Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Winick
Michelle, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
During pregnancy, I experienced “hyperemesis gravidarum” – which is a fancy medical way to say I was getting sick all the time (and I mean ALL the time). I tried everything from prescription medications to holistic remedies. Nothing seemed to help. My one haven of relief was prenatal yoga. I’ve always loved the yoga studio environment and have been an avid fan my entire life. Sadly, hot yoga is not safe during pregnancy due to increased risk of neural tube defects and other complications to the baby. I needed to find a studio that was dedicated specifically to prenatal yoga, where teachers would be able to safely guide me (and my baby) through a yoga class. You’d think in a big city like Dallas this would be an easy find. It was not.
And that was my “a-ha” moment. After the birth of my son, I knew I wanted to do something different with my career after the last five years as an infectious disease epidemiologist. I had spent my entire higher education career achieving milestones – Bachelor of Science in biology and a Master’s in Public Health. But I had to listen to my inner voice that was telling me that I needed a change in my life. I wanted to create a safe space that was purely dedicated to prenatal and postpartum yoga.
Although I felt overwhelmed at the prospect of such a big career change, I also felt inspired. I completed a yoga teacher training course followed by specific prenatal yoga certification. I dove into every prenatal and postpartum yoga education course I could, as well as digging into independent research from the best resources out there.
Feeling inspired, educated and excited – I started my own prenatal yoga company called “Sun Rabbit Yoga.” The focus is on pregnant parents and preparation for an easy labor and childbirth through the physical movement of yoga and utilizing the breath with meditation. My goal was to make expectant parents feel empowered and give them the resources that I wish I had before my childbirth.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has not always been a smooth road & it has not been a straight path either. Like any parent, the challenge lies in balancing work, personal life, my little one – and that’s just Monday! Remaining grounded in the present moment and fully enjoying time when I am with my son and husband has helped to allow me to find the time needed to devote to my business. Sometimes while I’m practicing poses and thinking of new yoga sequences, my son comes next to me and practices on the mat. And that’s what it’s all about – setting that example to him. But it’s true the saying “no one is as tired as a mompreneur.” There are days where I feel exhausted to the bone and feel like that never ending to do list keeps growing. But I then remember to practice those calming meditation breaths that I teach expecting moms!
We’ve been impressed with Sun Rabbit Yoga, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I’m proud to be able to help moms find relief and relaxation through prenatal and postpartum yoga. My work centers around helping expectant parents find relief and relaxation through prenatal and postpartum yoga. Whether they suffer from back pain or any other physical, emotional or mental pregnancy related stressor – I truly believe a consistent practice in yoga can be beneficial. It is so rewarding to be able to spend time with a mom and help them heal and find a better place of overall wellbeing through prenatal yoga. It’s amazing to see parents also form a deeper connection with their growing baby. There is a reason why every OBGYN recommends prenatal yoga! Being able to offer private sessions, small group classes and couples prenatal yoga allows expectant moms to experience yoga in a new way that accommodates their changing body. It helps create a healthier mindset around their pregnancy journey and the effects have been proven to reduce postpartum depression. I love that there are benefits for prenatal and, something commonly overlooked, postpartum yoga. I focus on new moms working on breathwork and gently engaging their abdomen to aid in the recovery process to help them regain their energy and their overall sense of wellbeing.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
I hope that in the future positive changes will occur in the direction of progress for women’s reproductive health and family planning. Unfortunately, in today’s world, insurance companies drive a lot of standard setting in the healthcare field, especially related to pregnancy. I would truly hope that one day prenatal yoga can be covered under insurance as it’s benefits have been long studied and revered. Write me a prescription for a prenatal yoga class over a prescription for medicine.
I hope that when a mother gives birth, she will not have to go out on short term disability as a child should never be labeled as a disability. I hope women will not face discrimination in the workplace being pressured to return to work. Even if you physically can go back into an office setting, often the mental, emotional and spiritual self is not yet ready & still healing from this major life event.
Sun Rabbit Yoga will be opening a new Dallas studio in 2025, and we hope that all expectant parents can join us in preparation for the most amazing, beautiful and fulfilling time of their lives!
Pricing:
- Single Class 30
- Private Session 150
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sunrabbityoga.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sun.rabbit.yoga/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566263504717
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/sun-rabbit-yoga-dallas?osq=Sun+Rabbit+Yoga
