Fall pre/postnatal instructor courses
Fitness Instructor

• Feb 20-24/06 pre/postnatal fitness instructor certification 5-day intensive course

Call Sheela for fee information and to register at 416 604-2249

New Beaches location
We’ve moved back to the Beaches & Queen St East and into the beautiful Fitness Works for Women studio, 2181 Queen St. East, Suite 200 (south side of Queen, east of Lee Ave). Join BABY & ME FITNESS yoga babies (moms & babies) Mondays 1:30-3pm or yoga bellies (pregnant women) Wednesdays 6:30-8pm . Every yoga class includes a discussion on current parenting topics.
Strollerfit (Fitness in the park) begins again in Spring 2006.  To register call Sheela at 416 604-2249.

Pregnant couples yoga
This 5-week series is held at our Bloor & Spadina location and is a wonderful way to include the non-pregnant partner in a class that is centred around the pregnancy. Yoga experience is not necessary. Each class includes a discussion period featuring a variety of parenting topics.
Call Sheela at 416 604-2249 to find out more and don't forget to ask about the Pregnant couples yoga and massage workshop.

New in January - Fit bellies for pregnant women
A low-impact cardio fitness class especially designed for pregnant women. One location only. Call for details.

Great Gift ideas
- certificates
With the holidays fast approaching consider a unique gift that is different, meaningful, fun, and encourages a healthy lifestyle. Purchase a BABY & ME FITNESS gift certificate for prenatal or postpartum classes, recommended products or parenting courses for the pregnant woman or new mother in your life. Call 416 604-2249 for more details.

- gift packs
Want something different? Baby and Me has created Mom-2-Be and Baby Substance herbal gifts packs and an Introducing Baby to Solid food gift pack, all available at discounted prices.

Popular baby product
Bumbo is an amazing baby seat for babies designed so the baby’s own weight keeps the baby gently in place. Made of non-toxic, low density foam material the Bumbo is shaped to support 3 month (to 14 month) old babies in an upright sitting position. Great for young babies who are bored with lying on their backs. Available from BABY & ME FITNESS. Call 416 604-2249 to order.

Fitness, Health & Wellness Tip: Cross training
All of one thing is not a good thing! Cross training distributes the exercise training across all your body parts increasing your overall fitness level and developing your entire body. Pregnant women: consider cross training throughout your pregnancy by mixing and matching aquafit, pilates, yoga & fitness/cardio classes.

New moms: remember it took nine months to grow your baby and it takes at least nine months to regain your pre-pregnancy weight and shape. Balance your weekly exercise routine by choosing a variety of cross training classes yoga, pilates, aquafit, fitness and strollerfit. An example of a perfect weekly fitness routine would be: yoga on Mondays, fitness/cardio on Wednesdays and pilates on Fridays. Think about how you can incorporate cross training into your daily life.

Healthy Family Food Tips

• pregnancy heartburn - try natural heartburn remedies papaya (all forms), yoghurt, raw almonds, fennel seed tea, organic orange peel, apple peel or pineapple, they contain digestive enzymes.
  
• eat & enjoy the variety of fresh & locally grown in-season fruits & vegetables
  
• add soda water to your favourite juice & cut down on drinking sugar-loaded pop

Reminder: Credits & refund official policy
Class credits

• Classes must be used consecutively.
  
• Missed classes can be made-up at any location within your paid session only.
  
• There is no carry-over of missed classes to future sessions.
  
• Prenatal class credits will be applied to postpartum classes, (see next point).
  
• To receive class credits the BABY & ME FITNESS office must be informed of the baby's birth within 30 days.
  
• Class credits are honoured up to six months postpartum and then are canceled.
  
• Unused or canceled class credits will not be refunded.

Class refunds

• Refunds are given for medical reasons only.
  
• There is a $25 administration fee.
  
• Refunds must be applied for before the end of the participant's session.
  
• No refunds will be allowed after a session has ended.

Your turn
We are looking for quotable quotes about your experience with BABY & ME FITNESS, what the pre or postnatal classes have meant to you or how they have impacted your life. We are also looking for birth stories for our Birth Stories website page, and/or information for our Matching Mothers Network website page which has women sharing information with other women who may benefit from your pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding or parenting experience.

