The course starts with the basics: understanding the different layers of the pelvic floor and learning how something as simple as abdominal breathing can support both activation and relaxation. It’s informative as well as empowering.

We trained together as a group, supporting each other and sharing experiences — and yes, babies were welcome, too! I felt incredibly safe, understood, and well-guided throughout the sessions. Yessica creates such a warm and inclusive atmosphere, and the fact that the course is held mainly in English makes it accessible for everyone, locals and expats. So maybe you don’t only find your strengt again or the one or other new mom friend 🙂

The class is perfect for anyone who’s been cleared by their doctor for pelvic floor training 6 to 10 weeks after giving birth and wants to gently regain strength in a supportive group setting.

Yessica is a wonderful warm and understanding person. As she has been living in Cape Town, South Africa, before she started her family, she knows how demanding expat life can be thus she has a very open ear for everything international

Practical info about the Pelvic Floor course:

• When: The next course in English starts on Wednesday, June 25 from 10:00 – 11:00 AM, 6 Sessions

• Where: Maybachstraße 9, 70771 Leinfelden-E. (with changing rooms and showers available)

• What to bring: Comfortable clothes, clean indoor shoes, a towel, and water

• Costs: 90 Euro (Please note that the course is not covered by German health insurance as this is not your “normal” postnatal workout)

You can get in touch with Yessica via email or through the contact form on her website.

If you’re in the area and looking for a thoughtful, well-rounded way to reconnect with your body postpartum, I can genuinely recommend this course from personal experience. You’ll leave each session feeling stronger — physically and emotionally.

More information

Yessica’s website www.mami-gesundheit.de (only in German but the course will be held mainly in English)

The post My Experience with “MAMI-Fit Pelvic Floor Course” in Leinfelden appeared first on Living in Stuttgart.

So when I heard about this upcoming Postnatal Retreat hosted by Westality on May 3rd at the Marriott in Sindelfingen, from my friend Martina, who will contribute as a breath work teacher, it really caught my eye.

What is Westality’s Postnatal Retreat all about?

It’s a one-day event designed for both new and expecting parents. Think gentle yoga, breathing techniques, workshops on things like nutrition, mental health, parenting, and even a space specifically for dads to connect. There’s no pressure to have it all together—just a chance to breathe, move your body a bit, and talk to people who get what you’re going through.

The timeline in a nutshell

The Westality Postnatal Retreat begins with a welcoming session, followed by a morning on postnatal health, nutrition, mental well-being, special relaxing massageand introductions.

Midday brings expert-led workshops on cooking workshops, breathwork and fitness with baby with lunch and casual networking in between.

The afternoon includes special breakout sessions—like one just for dads—and opportunities to connect with local wellness providers. The day wraps up with a group reflection and grounding practice.

The vibe seems very down-to-earth. It’s not about being the “perfect” parent, but rather about taking a day to check in with yourself and maybe connect with others going through similar things.

Why it is a treat for Expat parents in and around Stuttgart

When you’re parenting in a foreign country, it’s easy to feel like you’re doing it all on your own. This retreat can be a gentle way to find a bit of community, learn something useful, and  just have a few hours to focus on you.

Details at a glance:

When: Saturday, May 3rd, 2025

Time: 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM

Where: Stuttgart Marriott Hotel, Sindelfingen

Tickets: There are different options, including a half-day pass

Litte extra: All attendees will have a chance to win prizes as Melissa’s nutrition consultation and Mom & Baby Petite Photoshoot by Becca Allen Photography.

If you end up going, let me know!

More information

Westalityway Postnatal Retreat

Westalityway on Instagram

Westalityway on Facebook

The post Westality’s Postnatal Retreat for Expats in Stuttgart appeared first on Living in Stuttgart.

The post Back after baby break appeared first on Living in Stuttgart.

Maybe you remember my last post back in November 2021, where I shared the news that we are expecting or second baby (if not, you can find it here.) Ever since I haven’t been much active, blogging-wise. And I have missed it so much. I love sharing my love for Stuttgart with you guys, keeping you up to date about what’s going on and giving some local tips.

Pregnant in Stuttgart: Maternity sickness and co.

But this second pregnancy has been really tough. I can count the weeks were I felt healthy and strong on one hand. It all started with a severe maternity sickness that lastet for over 10 (ten!!) weeks and on most days I only managed to leave the bed to go to the bathroom to throw up. I felt extremely weak and miserable.

