Zen By Zoë

03/21/2023

Spring is here ✨

It feels SO good to feel the sunshine on our skin again!

It’s no secret that the outdoors is my favourite spot to practice yoga. Soaking up the sun and all the sounds of nature. It really adds to the relaxation of it all.

Growing up, we were always taught the the best room in the house was outside, and I really hope my daughter grows up feeling that way too.

Here’s hoping you can get outside to enjoy the sunshine today!

Happy Spring! 🌸

0 Likes, 0 Comments - Zoë (.by.zoe) on Instagram: "Spring is here ✨ It feels SO good to feel the sunshine on our skin again! It’s no secret t..."

03/11/2023

Late night stretch sesh ✨

Today was long and I was tired, did I feel like stretching and doing my physio exercises? Nope. But was I glad I did once I finished? Sure was!

Now it’s time for bed! 😴

2 Likes, 0 Comments - Zoë (.by.zoe) on Instagram: "Late night stretch sesh ✨ Today was long and I was tired, did I feel like stretching and doing..."

03/09/2023

Body positivity ✨

I think it’s safe to say that everyone has struggled with their image at one time or another - in a society filled with diet culture and unrealistic filtered “beauty” standards it’s hard not to let it get to you.

That’s why I want to instill body positivity with my daughter from the very beginning. Teaching her to love her body from her head to her toes. Teaching her to love how strong her legs are. Teaching her how smart her brain is. Teaching her to love how her eyes light up when she laughs. Teaching her to love her self unconditionally and unapologetically.

And while teaching her, it also serves as a great reminder for myself. So I wanted to share this song to serve as a reminder for you as well.

You are perfect just the way you are. Love yourself unconditionally and unapologetically.

Happy International Women’s Day, you little beauties 💛

03/04/2023

Hot yoga at home ✨

Working up a sweat on this snowy day!

0 Likes, 0 Comments - Zoë (.by.zoe) on Instagram: "Hot yoga at home ✨ Working up a sweat on this snowy day!"

02/27/2023

Make the time ✨

Life is BUSY! But it’s important to make the time to do what makes you feel good.

Whether that’s coming to your mat and stretching, going for a walk or run, or doing an intense workout.

Maybe it’s taking time to cook yourself a good meal to nourish your body, or curling up and reading a good book.

Maybe it’s just making the time to take a shower or brush your hair.

Don’t let the to-do list take over your day, and make sure you squeeze in at least 5 minutes of what makes you feel good!

0 Likes, 0 Comments - Zoë (.by.zoe) on Instagram: "Make the time ✨ Life is BUSY! But it’s important to make the time to do what makes you feel good. Whether that’s coming to your mat and stretching, going for a walk or run, or doing an intense workout. Maybe it’s taking time to cook you...

02/23/2023

Good morning ✨

My little one’s favourite activity this week is happy baby! She loves stretching her legs up high and reaching for her little toes.

When she started stretching this morning, I couldn’t resist joining in for a mother daughter duo!

3 Likes, 0 Comments - Zoë (.by.zoe) on Instagram: "Good morning ✨ My little one’s favourite activity this week is happy baby! She loves stretching her legs up high and reaching for her little toes. When she started stretching this morning, I couldn’t resist joining in for a mother daughte...

02/16/2023

Me & you, kid ✨

I had my follow up physio appointment on Monday and have added some new stretches and strength training exercises into my recovery routine.

I focused on engaging my pelvic floor and my lower abdomen, and little one focused on practicing her rolls and shimmying across the mat.

I love coming to our mats and sharing movement together. Now time to get outside and enjoy the glorious weather!

8 Likes, 1 Comments - Zoë (.by.zoe) on Instagram: "Me & you, kid ✨ I had my follow up physio appointment on Monday and have added some new stretches and strength training exercises into my recovery routine. I focused on engaging my pelvic floor and my lower abdomen, and little one focused on ...

02/13/2023

Sunday vibes ✨

Sundays are about comfort so I busted out my tie dye sweatsuit and added a folded fuzzy blanket under my mat to make myself extra comfortable today!

0 Likes, 0 Comments - Zoë (.by.zoe) on Instagram: "Sunday vibes ✨ Sundays are about comfort so I busted out my tie dye sweatsuit and added a folded fuzzy blanket under my mat to make myself extra comfortable today!"

