It's here at LAST! Today is WellMama!! We can't wait to see all your smiling faces! Come on out to the Firstenburg & play with us! 9AM-1PM!
We stuffed the gift bags last night, and oh wow, you have got to see the treats your local artisans and business-owners have snuck in there for you: free acupuncture sessions, $100 toward chiropractic care, gardening gloves & seeds, hand-made earrings, diaper bag emergency kits, birth & postpartum hot-flash fans, $10 & a free anti-aging facial from Mary Kay, tea & chocolate, more tea, coffee, pens...and more! Y'all are going to be SO excited to see what fun we have in store for you at the festival, too. And the RAFFLE PRIZES! We can't even get into those right now, but they're amazing. Be there or be square! See you soon!
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Today's vendor spotlight is on readySetGROW!!
readySetGROW offers prenatal and postpartum yoga, kids yoga and dance, childbirth education workshops, and more. Specializing in private lessons in-home for late pregnancy/early postpartum women, group classes and workshops are also available and currently held at various studios in downtown Vancouver and Portland. Expect to see more group class offerings in the next 6 months or so. The goal of readySetGROW is to provide support for families through helping them not only develop strength and flexibility, but body awareness both during pregnancy for moms, and after baby arrives for the whole family. That awareness need not end when you leave class but can extend to your every day activities. Another important part of readySetGROW’s mission is community building (and having a whole lot of fun!). It takes a village to raise a child and it takes a tribe to feel supported. Not only does readySetGROW offer knowledge and guidance in healing and healthy physical practices, but through group classes offers a meeting place (or places really) to find your tribe. Current group classes are Prenatal Yoga, Postpartum/Mommy and Me Yoga, and “Multitasking Mama Yoga” for moms who want a regular Vinyasa Yoga practice while their little one romps and plays (crawling up to 4 years). Kids yoga, dance and classes for the whole family will be coming soon! *For more info, to schedule an in-home private, or to see group class schedule visit andreadySetGROW.com Daniele Strawmyre is a transplant from Philadelphia where she worked as a professional dancer and ran her own dance company. Throughout her career, teaching yoga and dance, as well as other fitness and movement modalities was always a large part of her life, with her students ranging in age from toddlers to the elderly. Her focus in teaching has always been in helping people “increase their body intelligence”, making a distinction between giving a class and teaching a class, wanting her students to leave with new understanding of their habitual movement patterns and with tools to improve their posture, awareness and overall sense of well being (and have lots of fun in the process). She helps her students find ways to access their joy through a more self-aware relationship with their bodies and a more fine-tuned mind-body connection. When she became pregnant with her first child, she became more focused on teaching, specifically Prenatal and Postpartum Yoga. There’s something about the magical energy that resides within pregnant women and new mothers that inspired and energized her. She’s received training as a postpartum doula, childbirth educator, and breastfeeding support person through BAI (Birth Arts International); and has done basic and advanced teacher trainings in Prenatal and Postpartum Yoga and Yogaborn Childbirth Preparation classes through Pranakriya School of Yoga Healing Arts. She holds a degree in dance from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I was inspired to create readySetGROW because I wanted to offer a range of services that was a bridge between the adult members in a family on their journey of becoming parents; and the innocence, joy and curiosity of childhood and growing up…because really they’re not so different. We’re always growing, always changing, always developing more fully into the people we were meant to be. I wanted to support women and mothers in late pregnancy and early postpartum because taking care of oneself empowers and enables the caregiver to provide the best care possible, a necessity often overlooked in the months prior to and directly following giving birth where the focus tends to become external and all about baby. I’m a mother of two young children and a dance teacher and Yoga instructor. My first pregnancy was difficult, my son had a number of very serious health issues as a baby, with lengthy hospital stays, and I lost my own mother to cancer the following year. Shortly after losing my mom, we cleaned out her condo in Sarasota, FL. and relocated to the Pacific Northwest to be closer to my partner’s parents. I had spent my entire adult life visiting my mother in her condo in Sarasota and then lived with her intermittently over the last few years of her life to care for her when she was sick. I was flying back and forth as my son’s doctors and therapists were all in Philadelphia and my mother’s doctors (and life) were all in Sarasota. About 5 months after relocating, I gave birth to our second child, a daughter, who is named after my mother. During all of these difficult times, I found some balance, comfort, and a supportive community while teaching yoga at a studio in Philadelphia that focuses on family called Mama’s Wellness Joint. It inspired me to create a similar haven for mothers and their families here, but I’d like to eventually add dance classes, story-times, and other children’s programming. There are so many different ways to parent. All children are different, all families are different and therefore the same things don’t work for everyone…and that is OK. I want my classes to be inclusive, a safe space for all parents, children and families. My perfect client or student is one that can benefit from more body awareness, from support and community in their lives and in their journey as parents and growing, developing humans. Basically anyone. “LOVED Danielle's classes! I took her prenatal class after/during suffering from some sever hip issues while carrying my twins. She was so supportive, caring and FUNNY during class! She had such a great way of helping us all feel like everything we were going through was ok and incorporated support and emotional connection with yoga and movement!” -Diane Williams, mom to Cooper and Madison, Philadelphia, PA For her raffle item, Daniele is offering one in-home or studio private lesson (an $85 value) with 3 personalized instruction cards you can keep at the end. Instruction cards are normally only included in a 3-session package, so this is an extra special treat!). *Can be used for yourself or as a gift. **Makes a great baby shower gift! Check it out! KathlreOur vendor spotlight is on Kathleen, who would rather let her products do the talking! She has been in business since 9/3/2001 and has seen lots of change in the landscape of her business and community since then! She says:"I love the product because it saves time and money in the kitchen. Its backed by a lifetime guarantee, and it's been around forever. Can you believe this month is our 69th Birthday?! Our Products are BPA free, sold worldwide, and even beat the European food and safety standards. The commitment to quality is unmatched." Kathleen supports her community as a member of the MOB NW, a business network that offers a constant source of support and companionship for mothers. Additionally, Tupperware Brands Foundation supports a multitude of causes, like the Boys & Girl's Club of America. In the past five years alone, Hosts and customers have helped raise over $2.4 million for the Tupperware Brands Foundation. Through the sale of designated fundraising items in the catalog and online, as well as rounding up party orders to the next highest dollar, folks can also help to help change lives for the better. For more information about the Tupperware Brands Foundation, please visit https://www.tupperwarebrands.com/csr/tupperware-brands-fund. You can learn more about the products Kathleen carries at her website or on her Facebook page! Check it out! Kathleen will be offering a Kids' Cooking Class at 10:30 AM at WellMama! There is limited space, so be there a bit early! Sign up sheet will be at her vendor space, so look for her bowls & smiling face! Today's spotlight is Nursing Mother's Counsel!
Nursing Mothers Counsel of Oregon (NMC), founded in 1977, is a non-profit organization dedicated to the support, promotion and protection of breastfeeding within our community. NMC is an all-volunteer organization governed by a Board of Directors. The organization provides free prenatal breastfeeding education classes – including teen parent classes – free peer counseling phone support, and little to no-cost breast pump rentals and lactation consultant visits for low income breastfeeding mothers. NMC also offers Workplace Lactation Support Services to businesses and their breastfeeding employees returning to work (learn more about our Workplace program here). NMC is a founding member of the Breastfeeding Coalition of Oregon, a statewide organization linking local breastfeeding coalitions and organizations, healthcare providers, community partners, and concerned citizens to promote breastfeeding statewide. Through this advocacy, NMC was instrumental in passing Oregon’s Breastfeeding and Return-to-Work law, effective January 1, 2008 and subsequently the passage of the 2010 Healthcare Reform Law establishing a national law providing nursing mothers with protections to successfully breastfeed after returning to work. Learn more about NMC on their Facebook page or their website. Today's vendor spotlight is Bella Health and Wellness studio!