If you find this monthly newsletter informative and helpful please let me know at skylar@babyandmefitness.com.

Keep healthy, keep safe, keep happy

FALL 2004

BABY & ME FITNESS Family Health & Wellness Newsletter

Autumn crisp fresh days, falling brilliant coloured leaves, walks in the park, cozy days wearing down vests, sleeping under feather duvets, Thanksgiving and Halloween, apple picking, farmers markets, wonderful fall fresh vegetables...

BABY & ME FITNESS NEWS!
We’ve come a long way baby!
BABY & ME FITNESS is celebrating 18 years in October 2004! Since 1987 thousands of women have participated and been inspired in our classes throughout their pregnancy and the postpartum period. Over the years even some of Toronto’s celebrities like singers Molly Johnson, Nancy White & Amy Sky have joined BABY & ME FITNESS classes.

Session #5 class schedule update
The following classes are 5 weeks sessions:
• Dufferin & Lawrence: yoga babies starts Nov 15 • Dufferin & Lawrence fit bellies & babies starts Nov 17 • Bayview & Davisville yoga babies starts Nov 16 • Danforth fit babies starts Nov 16 • Bloor & Spadina aqua bellies starts Nov 16 & 18 • Bloor & Spadina aqua babies starts Nov 15 Call Sheela for fee information and to register at 416 604-2249

Upcoming parenting courses/workshops

• Oct 30 infant/child CPR certificate course Saturday 10:30-3:30
• Nov 18 Making healthy baby food Thursday 10-12noon
• Nov 20 infant/child first aid 10-12noon
• Nov 13 expecting couples yoga preparation for labour & birth Saturday 1:30-4:30pm
• Dec 11 infant/child CPR certificate course Saturday 10:30am-3:30pm Call Sheela for fee information and to register at 416 604-2249
  

Fall pre/postnatal instructor courses

• Oct 25-29 pre/postnatal fitness instructor certification 5-day intensive course
• Nov 13 & 14 pre/postnatal yoga instructor certification course For more information call Skylar at 416 534-0837 or 534-8252.

New Beaches location
We’ve moved back to the Beaches & Queen St East and into the beautiful Bodies Defined pilates studio, 1971 Queen St. East, 2nd floor (south side of Queen, west of Bellefair and east of Woodbine). Join BABY & ME FITNESS yoga babies (moms & babies) at 1:30-3pm or yoga bellies (pregnant women) at 6-7:30pm every Tuesday. Every yoga class includes a discussion on current parenting topics. Strollerfit Strollerfit in the park begins again in Spring 2005. For those who live in the Etobicoke area and love working out with the baby in a stroller (motion keeps babies happy) the indoor strollerfit program at Cloverdale Mall is running on Tuesdays 10-11:30am. To register call Sheela at 416 604-2249.

The Strollerfit program moves indoors and becomes fit babies classes. Fit babies classes are available at many BABY & ME FITNESS locations. Call for a schedule of classes in your neighbourhood.

Aquafit at Bloor & Spadina
The Miles Nadal JCC (Jewish Community Centre) at Bloor & Spadina pool renovation is nearly completed and the pool is re-opening November 1. aqua bellies: a 5-week aqua bellies session for pregnant women starts Nov. 16 (Tuesdays and/or Thursdays 6-7:30). Our 10-week sessions begin in 2005 (January 4 and 6). aqua babies: a 5-week cardio aquafit class for moms with babies in floaters begins Monday Nov. 15. Babies need to be at least 6 months old with good back, neck & head support. We are accepting registration for all JCC aquafit classes now. Call Sheela to register at 416 604-2249.

Pregnant couples yoga
This 5-week series is held at our Bloor & Spadina location and is a wonderful way to include the non-pregnant partner in a class that is centred around the pregnancy. Yoga experience is not necessary. Each class includes a discussion period featuring a variety of parenting topics.

Fit bellies for pregnant women
A low-impact cardio fitness class especially designed for pregnant women. One location only. Call for details.

Family yoga
New parents with babies learn classical yoga postures and techniques in a 5-week series at Bloor & Spadina on Saturdays beginning Nov. 20. Yoga experience is not necessary. Great class for parents of twins -- one mat and one baby for each parent.

Instructor news
Anne, who is a BABY & ME FITNESS aquafit, pilates, strollerfit & fitness instructor at our Bloor West Village, Danforth & Bloor/Spadina locations adopted a beautiful Chinese baby girl in August. The trip to China was an amazing experience for the whole family!

Gift certificates
With the holidays fast approaching consider a unique gift that is different, meaningful, fun, and encourages a healthy lifestyle. Purchase a BABY & ME FITNESS gift certificate for prenatal or postpartum classes, recommended products or parenting courses for the pregnant woman or new mother in your life. Call 416 604-2249 for more details.

New popular baby product
Bumbo is an amazing baby seat for babies designed so the baby’s own weight keeps the baby gently in place. Made of non-toxic, low density foam material the Bumbo is shaped to support 3 month (to 14 month) old babies in an upright sitting position. Great for young babies who are bored with lying on their backs. Available from BABY & ME FITNESS. Call 416 604-2249 to order.

Fitness, Health & Wellness Tip: Cross training
All of one thing is not a good thing! Cross training distributes the exercise training across all your body parts increasing your overall fitness level and developing your entire body. Pregnant women: consider cross training throughout your pregnancy by mixing and matching aquafit, pilates, yoga & fitness classes. New moms: remember it took nine months to grow your baby and it takes at least nine months to regain your pre-pregnancy weight and shape. Balance your weekly exercise routine by choosing a variety of cross training classes yoga, pilates, aquafit, fitness and strollerfit.. An example of a perfect weekly fitness routine would be: pilates on Mondays, fitness/cardio on Wednesdays and yoga on Fridays. Think about how you can incorporate cross training into your daily life.

Healthy Family Food Tips
Pregnancy heartburn? Try Swiss Natural Sources chewable papaya enzyme. Many pregnant women swear papaya relieves heartburn better than anything else. All papaya forms --fresh, dried, canned, juice, or tablets --contain digestive enzymes. Other natural heartburn remedies include yogurt, raw almonds, fennel seed tea, organic orange peel, apple peel or pineapple.

Your turn
We are looking for quotable quotes about your experience with BABY & ME FITNESS, what the pre or postnatal classes have meant to you or how they have impacted your life. We are also looking for birth stories for our Birth Stories website page, and/or information for our Matching Mothers Network website page which has women sharing information with other women who may benefit from your pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding or parenting experience.

If you find this monthly newsletter informative and helpful please let me know at skylar@babyandmefitness.com.

Keep healthy, keep safe, keep happy!
Skylar
Director BABY & ME FITNESS

AUGUST 2004

Cool Summer It has been an unusually cool summer so far--which means sleeping has been very comfortable and we are saving energy by not having to use air conditioning.

Water babies Pregnant women and moms and babies are staying cool in aqua bellies and aqua babies classes. These fun cardio classes are held at several locations across the GTA. Check the BABY & ME FITNESS schedule to find a class near you. The Bloor & Spadina pool currently under major renovation is expected to re-open in November/04. Watch future newsletters for the latest developments.

Strollerfit The second strollerfit session begins August 3 and continues until Thanksgiving. Register for classes around your summer holidays and we will pro-rate the fee for the classes you will miss. Strollerfit in the park classes during the Fall are a wonderful way to experience the crisp fresh air and watch the leaves changing color. Call Sheela to register 416 604-2249. Strollerfit Schedule and Locations.

August Strollerfit class schedule

• Withrow Park Tues
• Bayview Village Park Tues
• Sherwood Park Wed, High Park Wed
• Trinity Bellwoods Park Thurs
• Kew Gardens Park Thurs
• Cedarvale Thurs

Fall Beginner's Strollerfit Runners' Clinic An 8-week learn-to-run clinic for new mothers with their babies (in all-terrain or jogging strollers). Participants learn the basic elements of running including proper technique, specific safety concerns, appropriate attire and recommended running shoes & breast support. Course participants will begin with short running periods followed by walking breaks, and gradually building up to longer running periods. The instructor, Karen Bridson, is an experienced Running Room leader, marathon runner, award-winning Toronto author, and a new mother. This important course will provide participants with the skill and confidence to begin a personal or group (bunch of moms) running routine.