02/09/2023

Morning stretches ✨

I’ve been struggling to make time for my exercises the last few days. I always think I’ll wait until my husband gets home to take the time for myself, but after dinner and feeding the little one I’m usually exhausted and ready for bed! I think “I’ll do it tomorrow!” and then the cycle repeats itself.

Today I decided to do them before I even got out of bed, get them done early so I don’t spend the day making excuses.

Plus I had the perk of having doggy snuggles one on side and baby snuggles on the other - can it get any better? 🥰

0 Likes, 0 Comments - Zoë (.by.zoe) on Instagram: "Morning stretches ✨ I’ve been struggling to make time for my exercises the last few days. I always think I’ll wait until my husband gets home to take the time for myself, but after dinner and feeding the little one I’m usually exhausted...

02/04/2023

Stay cozy ✨

Brrrr! With a windchill of -40C, where better to be than snuggles up in front of the fire place!

Hope you’re all staying warm today!

0 Likes, 0 Comments - Zoë (.by.zoe) on Instagram: "Stay cozy ✨ Brrrr! With a windchill of -40C, where better to be than snuggles up in front of the fire place! Hope you’re all staying warm today!"

02/03/2023

Me time ✨

After a day of mom-mode, followed by making dinner, and power cleaning the whole house, it was time to take some time for myself.

The time lapse doesn’t give justice to the sloth like pace of this sequence - I’m trying to focus on slowing down, practicing a more yin style yoga while I recover - holding each pose for 1-3 minutes each and really focusing on my breathing and clearing my mind.

The angle of this video might not be the most exciting, but I’m hoping to get back to posting a bit more for my accountability in getting back to my mat on a more regular basis.

Did you take any time for yourself today?

0 Likes, 0 Comments - Zoë (.by.zoe) on Instagram: "Me time ✨ After a day of mom-mode, followed by making dinner, and power cleaning the whole house, it was time to take some time for myself. The time lapse doesn’t give justice to the sloth like pace of this sequence - I’m trying to focus ...

02/01/2023

100 days postpartum ✨

I had my first consult with Amy at the Pelvic Health Clinic yesterday and am excited to start my pelvic floor therapy!

Amy was amazing and the assessment was a lot more in depth than I expected. She asked a lot of questions, listened to all of my concerns and then was able to help give me some light exercises to start helping with the pain I’ve been experiencing since giving birth. She reminded me that my breath is my most important tool and to not push myself too hard too quick.

She also reminded me of the importance of a quick body scan. Quickly bringing awareness to four main focus points on your body - your jaw, your abdomen, your butt and your thighs - and checking in to see if you are holding tension. If you are, simply let it go.

Your body scan can be done multiple times a day no matter what you’re doing - in fact the more often the better! - and it only takes a few seconds. The more you make it a consistent habit the easier it will become to notice when you are holding tension or clenching unnecessarily.

Just another friendly reminder that if you’re holding onto something, let it go 🙂

*Special shoutout to crinkle toys and ocean sound playlists for keeping my daughter entertained long enough for Momma to do her exercises!

1 Likes, 0 Comments - Zoë (.by.zoe) on Instagram: "100 days postpartum ✨ I had my first consult with Amy at the Pelvic Health Clinic yesterday and am excited to start my pelvic floor therapy! Amy was amazing and the assessment was a lot more in depth than I expected. She asked a lot of questi...

01/20/2023

Happy baby ✨

At almost 13 weeks postpartum I’m still in recovery mode. After having my concerns dismissed multiple times, I finally found a doctor who would listen to me and found what has been causing my pain. I’m grateful for them for listening and caring, and grateful to myself for listening to my body and continuing to push to find a resolution before pushing myself to “get back to normal”.

Yoga should never be painful. If you need to step back, that’s ok. If you need to take time off to recover, that’s ok. Always listen to your body.

Hoping I’ll be healed soon, but in the meantime, I’ll continue to take it easy and enjoy sharing some of my favourite poses with my little girl 💖

Zoë shared a post on Instagram: "Happy baby ✨ At almost 13 weeks postpartum I’m still in recovery mode. After having my concerns dismissed multiple times, I finally found a doctor who would listen to me and found what has been causing my pain. I’m grateful for them for listening and caring, a...

01/01/2023

A year full of yoga ✨

So grateful for all of the times I was able to show up on my mat in 2022 and looking forward to sharing this practice with you again in 2023!

Zoë shared a post on Instagram: "A year full of yoga ✨ So grateful for all of the times I was able to show up on my mat in 2022 and looking forward to sharing this practice with you again in 2023!". Follow their account to see 138 posts.