And when the maternity sickness started to fade away, the Kita bug season started. I caught every single infection our little girl brought home from her playgroup. And while she suffered from it just a few days, every single one hit me quite hard. I guess that’s because your immune system is low during pregnancy. So in the end I had five infections that lastet between one and two weeks each. Ufff….

Well, and the third trimester brought the normal tiredness and pregnancy problems that it holds in stock for most moms-to-be. I could sleep all day but after one hour of lying down either my hips hurt or I need to get up to pee – or both 😀

Pregnant in Stuttgart: Balancing work, family and health

So I had to make a decision where to step down a bit in order to manage my energy level throughout my pregnancy as well as I could. Obviously there is the little one and she is priority number one.

Then there are my clients: my German conversation group clients as well as the clients that book my Local Buddy Service. I didn’t want to let down any of them so it was a priority to keep on working with them for as long as I could. So the only part of my work I could cut short was the blog. My heart was bleeding.

Now, as I am approaching the end of the pregnancy, I am super nervous and excited to find out how life as a mom of two will be. I talked a lot to friends how already have more than one kid, I read books about raising siblings (I am the only child in my family so I have no personal experiences!) and did as much research as I could about what to expect the first days and weeks. But of course you can prepare yourself that much but in the end your reality might be very different to everything you are expecting. So I try to be as relaxed (haha, as if! :-)) and open to everything that comes our way as I can.

Pregnant in Stuttgart in times of Covid – let’s talk about mental health for a second…

During this second pregnancy I was not only feeling miserable because of the sicknesses. I was very low at some points mentally too. And I think it is very important to talk about that openly. When you follow influencer moms on Social Media you can get the impression mom life is super easy. They look happy on every picture, dressed up as if they do nothing all day but brush their hair and put on make up. BUT THAT’S NOT REAL! Well, maybe for some moms it is and bless them, they are lucky. But it is not the reality for others, me included. Mom life can be tough. Being a pregnant mom can be much tougher. Being a pregnant mom in the middle of a pandemic… well, I found it extremely hard and I have learned from many conversations that I am not the only one. So that’s why I want to address this topic here on the blog.

My friend Anne from fannetastic food (who had shared a very open post about life as a new mom of two on her blog a while ago) has sent me two really helpful books: Waiting for Birdy and Motherwhelmed [both affiliate links to amazon]. They both deal with exactly the topics I am dealing with myself at the moment. There were many, MANY times during this second pregnancy where I felt totally overwhelmed (or let’s say motherwhelmed :-)). The sicknesses, the Covid situation that made it hard to meet other people, my work… everything just seemed too much sometimes. Talking to friends and reading those books helped me tremendously. It made me see that I am not the only one who is struggling during her second pregnancy, especially in times of Covid. If you are in a similar situation I can only recommend talking about it! With friends, family members and professionals. I also included my midwife at some point, when I was really really low.

Mom life is tough. Period. We don’t need to pretend we aren’t struggling when in reality we really are. Speaking openly about how you’re feeling doesn’t only help you and your situation. It also helps others as it takes away the pressure to be the perfect mom on the outside when at the same side, you’re burned out on the inside. So this is a big YES to more honesty on blogs and social media! We moms are great! But we are allowed to feel motherwhelmed, tired, sad… you name it, from time to time!

Outlook on life as a mom of two

This hasn’t been your usual “oh pregnancy is SO great and wonderful” post, has it 🙂 I have to admit myself that I feel a bit sad when I think about this pregnancy and that it wasn’t as joyful and easy as my first one was. I have a bit of a bad conscience towards the baby because I feel he deserves the best and that also includes a happy pregnancy. It is a bit crazy, I know 🙂 But on the other hand I am SO happy and thankful for this pregnancy because it will bring this little boy into our lives. The most amazing gift life can give you. And yes, I am nervous about how life will be with two kids. My heart starts bleeding when I think of my little girl feeling jealous or sad because she isn’t the center of everything anymore once the baby is there. But at the same time I am SO grateful and happy for her that she does not have to grow up as the only child. You see, I have very mixed and confusing feelings here 🙂 But I know that everything will turn out great in the end. And that’s why I can’t wait for this little boy to arrive in our lives and for us to start this new chapter!

Workwise, I really really hope I will find my strength and creativity again in late spring or summer to start blogging on a regular basis again. I have SO many ideas for new posts 🙂 Next to my weekly articles about what’s up in Stuttgart I would like to share more insider tips and also more tips especially for families. And then there is the guide book “Highlights and Hidden Gems of Stuttgart” on which I am working FOR AGES and which is nearly finished. So I hope I can publish it this summer! Stay tuned for that, it will be awesome! Packed with SO MANY insider tips, many of them are not even known by most locals.