Bella is a wellness studio based in Vancouver, WA founded by Dr. Christina Trautman. With an emphasis on women’s health, pelvic floor, pregnancy and postpartum care, this studio practices corrective exercises to help women reach their goals of fitness and well being. The studio is available for private pregnancy and postpartum training and pelvic floor rehabilitation for women suffering from pelvic pain, incontinence, prolapse and many other pelvic floor dysfunctions. The studio's philosophy is using an innovative fitness technique for women preparing for conception, fitness during pregnancy and postpartum exercise. Our hope is to empower each client through exercise and movement providing tools to help you continue exercising throughout your pregnancy, after pregnancy or at any other time. About Dr Christina Trautman: Dr. Christina created Bella Health and Wellness Studio with a desire to treat women dealing with pelvic floor issues as well as helping pregnant and postpartum moms rehabilitate after having babies. he grew up with pelvic floor dysfunction and was treated on/off for several years through pelvic floor rehabilitation will full recovery and balance. She then went to pursue physical therapy school and went on to become a Women's Health Physical Therapist. Through her 7 years as a PT, she has developed the passion and desire to treat women and share her knowledge. She has a passion for women who have pelvic floor dysfunction, who are pregnant or postpartum and want to get back to pre-baby body. Dr. Trautman is a trained Physical Therapist, Certified Women's Health Specialist, Core Rehabilitation Specialist and Fit For Birth Pre- and Postnatal Corrective Exercise Specialist. To learn more, visit their Facebook page, blog, or website! Today's vendor spotlight is on Karen Asbury, LMP of Karen Asbury Integrative Bodywork. Community members are raving about Karen: "She's at the very top of all the many massage therapists I've been to. Karen is a wise old soul with an uncommon healing touch and a thoughtful, nurturing spirit. " "I had debilitating menstrual cramps but ever since receiving treatment from Karen and learning to perform the self-care massage, my cramps are gone. It was life-changing for me."
Karen specializes in women's abdominal health, and massage that is as nurturing as it is restorative. She believes that you deserve the kindness you so freely give to others. Her integrative approach to bodywork involves listening to your unique needs at each visit and customizing a treatment in alignment with your intention. She offers Reiki-infused massage, craniosacral therapy, and the Arvigo Techniques of Maya Abdominal Therapy® as well as a blend of modalities artfully blended to meet your needs. Offering an oasis from your busy life, Karen Asbury Integrative Bodywork offers a space to restore balance and honor the feminine aspects of ourselves so we can be more fully present for those we care about. Her healing studio is a proud partner of “Gift of Lift” which is a local organization collecting bras for girls and women in need, including empowering women globally through entrepreneurship. Karen is passionate about supporting women to achieve optimal health naturally, including avoiding unnecessary surgeries, especially hysterectomy (and healing scar tissue following surgery). *Optimal fertility *Low back pain *Headaches *Stress relief * Digestive concerns Are you thinking this sounds familiar? Learn more or get help with one of those issues by visiting her Facebook page or her website. Or drop by her booth at WellMama! Today's vendor spotlight is Whole Mama ~ Whole Child! Focusing on the dyad of parent & baby can bring much better results than treating one half of the puzzle!
Whole Mama ~ Whole Child offers support for the entire childbearing year, from prenatal chiropractic and therapeutic massage to lactation consulting and pediatric craniosacral therapy. Located in the SweetLight Center, Dr. Amy Watson works directly with IBCLC and LMT Anne Tegtmeier to provide collaborative care under one nurturing roof. Their clients rave about their skilled and gentle care, and their empathetic and understanding approach to wellness. You can learn more about the services they offer on their website, and their Facebook page! Today's spotlight is on Julie Court Jacob of Traveling Julie Photography! They may say a picture is worth a thousand words, but only if that picture is from the skilled hands of a master photographer! Luckily, Julie is that much and more! Traveling Julie Photography specializes in vibrant, natural photography that showcases the love and connection between you and your family! Julie says: "I love to notice and capture those small moments that really show who you are. I offer friendly, full-service photography experience, because I love developing relationships with my clients, and because I feel strongly about creating beautiful printed products that families can enjoy every day for years to come. I donate services and auction prizes to local causes like the PDX Diaper Bank and the Children's Book Bank because community service and giving back are important to me." Julie's booth space will have a table of sample prints/albums, and a photo booth. Get ready for some fun! Julie's raffle prize will be a family photography session! So amazing! Want to learn more? Check out her website, Facebook page, Instagram, or visit her booth at WellMama! Today's vendor spotlight is on Buffy Stinchfield from Pinnacle Women's Therapeutics! Community member are raving about Buffy:
"I could not have gotten through the last few months of my pregnancy nor had near such a successful birth without Buffy on my team. After experiencing the care at Flourish, it would be difficult to go back to another “standard” physical therapy practitioner.” At Pinnacle Women's Therapeutics, we provide hands-on, one on one, personalized care in a private, comfortable setting that will get you better, faster. Our priority is to help you live a healthy, active life and do the things you enjoy the most such as travel or playing with your kids. Buffy Stinchfield is the expert for back and pelvic pain with pregnancy, postpartum recovery, incontinence with exercise and activity, minimizing prolapse, rehab after bladder surgery, and pelvic pain in the Vancouver area. Her comprehensive approach helps patients get better, faster and have better long term success. • Not sure what to do about having a leaky bladder when you exercise or sneeze? • Tired of always mapping out the location of the bathrooms? • Struggling through your pregnancy with back and or pelvis pain? • Dealing with pubic symphysis or sacral pain? • Frustrated with the lack of direction in how to truly heal and restore your body after you had your baby? • Are there options besides surgery alone for pelvic organ prolapse? (YES) Interested? Get more information on their Facebook page, or their website. Or drop by their booth at WellMama! Today's spotlight is on Gina Watkins! She's a health & wellness coach at Be Inspired. I chatted with her about her vision for her business, and her place in the community: Who are you as a business? I am a Mental Health Therapist and Wellness Coach with over 10 years of experience guiding and supporting people in transforming their health and well-being to live healthier and happier lives. As holistic wellness provider, I can help fill in the gap where people’s needs are not being met with traditional medicine and provide an “alternative” approach to their health and well-being. I hold my client’s vision for themselves and believe that they have the power and capability to create the change they want to see in their life. Who are you as a business owner? I love having the freedom that comes with owning my own business. Although, I work quite a bit in this start-up phase, it is a labor of love and commitment. I am so inspired to create new programs and find new ways to work with my clients that will help shift the course of their lives. I am a mom of 2 young children and I want them to see that moms are independent, strong and able to be successful business owners and be in a career that provides personal and professional fulfillment. I also want them to know that making healthy lifestyle choices does not have to feel like a chore or deprivation but is actually a way to enjoy life more. I believe the service I’m providing is important and is part of the change I want to see in the world and want my children to experience. Healthier and happier people create healthier and happier communities, and so on. How did you choose the name and logo for your business? The name of my business went through a few trials but I landed on Be Inspired because that is what I want for my clients. I want them to Be Inspired to create the change they want to see in their lives. I want them to feel they have the freedom to live their purpose and experience joy in what they do. After adopting 2 children, my life went on an emotional roller coaster and the health of my mind and body was at risk. I started unhealthy habits with my nutrition, exercise and mindset. During this time, I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism and started taking medication to regulate my hormones. After a while, I knew I needed to make some changes but I was not sure how. I felt a big disconnect and it was difficult to find my path that inspired me to make some serious lifestyle changes but eventually I found the support, guidance and system that I needed to turn things around. What do you hope to do for the community where you operate? It can be difficult to find the motivation and the inspiration to change behaviors even when we know it will make a positive difference in our life. That is what I am here for– to guide, support, cheer you on, motivate you, hold you accountable to help you stay on track and act in alignment with your goals. My goal is to help people increase their energy and feel better in their bodies so they can spend more quality time with their family and friends, do the activities that bring them joy and be able to experience a sense of freedom mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually. What have you done for your community? I am a part of a wellness center that recently opened. We have a safe, peaceful and welcoming space where we offer our community natural medicine, mental health services, wellness coaching, acupuncture, natural esthetician services and several mind and body movement classes in our studio. What do you hope that everyone who meets you understands about your business? The work I do with my clients is transformational. I am not selling a product, I am offering an opportunity to open some doors in your life that you may not have known were there. Clients are often feeling a disconnect from their bodies, health, partner, family members, friends, career, life purpose and/or spirituality and are looking for support and guidance. Most people, when they are not feeling good in any area of their life, just want to feel better but often don’t know how. Together, we take small steps on their journey to create their own unique path to wellness. If you had the perfect client/customer/patient, who would they be? I love helping busy parents who are struggling with mood and energy issues and want to avoid burnout, find joy in their daily tasks and schedules and feel better in their bodies and minds so they can show up for themselves and their families in a way they have not been able to before. I offer different types of sessions and programs and would love to talk to anyone interested in finding out more! You can find out more about Gina at her Facebook page and on her website. |
Origin StoryWellMama was started in 2012 by Bryna Sampey, IBCLC- a lactation consultant and doula with Doula My Soul, llc. It's been a fantastic journey- and we celebrate the contributions that families make to their children's futures and the future of our community as a whole. WellMama is all community funded. Archives
February 2019
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