About

‘Go Slow Mama’ is the home for the soulful healing adventures of all mothers who want to get back to a creative practice or simply to a slower pace that allows for a deeper connection to your experience of mothering. I like the idea of having a relationship with creativity that is on the slow side, like my drawing practice which is about process and not the final product. My workshops and groups are a supportive way back to your voice.

I am a singer-songwriter and mother based in Toronto, Canada. I create workshops for new mothers that combine creativity and community connection as a way to navigate the early days of motherhood and beyond.

I have worked as an RMT for over 30 years with a focus on perinatal massage and especially postpartum care when mothers often become invisible and isolated. I see creativity as a key to the motherhood journey and as a way to own one’s own experience and reconnect with community. I believe that motherhood is a work in progress, curated by the mother herself.

My music and songwriting were a way for me to navigate the early days of motherhood which helped to make sense of my new identity. Writing has been a healing balm on my motherhood trip — showing up in songwriting, poetry, journaling and in groups writing with other mothers.

Here are some of the things I’m offering at the moment:

Write on Mama

Dearest Anxiety (a collaboration with Nina K Moore)

Birth Story Poems

Go Slow Mama ~ a 4 wk session for new mothers

Deep Relaxation Massage

RMT background:

I graduated from Kikkawa College for Massage Therapy in 1988. My massage therapy practice is rooted in deep relaxation and stress reduction and I have been known for my specialty in perinatal massage and baby massage instruction.

I’ve completed specialized courses in perinatal massage and baby massage with Trimester Massage Therapy Education, including training as a labour and postpartum doula. I have extensive experience teaching baby massage, having coached hundreds of new parents in workshops in a wide variety of settings across the GTA including, Baby and Me; Centre for Growing Families with Sasha Padron; Ella Center for Parenting and Pregnancy; Jill and the Beanstalk; Ontario Early years Center; North Liberty Studio; The Stop; Surrey Place Centre; Whole Play, Yoga Space and The Annex Clinic. From this experience, I created a 4 week series for new mothers that combines the Art of Baby Massage, creative writing, relaxation and a look at lullabies and the family songbook.

I’ve worked as an RMT for The Annex Clinic, Sutherland and Chan, The Hand and Stone, Claudia Saltzman and Healthwinds Spa. I had a private practice at The Toronto Healing Arts Centre and a home-based practice in the years in between. Currently, I work in the Dufferin & College area in Toronto, in my home practice and at Laya Spa and Yoga on Queen St West.

For more info:
laurarepodavis at gmail dot com