A M Y: Bachelor degree qualified Naturopath who specialises in women's health, and founder of Naturopathic Yoga - combines the science of Naturopathy and the philosophy of yoga to shares her top 3 yoga poses, her top tips for postnatal care, and chats to us about the importance of self care and reaching out for support.

Amy's scientific knowledge of women's health,  combined with her generousity of spirit, and zest for life, are contagious - happy reading!

Thanks so much Amy for taking the time to chat with us!! We can only imagine how busy you are with two businesses, teaching yoga and of course, family life with your gorgeous tribe! 

We know you’re passionate about Women’s health and yoga, can you tell us what naturopathic yoga is, and how you apply the principles of naturopathy to yoga?

 

Naturopathic Yoga  (NY) is the meld of my two worlds: The science, physiology and anatomy of Naturopathy with the mindfulness, connection to mind, body and spirit for the yoga aspect.The story behind NY… I was holding a workshop soon after I completed yoga teacher training. First, there was a yoga class followed by a talk on women’s hormones and the menstrual cycle.

The feedback I had from those women was they loved it when I was talking about what was actually happening in the organs or the physiology of the body while they were in a yoga pose. That is where NY was born! I began filming and the voice over I speak while the yoga sequence is going is very much “Naturopathic”.

For example, there are some amazing poses to help someone come out of the stress response and into relaxation. This can be done by explaining the pose firstly, how to move into it, then the breath focus, then, which nerves are relaxing, which muscles are relaxing, and how the nervous system and cardiovascular system respond to each other. Before moving into the next posture.

 

Can you share your top 3 yoga poses specifically for their health benefits?  

My top 3 poses for improving energy would have to be:

1. Downward facing dog.

2. Cobra.

3. Warrior two.

There’s something so amazing about waking up and completing 7 minutes of sun salutations too.

Breath to movement and allowing the full flexibility of the spine first thing in the morning, is what I believe could help us live longer, as well as happier lives (yoga = endorphins baby!!).

 

As naturopath and yoga teacher with a focus on women’s health, we can imagine you come across many clients seeking naturopathic and yoga support for fertility and pregnancy, but what about postpartum depletion? 

With a growing body of information regarding postpartum depletion, we would love to hear your perspective on this issue.

 

This is a whole post in itself. With the way we live here in Australia and developed countries, we tend to be quite isolated. I believe the first step to improving women’s post natal period is to encourage them to join together in community, without judgement or criticism.

I know when I was a first time mum, I had fairly extreme anxiety some days. Then I joined the Australian breastfeeding Association meet ups. It was only once a week, but I looked forward to that day where I felt heard and understood with what my baby and I were going through.

I would love to hold more mums and bubs yoga sessions in the future where nothing is off limits. Stop to cuddle, stop to breastfeed or bottle feed. All feeling welcome, allow some nurture time and time to reflect outside of the house, in a group of like-minded women.

Real life connection, away from our phones is the way forward I believe!

 

Yes to real-life connection! Do you have some simple tips for women experiencing signs of postpartum depletion or wishing to avoid? 

 

• Please make sure you allow people to help you.

• Learn to ask for help.

• Learn to ask people to bring you food, drink, whatever it is you need. You’ve just birthed a HUMAN into the world.

It’s quite possibly one of the most powerfully beautiful moments of life, and due to the huge change it brings on our physical and emotional body, allowing others to care for us is the best way to allow yourself the time to recover in the post natal time.

• Also, seek and find like-minded mum friends.

• Try to let go of those who you don’t feel good around.

• Surround yourself with people who are accepting, even if you’re not the same. It makes a huge difference to your mental health to have someone build you up when you’re a new mum rather than knock you down with criticism.

Give yourself permission not to be perfect. I promise you- even if another mum looks perfect, she still has her days when she loses it! We all do. Give yourself space for grace.

 

 Wow we love that, "Space for Grace". How important is yoga while pregnant/ during the postpartum period?

I’ve often said to other mums – one downward facing dog is better than no downward facing dog.

Yoga is beneficial at any stage of life, but it’s SUPER important for you in the post natal period because hormones are still regulating, parts of you will feel tight (hello lower back, hips and legs) from being pregnant, and other parts might feel that they lack the tightness (the place where your baby used to reside in your belly). Plus, when we are sleep deprived, yoga can help energise us!

Take it really easy, be kind and gentle on yourself.

I place particular emphasis here for women who think they need to look like royalty back into a size 6 within 4 weeks of giving birth. For most women, this is not natural!

So be kind to yourself, focus on feeling good. Feel into the poses and give deep respect and gratitude to your amazing body during this time. Self love goes a long way!

 

Speaking of self love - as a mother and busy professional, would you mind sharing what your daily self-care ritual looks like?

 

I love self care! Believe it or not, I had no idea what it was up until a couple of years ago, (after I had a year of adrenal fatigue post-second baby). It’s something I have learned over time as pure necessity though!

• My mornings these days begin with lighting a candle, some incense or aromatherapy.

• I make a cup of rooibos tea.

• I roll out my yoga mat and sit for around 10-25 mins meditating, breathing, tuning into my heart and what it is I need for the day.

• Some mornings I will write or journal. Often this turns into a huge mantra and future vision session. I’m very futuristic in my thinking so love to dream and create. Writing takes me there before it has already happened.

• Then I will take myself off to a yoga class since my husband can stay with my two kids.

• This early morning ritual for me helps me set my daily intentions. Helps me feel the love and share the love from within. It’s a beautiful “cup filling” practice.

 

If you could give our followers just one piece of game changing self care advice what would it be?  

 

Do something that makes you feel good each day. Self care doesn’t have to mean manicures or pedicures (although they’re very nice).

It can mean getting up just before your kids so you drink a whole cup of warm tea, saying no to a certain event or taking a “mental health day” every once in a while.

We all have the same 24 hours in the day. So carve out just 5-10 mins to begin with, then work your way up from there. I’ve now graduated to taking myself off on retreats 4 times a year so anything is possible!

Wow, yes to starting out with 5-10 minutes even!

We see you recently started teaching at the award-winning Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat, congratulations! 

What’s next for you?   

 

I’m continuing with releasing online Naturopathic Yoga sequences for specific group of the population. The oncology series is next, then auto immune and Kids yoga will be there soon too.

I’m also running my very own retreat in November in Bali from 14-19^th. Cannot wait to showcase all of the Yoga, mindfulness, journaling, women’s health, hormone balance and cultural aspects of Bali with the 20 women I will be meeting over there.

You can follow Amy Mingin and her ventures at: