Mama Yana (2026)

23/05/2023

*the dark side of motherhood*

When I say or write certain things, they echo in my head for a long time after. Mostly, they are the things that I worry about how they will be perceived by others.

In my last post, I noted the dark side. I want to clarify with you all that dark does not equal bad. Not all all. Dark is a necessary balance to light. Yin and Yang. Dark and light are in all things.

What I most mean by the “dark side of motherhood” is that there are these parts we mostly don’t talk about and mostly don’t take pictures of. Feelings we don’t highlight and depletion that can feel unending.

But it’s all a beautiful balance - if we let it. If we have a positive community around us. I want to highlight that our dark moments are not to be shame filled or guilt ridden. They are just part of the balance.

Easier said that done, right?!

Cheers, Mamacita. ✨🧡

23/05/2023

Too important not to share. Forgiveness is a tool for you, not for them. ✨🧡

15/05/2023

It’s been silent for quite awhile here at Mama Yana! At the encouragement of a sweet friend, I’m back.

It has been a time of recalibrating and reprioritizing. For awhile, I thought it meant that I don’t have time for this passion that fueled me to start the Mama Yana dialogue.

Going forward, this will be a different sort of page - but I feel so strongly that moms need this message. That never changed. So, here goes!

I love seeing all your beautiful photos today. These loving and happy moments are so worth celebrating!! And what about the dark side of motherhood?

The days where your patience is gone. You’re tired and stressed and just trying to get through dinner. I sometimes feel this tremendous pressure from being responsible for the future livelihood of these little people, and getting frustrated or not having time to play feels like a huge failure. Feels. Like. So. Much. Pressure.

I want to celebrate those not-so-photo worthy moments. Cheers to that s**t. I’m glad more moms talk about this. Let’s keep talking about how it’s not just smiles and hugs and cute outfits. You work your butt off for your babies. You pour your heart and soul and the in between bits of you in order to fill their cups. Unseen and unacknowledged schedule keeping, appointment making, laundry sorting, grocery lists, play dates, worries, fun making, toy buying, needs filling emotional labor — EVERYTHING. No pressure, right?! As much as it is magic and beauty, it’s also tough and can feel unforgiving. Relentless. Way to earn those motherhood chops, right. You rock, sister.

Photo of my babies, and the man who gave me babies. Thank you for teaching me. I’m so grateful we all grow together.

Happy Mother’s Day. ✨🧡

31/10/2021

We have collectively done a great job at talking about mental health and it’s importance. How a journey through pain … through trauma … through growth … through healing … through whatever it is for any of us - is IMPORTANT. It matters. But then what? For some, insurance or money or ability to navigate resources stop any progress or access to mental health professionals.

Part of the mission at Mama Yana is to share resources and experiences. What helped you most? Any resources you would like to share or have posted on our website?

It took years of off and on phone calls for me to find a therapist whom I felt was helpful. For me, access to this ability to vent and get out of my own head - plus exercise and working to connect with my inner self - were key to being in a more balanced space.

While you’re working on your journey, Mama Yana’s got your back with the first adaptogenic herbal supplement meant to nurture mamacitas mental health and wellness from the postpartum months and beyond. Natural, organic where possible, non-gmo, vegan, soy free, dairy free, grain free. 🧡

10/08/2021

5 years ago, I never would have posted this selfie. I’d be all like, “I hate my thighs!” “I’m not wearing makeup!” “I need to loose 10 pounds!” “My butt looks weird!” Insecurities abound.

I still have some insecurities. BUT, the things I now care most about are my mental health (working out helps me big time), being able to chase my babies around and showing them an example of physical wellness/movement/exercise.

Here I am today, 4 months . I’m not at all at my “ideal” body - but f that. I’m moving and playing my gym playlist extra loud and half running/half dancing on the treadmill.

Becoming a mama has made me recalibrate the way I think so that I don’t pass on my s**tty thinking to my little loves.

Thinking of you, Mamacita! I hope you are loving yourself, moving that b***y, and finding tools that work to protect your sacred mental and physical well-being. Cheers to YOU! ✨🧡

09/08/2021

I found myself in this pattern of often saying that I felt bad for my negative feelings.

One of my go tos went something like:

“That frustrates me so much, but then I feel like a s**tty human feeling like that.”

Like I am somehow to supposed to be impervious to negative feelings?! Feeling like you hate bath time, like you’re sick of middle of the night wake ups, like you’re SO over this phase of incessant questions — or whatever it is — DOESN’T make you a bad person or bad mother. Sh*tty feelings make you human. Don’t punish yourself for your feelings.