Sign up before the end of September and save with our Introductory offer $90. Regular fee is $100.

Fall Strollerfit Runners' Clinic October 13 - December 3/04:

• High Park Thursdays 10-11am
• Beaches Tuesdays 10-11am
• other locations by request

New location: Beaches We've moved the Beaches classes from Kew Beach United Church to Kingston Road United Church, 975 Kingston Rd (& Scarborough Rd) as of August 3.

August class schedule

• Bloor & Spadina: yoga bellies, pilates bellies, yoga babies, pilates babies
• Bloor West Village: yoga bellies
• High Park: aqua babies, aqua bellies
• Bathurst & Sheppard: aqua bellies, yoga bellies
• Bayview & Davisville: yoga bellies
• Danforth: yoga bellies
• Dufferin & Lawrence: aqua bellies Beaches: yoga bellies
• Yonge & Eglinton: yoga bellies ends August 11 & resumes Sept 8
• Etobicoke: yoga bellies
• Brampton: yoga bellies, aqua bellies
• Markham: yoga bellies

Call Sheela at 416 604-2249 to confirm times & locations. No classes on statutory holidays. Class location addresses.

Reminder: Credits & refund official policy
Class credits

• Classes must be used consecutively.
• A half-session of 5 classes must be used within the paid 5-week period.
• Missed classes can be made-up at any location within the present session only.
• There is no carry-over of missed classes to future sessions.
• Prenatal class credits will be applied to postpartum classes.
• To activate class credits the office must be informed of the baby's birth within 30 days.
• Class credits are honoured up to six months postpartum and then are cancelled

Class refunds

• Refunds are given for medical reasons only. A doctor's note is required.
• There is a $10 administration fee.
• Refunds must be applied for before the end of the participant's session.
• No refunds will be allowed after a session has ended.
• In certain circumstances refunds must be applied for within six months of the baby's birth.

Upcoming courses/workshops
No courses during August .

• Sept 11 pregnant couples massage preparation for labour 10:30-11:30am
• Sept 11 expecting couples yoga preparation for labour 1-3pm
• Sept 11 first aid 10-12noon
• Sept 13-Oct 4 Journey into Childbirth couples childbirth preparation 4-week series
• Sept 14 baby yoga 10-11am
• Sept 16 infant massage techniques
• Sept 18 infant/child CPR certificate course 10:30-3:30
• Sept 28 Making better baby food 10-12noon
• Oct 2 & 3 pre/postnatal yoga instructor certification course
• Oct 25-29 pre/postnatal fitness instructor certification 5-day intensive course

Fitness, Health & Wellness Tip
Strollerfit participants: remember the 'tight butt walk' when pushing your baby along the street or in the mall.

Healthy Family Food Tips

• Add soda water to your favourite juice & cut down on drinking sugar-loaded pop
• Add a slice of lemon, lime or cucumber to your bottled water for a refreshing, hydrating drink
• Pick up a copy of the July/August Vitality Magazine which contains the 2004 Organics Guide to all the best Ontario organic farms, outlets, suppliers, manufacturers and more...
• According to the Environmental Working Group, a non-profit research group based in Washington, D.C., strawberries, cherries, peaches, apples, apricots, cantaloupe and grapes all contain the most concentration of pesticides. So wash these fruits very well before eating.
• Barbecuing? Try the new President's Choice Bison Burgers--they are great!

If you find this monthly newsletter informative and helpful please let me know at skylar@babyandmefitness.com.

Keep healthy, keep safe, keep happy

Skylar
Director BABY & ME FITNESS

BABY & ME FITNESS Family Health & Wellness Newsletter

Summer There is lush greenery everywhere, flowers are blossoming in vibrant colors, we have comfortable sleeping temperatures so far, and BABY & ME FITNESS classes are booming and expanding!

Strollerfit BABY & ME FITNESS Strollerfit in the park is celebrating 9 years! BABY & ME FITNESS was first to offer stroller fitness in Canada and now (it took a few years) stroller fitness has become so popular that it has been featured in TV commercials. We are thrilled that more and more mothers and babies are getting out into the fresh air and exercising. Other stroller fitness groups have sprung up to follow the trend that we started in 1996.