If you have read until here: you are amazing, thank you 🙂 If you are a mom of two or more or pregnant at the moment and can relate to some of the experiences I wrote about today, please feel free to share your thoughts with me in the comments.

And to all moms out there: We’ve got this! Chaka! 🙂

The post Pregnancy update: Pregnant in Stuttgart with baby # 2 appeared first on Living in Stuttgart.

Today I would like to introduce a company that is very dear to me: Gravidamiga. Gravidamiga offers services that you don’t find very often in Stuttgart: services in English for expecting moms and new moms in Stuttgart and the area.

Being pregnant is always an emotional rollercoaster. But being pregnant or a new mom in a foreign country – oh boy. Kira Neumann and Dr. Christine Krämer noticed that even though there are many groups, courses etc. for German moms, moms that don’t speak the language have to look hard to find a place of support. So they founded Gravidamiga.

Their services include pregnancy yoga, birth preparation, mom meetups, introducing solids workshops and much more. Some courses that are coming up this November in Stuttgart are:

• Me Time for Mom. A great way to meet other moms, relax a bit and become creative. In this 3 hour workshop on November 13 you will find your Mojo again, relax and rewind while practicing some yoga and learn about German Christmas traditions and even make your own Advent wreath.
• Let’s socialize – Gravidamiga goes neighborhood. On November 18 you will visit two fun places for parents and kids in Stuttgart-Vaihingen: My Pilates Place and Children’s English Library

I have been in touch with Gravidamiga for years and always point out the one or other event in my monthly “What’s-up-in-Stuttgart”-posts. Today I thought it is time to fully introduce this lovely company to you 🙂

The post Support for English speaking moms in Stuttgart by Gravidamiga appeared first on Living in Stuttgart.

[non-paid advertisement as I point out a great business owned by an Expat in Stuttgart]

I was SO excited when Heli, the lovely owner of My Pilates Place (and a dear friend since 2018 when she moved to Stuttgart and booked my Local Buddy Service) told me that she has finally found a place for her equipment Pilates studio. I have tried Pilates before but never with equipment. All I’ve heard about equipment Pilates classes sounded great so I was eager to try it myself. I booked a private introductory session last Monday with Heli and was very excited.

My Pilates Place is located right in the center of Stuttgart-Vaihingen, at Hauptstraße 19 (same building as Children’s English Library is in) and can thus be reached easily with public transport (Bus stop and U-Bahn stop Vaihingen Schillerplatz are close by). When you arrive by car, the public garage at Schwagengalerie is a good option.

Heli welcomed me at the door of her studio and showed me around. There is a lovely little waiting area when you enter the studio, then a room with the Pilates equipment and finally a changing room and toilet. I changed into my workout clothes and was ready for the session.

We started on a device called the Cadillac where Heli showed me some exercises that are good for the lower back, the upper back and pelvis. It felt SO good working out again after such a long time (well, I have been running during the winter months to stay active but working on your strength and your muscles is definitely something else).

Then we moved to the reformer. As it was my first time working with Pilates equipment I needed to find out how to use it. But here comes Heli’s great guidance into play. She is a very ensuring and professional teacher who guides you through all the exercises with good care and a lot of empathy.

I ended up LOVING the reformer. I felt that I have been working with muscles that I haven’t used properly for a while but I never felt overwhelmed during the training. Plus, it is quite a funny feeling using it – you have to try if for yourself!

Time flew and when my 50 minutes session was over I thought I was working with Heli for only 10 minutes.

What can I say? The Pilates bug has bit me 🙂 I couldn’t imagine what a difference it makes using the Pilates equipment compared to a “normal” Pilates class. I’ve decided to continue working with Heli at My Pilates Place on a regular basis and a mix of private sessions and small group equipment classes (maximum 3 trainees! That is nearly private, too, isn’t it :-)) So maybe I see you in my next class?! 😀

Oh, and by the way: This is wonderful Heli from My Pilates Place in Stuttgart-Vaihingen without a mask 🙂

More information:

My Pilates Place in Stuttgart-Vaihingen
Private sessions and small group equipment classes with a maximum of 3 trainees.
All classes are given in English.

