West Beach Yoga & Nutrition

"Hi! I'm Lauren, a mom of two young boys, a Registered Holistic Nutritionist and

yoga enthusiast."

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Hi everyone, I'm Lauren. I'm a mom to two energetic boys, Registered Holistic Nutritionist (RHN), and exercise/yoga enthusiast.

As a Registered Holistic Nutritionist, I help women in their 40s, 50s, and 60s rebuild their relationship with food and their bodies in a way that supports this stage of life, not fights against it.

Many of my clients come to me feeling frustrated with fatigue, stubborn weight changes, cravings, digestion issues, or simply a sense that what used to work no longer does.

Here's what I hear most often: "I know what I should be doing, but I'm not doing it."

This is what I call the knowing-doing gap, and closing it is at the heart of my work. Most women already have some idea of what "healthy" looks like. What's missing isn't more information; it's figuring out what's actually standing in the way, and building a plan that works with real life instead of against it.

That's why my approach rests on three things:

1. Education around the three S's: Blood Sugar, Sleep, and Stress. These three systems drive so much of what women in this stage of life struggle with: energy, cravings, digestion, body composition, and hormone balance. Understanding how they work together is the foundation everything else is built on.

2. Solid systems and habits: education alone doesn't create change. I teach practical strategies to turn what you know into what you actually do, so healthy choices become automatic instead of something you have to white-knuckle every day.

3. Accountability: coaching sessions where we take an honest look at what's working, what isn't, and why. Not judgment, just support and guidance to achieve your health goals.

My work is guided by my signature FLOURISH Method and delivered through my FLOURISH Program: a 12-week program built around the habits that make the biggest difference for energy, body composition, digestion, hormone health, metabolism, sleep, stress resilience, and healthy aging.

Every client moves through the FLOURISH framework at their own pace. Some breeze through Lift & Move or Sleep, and need more time in the Fuel phase. Others move quickly through nutrition but need extra support Unwinding the Nervous System and building stress resilience. And sometimes a phase that felt solid at the start of the program needs revisiting later. Life happens, something stressful comes up, and sleep or stress coping takes a hit again.

These are the fundamentals of overall health, and none of them can be overlooked. My job is to make sure every piece gets the attention it needs, whenever it needs it and not to rush you through a checklist. The goal is not just to feel better temporarily. The goal is to FLOURISH now and long-term.

As an RYT 200 yoga instructor I love guiding people through their yoga practice and encouraging my students to be present in their breath and bodies, and adjust their practice depending on how they feel in that moment. To me, advanced yoga is paying attention to where you're at that day, and adjusting your yoga practicing accordingly.

NUTRITION & YOGA TRAINING

In December 2012 I earned my Registered Holistic Nutritionist designation from the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition and have been counselling and blogging ever since. Helping others live a healthy lifestyle and accomplish their goals is my passion.

I completed my RYT 200 hour teacher training at Empower Me Yoga in June 2018. It was an incredible, but challenging 4 months. I overcame fears and found strength I didn't know I had. Every weekend and evening that I left my husband, and two young sons I knew it would be worth it in the end.

ADDITIONAL TRAINING

AN115 Advanced Course in Detoxification October 2013
Sun Salutation Workshop with Brittany Bryden 2018
The Art of Assists and Adjustments Workshop with Tiffany Harris 2019
Arm Balance Workshop with Katie Laferriere 2019

NUTRITION PHILOSOPHY

My mission is to help women in their 40s, 50s, and 60s achieve their health goals, feel strong in their bodies, and live a healthy, balanced life—without diets. I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all nutrition. Every woman is unique, and her approach to food and health should reflect that. More often than not, what’s happening with food is connected to something deeper - stress, habits, hormones, emotions, or a season of life. My role is to build trust, understand the full picture, and guide you through the FLOURISH program so we can uncover what truly supports your body and long-term health.

TEACHING STYLE

Embodied; I’m right there with you in the poses. Breath-focused; if you’re holding your breath, you’re not doing yoga - use breath to fuel the body and keep the mind focused, and present. Authentic. Creative. Evolving. Present, Not Perfect. Mindfulness-Focused. My classes play with the idea of yin and yang; there are relaxing and challenging poses throughout the class.

BEFORE YOGA & NUTRITION

After graduating from the University of Western Ontario in 2005, I worked in the corporate world of downtown Toronto, but decided it wasn't for me. I quit my job, traveled with my husband across South America and the Caribbean while studying to become a Registered Holistic Nutritionist.

Then along came our first son Jack, a move to Ottawa and a year later, our other son, Max! During those years, between dirty diapers, breastfeeding and playgroups, I would often think about what I wanted to do when I went back to work. I always envisioned myself doing something that I love, while also helping others. Now my dream has become a reality, and there is no looking back.

In my spare time, I love spending time outdoors and being active with my family and friends. I love to plan and cook delicious healthy meals, and I aim to find time for physical activity every day.

Movement is medicine! I love doing at-home workouts or leading yoga classes. Self-care is not selfish, and I'm most effective at work and taking care of my family when I take care of myself. I make time for myself every morning, getting up at 5am to exercise and mentally prepare for the day, which helps me start my day with gratitude and positive energy.

Favourite Mantras

Discipline is self-love.

Replace the phrase "I have to" with "I get to"

The more you know, the more you realize you don't know.

Take it one day at a time.

If you don't change anything, you don't change anything.

Favourite Quotes

Courage is not a feeling. Courage is a noun, the strength to go forward even in the face of fear.

“If it’s your job to eat a frog, it’s best to do it first thing in the morning. And If it’s your job to eat two frogs, it’s best to eat the biggest one first.” - Mark Twain