About Mamata Yoga
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About Mamata Yoga
The Sanskrit word Mamata means “mother’s love” or “affection” in English, which is beautifully symbolic of all our teacher training programs as we build a community of love and support.
The intention behind our courses is to unite and create a dynamic group of professional yoga teachers, mothers, nurses, doulas and midwives who are passionate about creating a mindful connection between mother and baby during the process of pregnancy as well as labour and delivery.
Pre-natal yoga classes are currently among the most popular specified classes offered at studios or privately. Expectant mothers are seeking out qualified yoga instructors to ensure safe and effective yoga asana to sooth physical and emotional changes as well, specialized techniques such as pranayama and meditation for a more focused and calming birthing experience.
About Clare Newman
My journey into birthing began after the completion of my initial yoga certification program in 2005. After assisting in a prenatal yoga class, I was overwhelmed with a sense of raw beauty while witnessing the connection between mother and baby. I knew during an inspirational breathing and guided meditation at the end of class I wanted to be a part of this extraordinary and blessed gift with expectant mothers in preparation for my own journey into motherhood…one day.
I wanted my students to be confident in my ability to teach yoga asana but needed the knowledge to help create a calming and nurturing environment for expectant mothers, as I didn’t have any children of my own. I enrolled in a program with the Global Birthing Institute in 2006 to prepare for another journey as a Doula. I volunteered at the Terra Association and assisted in helping teens prepare for labour, delivery and motherhood.
For years I continued to teach several weekly pre-natal yoga classes in Edmonton and surrounding cities as well, served with much gratitude as a Doula for many local couples. Retirement as a Doula called early when I discovered I was pregnant with my son and made the decision to focus my teachings on yoga.
After the birth of my son in 2008, I returned to teaching yoga and became passionate about uniting mother and baby though use of traditional yoga practices such as pranayama (breath), meditation and mantras (healing sounds) while incorporating mindful techniques I learned as a Doula. I created Mamata Yoga in 2010 after I discovered I was pregnant with my daughter and decided to create a pre-natal yoga teacher training program to help create a solid unification of current yoga instructors and professionals who are interested in assisting women throughout pregnancy.
Clare, a mother of three, has been a practitioner of yoga for over 18 years with experience in Hatha, Bikram, Anusara, Ashtanga, Vinyasa Flow, Kid’s yoga and Pre & Post Natal yoga. She studied Iyengar yoga intensively for over 4 years, attending the teacher training program at the Yoga Studio College of Alberta in 2005 (Certified).
Clare is an Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher (E-RYT 500), Registered Children’s Yoga Teacher (RCYT) and a Registered Prenatal Yoga Teacher (RPYT) with the Yoga Alliance.
Clare has assisted and lead 200 hour Teacher Training courses with Yoga Alliance since 2007 and is honored to be the Program Director and co-facilitator for the 200 Yoga Teacher Training at Vikara Yoga Academy.
Our Instructors:
Sandy Brown
Program Facilitator
I had dreamt of becoming a yoga teacher since starting my own practice in the late 90s; but my introverted nature and shyness kept me from pursuing that dream until 2008 when I found myself on the other side of a traumatic birthing experience. It was at that point I knew my future would involve educating myself and other women about the benefits of yoga and how it is a tool for overall well-being, birthing, recovery and life as a modern woman and mother.
In my first pregnancy I had attended weekly prenatal yoga classes, I felt certain -after squatting a few squats and chanting a few OMs – I was totally prepared and capable of having my baby the way a great yogini would.
I was shattered and unprepared when my birth did not go at all according to plan… not even close.
The sharp edge of reality left me in a dark, deep pit of emptiness with feelings of inadequacy and failure.
I knew in my heart that other women must have had similar experiences, perhaps fear of judgement kept them silent. And so I set out to educate myself and discover truths about pregnancy and birthing.
I sought to heal myself and procure tools to parent my beautiful child and perhaps find a sense of preparedness to one day expand my family further.
And although my initial intention was completely self-serving what I unearthed was a greater need to share my experiences and discoveries with others. And so the journey began… and so it continues today.
My passion is yoga and my intention is teaching modern applications of ancient yogic philosophies to women, so that she may discover her rhythm, unleash her primal self, harness her potential and focus her energy into loving inspiration for the next generation of her children to seek and express their own unique authenticity.
I am thrilled to be apart of Mamata Yoga and to have this amazing opportunity to share my passion in support of creating an extensive group of empowered yoga teachers.
Namasté
Sandy
Sandy a mother of two beautiful rascals is a health and natural beauty enthusiast.
In her spare time she can be found honing her asanas in her home studio, concocting delectable beauty products, reading and hanging out with friends! She enjoys spending time with her family, painting and playing musical instruments. She dances like no one is watching and sings like no one is listening and wants you to do the same!
Sandy currently holds registration through the Yoga Alliance as an Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher (ERYT200) and Prenatal Yoga Teacher (RPYT), she is currently working towards her 500-hour Yoga certification and her Natural Health Consulting certification.
Heidi Mason
Program Facilitator
Heidi has had the amazing opportunity to be a part of the Mamata yoga training program from its conception as both a student and Anatomy & Physiology Instructor. She blends her training and experience as Yoga Teacher (E-RYT 200 and RPYT), Physical Therapist (BScPT), Professional Yoga Therapist in training (PYT-C) & Mom to bring unique and passionate perspectives on topics related to pregnancy, labour, birth, postpartum recovery and women’s health.
Heidi looks forward to sharing insights on “holding it all together” in pregnancy, physiological and postural changes, pelvic floor anatomy, awareness, training and recovery, prevention and management of incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse (keeping the “groceries in the bag” so to speak), connecting with and mobilizing the pelvic girdle in preparation for labour and birth, pain, diastasis recti management and recovery, re-establishing connection and coordination of the “core” and how the tools of yoga can help…just to name a few!! These topics are extremely relevant for yoga teachers, new and expecting moms, anyone who’s ever had a baby and pretty much any woman with a pelvis ;)!!
As a Mom she can attest to the benefits of applying this information prenatally, during labour, birth and postpartum.
Knowledge is power and Heidi is passionate about empowering you all!! She strongly believes yoga teachers are in an ideal position and have unique opportunities to shed the light of awareness on these important yet often misunderstood and overlooked women’s health issues!!
“My journey with Yoga began over 20 years ago and has been there as a constant through my personal growth as a student, friend, wife, mother, traveller, healthcare professional, yoga therapist in training, dog lover, women’s health enthusiast, anatomy geek and the list goes on… I am grateful and blessed for opportunities to share this holistic practice with so many others! Yoga means union and I am passionate about uniting the many aspects of my world to share the teachings of yoga through the filter of my personal experiences and professional background as a Physical Therapist. I am grateful to be a part of the Mamata team and I look forward to connecting with you all!!”
Lauren Mary
Program Facilitator
Lauren Mary is a Clinical Herbalist, Certified Holistic Nutrition Consultant, Birth and Post Partum Doula from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Her company, Lauren Mary Holistics, is a multifaceted business that supports and nourishes women and their families by providing full spectrum support to various stages in life focusing primarily on fertility, pregnancy, birth, postpartum and parenting.
In addition to providing wellness and doula services, Lauren Mary also has a extensive line of organic herbal teas, remedies, and botanical skincare + baby care.
Lauren has a passion for sharing the wisdom of plant medicine, natural nutrition and ancient healing practices and holds space for others to discover the power of plants by holding workshops and retreats all over Canada. She believes that this abundance of knowledge has been inherently lost since the modernization of society today, but advocates the use of traditional practices in a contemporary, harmonious way that betters the people and the planet.