Hauptstraße 19
70563 Stuttgart
Tel: 0178-261-1180 (also on WhatsApp & Signal)
Email: hallo@mypilatesplace.de

www.mypilatesplace.de

The post Tested: Equipment Pilates classes in Stuttgart-Vaihingen at “My Pilates Place” appeared first on Living in Stuttgart.

• This is something for all my American readers: On July 2 you can learn how to prepare the perfect July 4th snack at Snack-a-Vaganza on youtube. The event is organized by d.a.i Tübingen.
• On July 2 you can also check out the Tour of Hope. The live stream will bring the work of DJ Jens Herzberg, mainly House and Techno, from the rooftop terrace of Stuttgart Library directly into your living room (or where ever you might be :-)) You can follow the event here youtube.de/stadtbibliothekstuttgartyt
• Between July 14 and 18 you can join the nature film festival Natur Vision online. You can dive into a variation of topics while watching “Beauty and the Bees”, “Bikes vs. Cars” or “Chicks on Boards” to name just a few.
• Between July 21 and 25 the Indian Film Festival Stuttgart will also be celebrated online. The festival pass (18 Euro) allows you to watch current feature films, short films and documentaries from all over India for five days at home.
• Meet other English speakers around the globe virtually on July 12 at Stammtisch Transatlantik.
• The book club of DAZ (Deutsch Amerikanische Zentrum) will meet online on Zoom on July 22 in order to discuss “Night Sky with Exit Wounds” by Ocean Vuong.

But it is summer and of course we don’t want to sit at home in front of a computer all day. So: Get out there! 😀

• All the public outdoor pools of Stuttgart and the area are open now. You have to buy your ticket online in advance. In order to avoid the crowds you might consider going in the morning.
• In my last post on the blog I have pointed out 4 fun outings for families with toddlers. In this article I share my 3 favorite short walks and a highlight of Stuttgart with you.
• Any hikers here? Check out the hikes in the area of Leinfelden-Echterdingen! The city has published two hiking guide books in English which you can download free of charge: Refreshing Walks and Idyllic Recreation at Siebenmühlental. Don’t be astonished when you check out the cover of the first guide book and think the lady on the picture looks familiar – I am the co-author 🙂
• Another great hiking trail is Herzog-Jäger-Pfad at Waldenbuch. You find a virtual map here.

Have a great July in Stuttgart (or anywhere in the world :-)) and stay safe and healthy!

PS: Please note, this post contains links to fun activities. I did not get paid to mention them or link to them. The selection of events provided here is based on my personal research.

VIP Sponsors

A big THANK YOU to the sponsors of Living in Stuttgart! Without their support it would not be possible to run this source of information for the International community in Stuttgart. You can support this blog by giving theses companies a visit and considering benefiting from their services.

The post July in Stuttgart – Corona edition appeared first on Living in Stuttgart.

We try to go on an “adventure” every week. This doesn’t have to be something super special but it takes us out of the area where we live and exposes us to new impressions and experiences. Here come my favorite places to go at the moment.

1 – Camels at Weil im Schönbuch

We LOVE to visit the camels at camel farm Weil im Schönbuch. It is a lovely hike from the car park to the enclosure. Most of the trails are paved. Only a short part leads you down to a small pond isn’t paved but it is manageable with the stroller, too.

It is an easy 3 km walk that takes us around 1.5 hours to complete (with a snack break on a bench and a stop at the enclosure to check out the camels). You even pass the pretty tree top houses of Oase Weil.

At the moment this is our most favorite excursion for small children in Stuttgart. Here comes a link to google maps .

2 – The beginning of Herzog-Jäger-Trail at Waldenbuch

Herzog-Jäger-Pfad is one of the most beautiful hiking trails in the area. It even got rewarded “Premium Hiking Trail”. The whole trail covers 13 km and is thus way to long for our little one. But we like doing just the beginning of it and ad our own little extra loop which brings us to a small historic house.

At first you walk through the forest and then you you arrive at a large meadow with wild flowers. Perfect for kids to go explore. There is even a huge Sequoya/Redwood Tree close by. Quite a sight for little children 🙂

Here comes a link to google maps that shows you how we walk.

3 – Donkey Mill at Leinfelden-Echterdingen

The Eselsmühle (Donkey Mill) at Musberg/Leinfelden-Echterdingen is one of our all-time favorites. It is a short walk from the car park on a paved road to the mill. There you find donkeys and chicken as well as a little shop with organic produces and a café.

Here comes the link to google maps.

4 – Wilhelma – Stuttgart’s zoo and botanical garden

A zoo is always a good idea 🙂 The Wilhelma in Stuttgart is not only a zoo but also a botanical garden with thousands of beautiful plants and flowers. Plus, the historic buildings will enchant you as well.

