Putting Mom first - Mind, Body & Soul

“A woman who heals herself heals her children and her children’s children” - Unknown

In celebration of Mother’s Day 2019, Mama’s Got Mojo and Mamas, You Got This!, joined forces once again hosting ‘Healthy Mama – Mind, Body & Soul” – an event with the mission to raise awareness about the importance of self-care and overall wellness for moms. It was an empowering evening! 75 Mamas came ready to learn, connect, share experiences and, of course, pamper ourselves a little.

Moms often put their physical, mental and emotional health on the back burner while focusing solely on their children’s well-being. This is a short sighted strategy that can have catastrophic consequences for the whole family. Our aim was to change the narrative – prioritizing your own health is not selfish, it is a necessity! It’s important to note that self-care is a very individual thing and it goes beyond getting your hair and nails done, the occasional spa treatment or a mom’s night out. Self-care is a commitment we, as mothers, must make to ourselves, on a daily basis, so that we can do the important work that comes with bringing a new life into the world.

Psychologist Christine Meinecke defines self-care as:

“Choosing behaviors that balance the effects of emotional and physical stressors: exercising, eating healthy foods, getting enough sleep, practicing yoga or meditation or relaxation techniques, abstaining from substance abuse, pursuing creative outlets, engaging in psychotherapy. Also essential to self-care is learning to self-soothe or calm our physical and emotional distress.”

In order to provide Mamas with a self-care tool-kit necessary to survive the day-to-day juggle of raising little children we invited a panel of experts on Mom health:

• Michelle Goitia: Certified Prenatal, Postnatal and Kids Yoga Instructor – Founder of JC Bump & Baby:

• Mary Vidal: Core & Pelvic Floor Recovery Mentor, Yoga Instructor and Certified Personal trainer – Founder of WholeCore

• Laura Lacey – Massage Therapist and Nutrition Consultant – Founder of Laura Lacey Massage

• Michelle Breckes: Dietitian/Nutritionist & Certified Natural Food Chef – Founder of Busy Bee Organics:

• Kausar & Doucky – Certified Fitness & Nutrition Coaches – Co-founders of Become Fit Forever (B.F.F)

 The panelists shed light on a number of topics such as:

• how to incorporate proper breathing and meditation to our daily routine: “Your breath is the best indicator as to what is happening within you at this very moment. When we come back to our breath, we can focus on it one breath at a time. In every trying life situation, there is always time to pause, take a breath and return to the moment.”- @jcbumpandbaby

• the need to restore the whole core, specifically our pelvic floor muscles (lots of aha moments): “While Kegels may help some of us they're not recommended for everyone. Healthy breathing and good body alignment play a key role in restoring pelvic floor health. Seek professional help from physical therapists and trainers who specialize in pelvic floor”. - @mywholecore

• the vital need for massage therapy and how to practice self-massage (it’s not just a luxury): “One of the biggest benefits of massage is stress reduction. Life is stressful and being  a mom can be stressful. Having a way to manage stress is important. Left unchecked it can cause a variety of health issues from chronic pain to migraines to intestinal issues. Getting regular massages will help. It's not a luxury. It's a necessity.” - @lauralacymassage

• the importance of creating new habits and having a support system to help you reach your fitness goals (patience is key): “Waking up early to organize your day is key. Meal-plan and buy your groceries once a week so that you have everything at hand when it’s time to cook. Plan all your workouts and put them on your calendar to make your partner aware of your schedule. And most importantly, find a tribe/community that share your goals and hold you accountable. It is so much easier to do it together!” - @bffzone

• how the right foods nourishes us inside and out and simply makes you feel better (chocolate chia pudding anyone?): “Too many people strive for the skinny body by eating fat-free and sugar-free versions of every processed food because we’re told it is the fastest way to get fit. In reality, it deprives you of nutrients, drains your energy and quite frankly makes you unhappy. Healthy is a state of mind, a lifestyle. The simple fact is that we are what we eat and if you stick to a mainly whole food, plant forward diet you will have more energy, better digestion and better skin.” - @busybeeorgsnics

Thank you to these amazing experts for sharing a wealth of knowledge!!!

We also want to thank the following amazing women who added so much value to the evening:

Charlise Rookwood @vegansoulicious for the amazing spread of exotic vegan food with roots in Mauritius, Jamaica and Japan.

Sandy Murray @sandy_therapy who spoiled our Mamas with massages throughout the evening and Dominique Bariso @jcchiroacu for providing acupressure with ear seeds.

Jean Mastrandrea @beautycounter for teaching moms about safer skin care and make-up and Anna Dioguardi @grow_love_oils  for showing us the beneficial uses of essential oils for our bodies and in our homes.

Hagit Dror Forshee @drorforshee for photographing the event and capturing all the special moments with such color, warmth and light.

The list of people and companies who made this event a success continues!

@lennyandlarrys for the yummy vegan, protein cookies that fueled us all night.

@libertyphysicaltherapy and @truedentalcare for the generous giveaways.

@moderalofts and their wonderful staff for graciously lending us the beautiful venue.

Last but not least, thank you to the best community of Mamas for coming out to celebrate, share, learn and support one another. We can’t wait to do this again!!