MyBump2Baby interviews LushTums and WiggleBums
For people that don’t know about LushTums and Wigglebums, can you tell us a little about yourselves?
Yes of course! LushTums offers pregnancy yoga, birth preparation, postnatal yoga for mum & baby and women’s yoga classes in towns and cities all across the UK. I set up LushTums with the aim of providing a safe, nurturing and supportive space for women during this time of huge transformation. We also offer teacher training in each field, so other women can then establish their own local franchises and help us reach even more women. Today we have about 30 teachers sharing the LushTums love far and wide! Last year I co-created WiggleBums with my sister Patricia, which she now heads up. WiggleBums offers yoga, mindfulness, sensory play and story classes in nurseries and schools, and we have trained 10 teachers already.
I’m so proud of our growing community of amazing teachers who are all so passionate about what we do. We know yoga provides the tools to increase well-being and reduce mental and emotional stress and ill-health; helping people feel more complete, grounded and able to fulfil their own unique potential and aspirations, whatever they may be. We also know how formative the experiences we have in-utero, during birth and in the early years of childhood are; laying the foundations for who we become as adults. I believe what we are doing can help make a really wide-reaching, positive difference.
How did LushTums come about?
I set up LushTums nearly five years ago in Brighton, having spent 10 years teaching yoga, and specialising in teaching pregnancy yoga, birth preparation and postnatal yoga for many of them. Through my classes I had been able to support, empower and educate lots of women with such positive results, and LushTums was born out of a desire to take this further. I had a nagging feeling that I needed to be doing something else and realised that by sharing my knowledge and experience with others, collectively we could help more women on their journey throughout pregnancy, in their life as a new mum, and beyond.
What are the benefits of classes with LushTums?
How long have you got?! Our classes are for everyone, and the aim of each class is that you feel better when you leave the mat than you did when you arrived- that’s physically, mentally and emotionally. They are designed to help you feel fit and strong, to reduce any stress or anxiety you may be experiencing, to ease any aches and pains and generally give you the opportunity to press pause, take stock and recharge- ready to take on the outside world again. Yoga helps each of us connect deeply with who we really are – it pulls back the layers and helps us feel more grounded, whole, complete and present. Just as important is the community aspect- these classes are a safe, welcoming place where people make friends, join in and find support, information and empowerment.
What are the benefits of the WiggleBums classes?
Again, in sharing yoga, mediation and mindfulness practices with children and their parents, carers and teachers we are aiming to provide physical, mental and emotional balance. These practices really are tools for life, and teaching children them from early on really sets them up for the future. The story elements of the classes are creative and inspirational, and often have a positive meaning or learning included in them. And of course, they’re really fun too! Every child involved has the chance to really enjoy time and connect with their parents or carers through the practices and through play. It’s very special.
When can people take part in your classes?
For LushTums, we recommend that those who are new to yoga wait until after their first trimester before joining one of our pregnancy yoga classes – around 15/16 weeks. If someone has practiced yoga up until their pregnancy they can join as soon as they wish.
For postnatal mum and baby classes, it is recommended to wait until 6 weeks after a vaginal delivery and 8 weeks after a caesarean birth.
All women are welcome to our Women’s Yoga classes, which focus on women’s health.
For WiggleBums we have classes for little ones who are crawling and on the move, right through to preschoolers and primary school children. So all are welcome! We are also developing our next series of programmes for senior school teens as well- watch this space!
Do you have different classes available for different trimesters?
We tailor each of our classes to suit the students in class on that day and their needs, so everyone is welcome at any stage. Usually most ladies are in their 2nd or 3rd trimesters when they come to class and we spend time at the beginning of each class checking in with everyone so we can adapt the class to address any specific aches or pains or ailments, or include our tried and tested birth preparation practices to help prepare for labour and birth.
How do I get started with classes?
You can find your nearest class and book your place online via our website or via the LushTums app. We have plenty of FAQs on the website if you need any more info, or you can contact your local teacher. Then just come along and give it a go- we’d love to see you on the mat!
How many franchises are there in the UK?
We are in 23 locations around the UK, and have over 30 teachers running classes.
Are you looking for any more franchisees?
Yes we are! We are looking for people who are passionate about teaching yoga for pregnancy, birth and motherhood, or teaching yoga for preschoolers and children aged 4-12yrs old. Our trainings are really in-depth and thorough, taking around 3 months to complete each module, which means that no previous experience is needed- just lots of energy and enthusiasm! We will teach you everything you need to know, and after just 3 months with us you will be setting up classes and beginning to grow your business. Everyone is welcome to apply but we do have a pretty rigorous application process, because we are looking for motivated and driven people keen to jump onboard and really build a business and join our amazing tribe of teachers.
What are the benefits of becoming a franchisee?
This is probably one of the most rewarding careers you can have! I can honestly say it really is an absolutely joy to work as a LushTums and/or WiggleBums teacher, which is why so many of our teachers tell us that it doesn’t really feel like work! You are also able to create a great work/life balance working flexible, family-friendly hours. Our franchisee teachers also benefit from being part of something bigger; a close-knit community of teachers who are all on hand to offer support and advice to help you on your way and ensure you become the best teacher you can be.
Carla is the founder of MyBump2Baby. Carla has a huge passion for linking together small businesses and growing families. Carla’s humorous, non-filtered honesty has won the hearts of thousands of parents throughout the UK.
She has previously written for the Metro and made appearances on BBC News, BBC 5 live, LBC etc. Carla is a finalist for Blogger of the Year award with Simply Ladies inc. Carla is also the host of the popular Fifty Shades of Motherhood podcast and The MyBump2Baby Expert podcast.
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