Strollerfit is a fun class to teach and really fun for moms and babies. There is no stroll in Strollerfit--it is a designed full body workout while pushing your baby in a stroller. Jogging strollers are not necessary. (We started Strollerfit before there was such a thing as "jogging" strollers.

BABY & ME FITNESS Strollerfit classes are held across the GTA in nine parks: Sherwood Park, Withrow Park, High Park, Kew Gardens, Etienne Brule Park, Cedarvale, Trinity Bellwoods Park, Bayview Village Park, and Chinguacousy Park, Brampton.

Strollerfit Pot Luck Picnic All BABY & ME FITNESS Strollerfit classes held during the week of July 26 (end of the first 10-week session) will have a pot luck picnic following the workout. Please bring your favourite finger food (not too many carrot sticks), and remember the food does not have to be Œhomemade'!

New Location Announcing our newest location offering aqua bellies and aqua babies:
High Park Village Fitness & Recreation Centre  aqua bellies (for pregnant women) Tuesdays 6-7:30pm  aqua babies (for new mothers & babies 6-12 months old) Tuesdays 1:30-3pm Call Sheela or Karen to register: 416 604-2249

New Program

• yoga babies (for new mothers & babies 6 weeks to crawling)
• Dunfield Club, Yonge & Eglinton
• Thursdays 2-3:15pm -- 8-week session July 8-August 26
• open to non-club members/no yoga experience necessary. Call the Dunfield Club to register: 416 485-0200

Statutory Holiday No classes on July 1 Canada Day. No aqua bellies class Friday, July 30 at the Columbus Centre, Dufferin & Lawrence

July Courses Tuesday, July 20 10-12noon "Making your own natural & healthy baby food" $30 Nadal JCC, 750 Spadina Ave (at Bloor) Call Sheela or Karen to register at 416 604-2249

Media Appearances Did you catch Karen, BABY & ME FITNESS co-founder and director, on Canada AM speaking as an expert on baby products and highlighting the best baby carrier--the Baby Trekker?

Matching Mothers Network Would you like to share your pregnancy, labour, birth, breastfeeding or new parenting challenge with women who may be experiencing a similar situation? Matching Mothers Network brings women together to support each other through shared experience. To become a participant of Matching Mothers Network e-mail skylar@babyandmefitness.com

Great Birth Stories BABY & ME FITNESS class graduates are invited to share their birth experience with other class participants. Send your birth story to skylar@babyandmefitness.com

Pre/postnatal Instructor Certification Courses Friday, July 16 pre/postnatal aquafit 6-hour course $150 Friday, July 23 strollerfit 6-hour course $150 Sat/Sun, October 2&3 pre/postnatal yoga 12-hour course $275 Fall October 25-29 Toronto 5-day intensive pre/postnatal fitness 35-hour course $550

Licensing Opportunity BABY & ME FITNESS grants licenses to qualified applicants who wish to offer our successful and popular programs in their own community. We are currently seeking licensees for Brampton, Markham. Newmarket and Richmond Hill. For information regarding this amazing opportunity call Skylar at 416 534-0837 or email skylar@babyandmefitness.com


Parenting Product Feature BABY & ME FITNESS awards a quality product Seal of Approval to the world's best baby cloth carriers:

• Baby Trekker www.babytrekker.com
• First Journey www.first-journey.com
• Heart to Heart Sling www.heart2heart.on.ca

Fitness, Health & Wellness Tip

• eat less & move more
• take the stairs

Healthy Family Food Tips

• eat & enjoy the variety of fresh & locally grown in-season fruits & vegetables
• thoroughly wash watermelon & cantaloupe before cutting so the knife doesn't drag pesticides, dirt and bacteria inside
• unless labelled as "wild"' most fresh or frozen salmon is farmed. According to Nutrition Action Health Letter June 2004 canned salmon is mostly wild salmon. Check labels.
• for anyone who has soy in their diet there is an important article in the May/June issue of Mothering Magazine--available at bigger bookstores, health food stores, baby specialty stores Diaper-eez (Bloor West Village) & With Child (Pape & Danforth)

If you find this monthly newsletter informative and helpful please let me know at skylar@babyandmefitness.com.

Keep healthy, keep safe, keep happy
Skylar
co-founder & co-director BABY & ME FITNESS