I think we need to cancel the culture that tells us we must always be positive and always enjoy the moment - especially as mothers. Sometimes you just plain don’t! Then be true to that feeling and know it’s okay!

What do you do to put yourself back into positive space after some s**t feels?

Mama Yana’s herbal supplement WHOLE ‘NOTHER MOTHER - made especially for postpartum mamacitas - helps to nourish you out of negative cyclical thinking. Link to site in bio. Cheers to your wellness and healthy mindset. 🧡

07/07/2021

SHOUT IT FROM THE ROOFTOPS 🗣

Mamacita, you absolutely matter, too. Loving our babies and being nurturers doesn’t have to be at our expense. 🧡

Credit to bravo!!

09/05/2021

We took some time away from social media for the biggest little reason(s) all the mamas know about - babies!

The goal here at Mama Yana is to be an honest space to talk about pregnancy, postpartum, and motherhood issues — so here’s something. The 2020 holidays and months after kicked my a$$. Hard. I needed and wanted family so badly, but we all stuck to no travel to keep everyone safe. I have the motivation to reconnect here today because I’ll finally get to introduce new baby to her grandparents for the first time next week!

All kinds of things can trigger postpartum struggles. I’ve been feeling this huge hole, missing my family and feeling like I needed them in this time.

I recently heard a mom ask, “How did you pull yourself out of postpartum depression?” Mamacita - don’t feel like something is wrong with you if you can’t “pull yourself out.” You may need your village to love on you. You may need to talk to a therapist. You might need some medication. None of it is shameful, and this is a tough (yet magical!) time of adjustment and transformation. You’re navigating your life in a way you’ve never had to before, and the experience may surprise you in ways you never thought about. Let’s hang on to each other in these times, and know you don’t have to “pull yourself out.”

So much love and good intentions - on Mother’s Day and every day.

22/12/2020

From our guided pregnancy journal - Preparing Your Spirit & Space for Motherhood.

*I will be following our journal prompts (at an accelerated rate!) through the next couple of months of my pregnancy.*

Beginning around week 13 of pregnancy: Reflect on your current feelings about your pregnancy, and what has brought you to this point. What are your circumstances? Try to take a moment to realize that you can choose how your current feelings and circumstances - for the better or for the worse - can shape your pregnancy.

Of course, feelings and circumstances change.
The point here is to begin your pregnancy in a mindful way, where you decide for yourself how to set the tone.

Our intention-setting will begin here.
Hang on tightly to what benefits you and brings you joy. If it is something that does neither, this can be step 1 to recognizing it, and releasing it.

Since we are complicated mothers, lets chat positive and not-so-positive feelings.

For me, the positive is that it took me over three years to truly know that I wanted another baby to add to our family.
Prior to now, the thought of another was overwhelming, and now that I knew I was REALLY in -- I was soooo so excited and joyful.

The not-so-positive ... two things. 1 - I felt really alone with postpartum support with my son. I was the primary caregiver for 100% of duties. My husband was old school, and viewed newborn care as women's work. (I know, girl. I know...) 2 - we had just suffered a loss. I was worried it was too soon, and had a ton of anxiety about something going wrong... I felt afraid to celebrate. Afraid to share the news. I had to talk myself out of calling the doctor several times just because I needed reassurance...

12/12/2020

For my Mamacitas (and all parental figures) who are working hard to show up, be the best parent they can be, and break the cycles that they are deliberately choosing to stop — Bravo! 👏🏽 Cheers! 👏🏽 Hell yesssss. 👏🏽

Did you know these unhealed wounds can also trigger or contribute to triggering pregnancy and postpartum mental health struggles?

I found these phases of life to be such a helpful time to revisit therapy.

Have you thought about your familial cycles? Which do you want to keep? Which do you want to change?

Sending all the good vibes to you. ✨🧡

11/12/2020

Sharing from -

Mamacita - Postpartum Depression is this common?! Yes. I’ve poured over numbers. I’ve seen this particular number reported in some places as high as one in five experience PMADs (Postpartum and Perinatal Mood & Anxiety Disorders).

We need to talk about this more. Some - even celebrities - have been vocal and open.

There seems to be a slow shift in the mindset among some communities, but not much different otherwise by mainstream medicine (U.S.).

Please please pleeeease — if you or a mama you know is suffering, don’t feel like you can just take it on and handle it. Can’t brush it off. Can’t sleep it off. It’s not abnormal. You’re still a good mom.

Love and good intentions to you. ✨🧡

Resources and research on www.mamayana.com. Link in bio.

Mama Yana

23/05/2023

23/05/2023

15/05/2023

31/10/2021

10/08/2021

09/08/2021

07/07/2021

09/05/2021

22/12/2020

12/12/2020

11/12/2020

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