bracegirdle literally created Bellyfit in her tiny apartment out of the need to reclaim her personal power and the need to change her life. In 2003, as a single mother battling depression, exhaustion, and poverty, she saw movement as the release she was looking for. On a cold winter's day, she slipped a CD into her stereo and her body responded to the memory of movement from having been a dancer, fitness instructor, and yoga student. The more she moved and danced, the better she felt. This created in her the need for a form of movement that would allow women to connect to their feminity and their strength physically, emotionally, spiritually and mentally like she had done. Her aim has been to create a fitness experience that blends the power and wisdom of ancient cultures with the research, technology and trends of the modern world. Music is a key part of this experience and all music used in classes and in products is created by DJ Rowan Sentesy. He combines ethno-infused techno, tribal rhythms, and relaxing ambient tracks for a sound unique to Bellyfit. It is completely soothing yet invigorating at the same time.
New instructors are being trained across the world on a consistent basis and there are now classes available in every province across Canada. Classes are rooted in cultural diversity and are open to all shapes, sizes, ages, and abilities so if concerns were holding you back from starting a workout or you wanted to try something totally new, this could be the right fit for you. Visit Bellyfit to find a class in your area and if there isn't one there yet, you might want to look into purchasing Bellyfit Elements, a series of videos available on DVD or download including very different sessions under the headings Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Spirit. And if you would love to experience this positivity on a larger scale, plans are underway for the next Bellyfit Conference to take place in Victoria, BC September 26-28, 2014, bringing together over 400 instructors and participants from around the world for a weekend of holistic health and fitness.
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