Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexandra Vaughn.
Hi Alexandra, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in pink tights and ballet slippers. As I continued to dance throughout the years, it remained a passion but never a profession. The Millennial in me felt drawn to corporate life after college, and I created a successful career in branding and marketing. Having children, however, ignited a new personal mission in me to serve my community and women building their own families. So, with my faith and a strong gut feeling, I left my hard-earned career and dug deeper into what I could offer women as they journey into motherhood.
I quickly decided to focus on perinatal exercise given my own appreciation for the art and science of movement. Also, when I became pregnant with my first son, I was puzzled by the dearth of credible information on safe, effective exercise during pregnancy and afterward. Even expert teachers I admired admitted to knowing very little about how to coach a pregnant or postpartum woman. And as most women can attest to, very few doctors (nor Dr. Google) can provide clear, actionable guidance either.
I created my business NAVE to elucidate how women can safely strengthen their bodies and wellbeing during pregnancy and in the days, months and years following. I envisioned it as “sanctuary” — whether physical or metaphorical — where women could honor their bodies, feel safe in them and take heart in knowing they were following evidence-based guidance. I studied the physiology of pregnancy and postpartum and how movement can support perinatal transformation, and I became certified in pre/postnatal corrective exercise by Fit For Birth with specialization in pelvic floor functionality.
The crux of what I teach now is functional movement tailored to the perinatal experience, and what underlies this is breath awareness and mechanics, which steer the motion of the deep core and pelvic floor, but also our nervous system and wellbeing at large — including our immune, lymphatic, digestive and reproductive systems, to name a few. This is the part I love most about what I do: supporting the whole woman and giving her tools, encouragement and love to feel more peaceful and confident in her life, whether she’s lifting weights, her babies or taking a moment to breathe deeply.
Today, I coach women privately in their homes and on Zoom. I also teach small group classes at Austin Yoga Lounge, a perinatal movement studio and beautiful community, and at My Gym, a children’s gym that offers mama workouts while the kids play!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The need for perinatal education and support is boundless, and I find myself dreaming of all the many ways I could do more to support this community. But I also am raising two boys and care deeply about being present for them. My biggest struggle is one any parent can relate to — how to dedicate myself to other missions beyond my children in a way that adds to their lives and doesn’t take away from them.
What’s amazing about my “work” world is that it’s made up of women who want the same thing, and we support each other mutually. I couldn’t ask for a better way to spend my working hours than with the inspiring women who teach and ground me with their own experiences and wisdom.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I use evidence-based approaches to help women exercise safely and confidently during preconception, pregnancy, postpartum and beyond. Moreover, the knowledge they glean from our trainings permeates their daily life, guiding them through how to engage their core as they get in and out of bed, carry groceries, pick up their babies, sit at a desk, walk and run, and more. This daily integration is what transforms how they feel in their bodies as their lives adjust to motherhood. When I can help mamas feel more capable and resilient in their day-to-day lives, I feel we’ve accomplished our ultimate goal!
My style of training is unique in that it’s a fusion of several movement modalities I love; functional movement, Pilates and barre are the ones I pull from the most. But no matter what moves I’m choreographing, I’m guiding my clients to focus on their breath, posture, pelvic floor and core engagement. These elements are ever-present in my cueing.
I also teach labor preparation classes that guide women on how to use their breath and movement to optimally position the baby prior to and during labor, aiding the baby’s descent and ultimately pushing, while limiting tearing or pelvic floor trauma.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
Mamas can work with me in-person or virtually if they’re interested in private and small-group trainings. I also teach weekly pre- and postnatal strength training classes at Austin Yoga Lounge, a wonderful community that offers a variety of movement and education specifically for perinatal women. Here at AYL is where I currently offer those labor preparation workshops quarterly, which focus on breathing and movement strategies to support each stage of labor, aimed at reducing risk of tearing and pelvic floor trauma.
And at My Gym, a children’s gym in South Austin, I teach to mamas — whether pregnant or years beyond birth — who are welcome to bring their kids to play with My Gym coaches while we work out!
I love working with women however they’re able and interested in showing up! I offer free discovery calls via my website, and I’m easy to find on email or Instagram.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.navewell.com
- Instagram: navewell
- Facebook: navewell
Image Credits
Ryan Andrews (https://www.ryanandrewsphotography.com/) – headshot
Camille Adriane (https://www.camilleadrianephotography.com/) – photos in Austin Yoga Lounge studio