After it was closed for such a long time because of covid I was super eager to go there with the little one two weeks ago. And what can I say, even though the weather wasn’t great we still had a wonderful time. As always 🙂

These are our 4 favorite outings for small children in Stuttgart. What are yours?

VIP Sponsors

A big THANK YOU to the sponsors of Living in Stuttgart! Without their support it would not be possible to run this source of information for the International community in Stuttgart. You can support this blog by giving theses companies a visit and considering benefiting from their services.

The post My 4 favorite short excursions for small children in Stuttgart appeared first on Living in Stuttgart.

So that’s why this post about events this June in Stuttgart is still a Corona edition where I point out mainly online events or things to do where you don’t have contact with many people.

• June is LGBTQ+ Pride Month. Of course things will be different this year as there can’t be parades or parties but CSD Stuttgart has still organized a lot of great events, most of them online of course.
• The public outdoor pools in Stuttgart are now open! In order to purchase a ticket you have to sign in here and then buy the e-ticket here. You have to select the bath you want to go to and one of the two time frames (morning or afternoon). You have to bring a negative Corona test or show proof that you are fully vaccinated or recovered.
• The local tour provider “Stuttgarter Stäffele Tour” now offers an City Quest Tour in English where you discover Stuttgart by yourself/with friends while solving exciting challenges.
• The Wilhelma, our local zoo, has opened its gates again. You can enjoy all the outdoor attractions with a Corona-Schnelltest/Rapid Test that is not older than 24 hours. Please book your ticket online in advance.
• Filmtage Tübingen celebrates Cine Latino online between June 3 and 16.
• Take part in the fun social media event of “Das Stuttgarter Ballet Jung”, the young branch of the famous Stuttgart ballett. Film yourself performing to a song that was especially produced for this online event. Then write to expressyourself@staatstheater-stuttgart.de and you will get an upload link for your video. Hand it in before June 6 and become part of a fun music video.
• On June 7 the New English American Theatre NEAT will perform Sunflower Skeleton by Allen Ginsberg online on youtube.
• It is virtuell board game night on June 17!
• Do you want to try watercolor painting? Then join the free workshop of vhs international on June 18 via Zoom.
• Stuttgart Expats will organize a Scavenger Hunt on June 19.
• On June 23 you can join the online discussion #Love is Love! LGBTQ+ which is focusing on the challenges of adolescence LGBTQ+ youth.
• The book club of DAZ (Deutsch Amerikanisches Zentrum) will discuss Interior Chinatown by Charles Yu on June 24.

Have a great June and stay safe and healthy!

PS: Please note, this post contains links to fun activities. I did not get paid to mention them or link to them. The selection of events provided here is based on my personal research.

VIP Sponsors

A big THANK YOU to the sponsors of Living in Stuttgart! Without their support it would not be possible to run this source of information for the International community in Stuttgart. You can support this blog by giving theses companies a visit and considering benefiting from their services.

The post What’s up this June in Stuttgart – Corona edition appeared first on Living in Stuttgart.

• The New English American Theater will perform the one-act play  True Dylan which is based on a interview with the musician on youtube on May 3.
• Join the virtuell lecture “Irony and Outrage: The Polarized Landscape of Rage, Fear, and Laughter in the U.S”, organized by DAZ on May 4.
• The beloved Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film can only take place online this year from May 4 to 9. Next to films and games one additional offer is the ITFS VR Hub, which will bring the Festival feeling to a digital Schlossplatz.
• On May 7 you can join a multimedia exploration of popular literature and film with d.a.i.-teacher Scott Stelle. This month’s topic: the thin borderline between the law through works of fiction, true crime and film.
• On May 11 you can join an online presentation and discussion about guns and gun control in the US.
• Calling all book lovers: On May 14 you can participate in the virtuell book discussion about Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell, a fictionalized story of William Shakespeare and his wife Agnes and the death of their son Hamnet.
• d.a.i. Tübingen organizes a virtuell boardgame night on May 20.
• The DAZ book club meets virtually on May 20 to discuss “The Undocumented Americans” by Karla Cornejo Villavicencio.

VIP Sponsors

A big THANK YOU to the sponsors of Living in Stuttgart! Without their support it would not be possible to run this source of information for the International community in Stuttgart. You can support this blog by giving theses companies a visit and considering benefiting from their services.

The post What’s up this May in Stuttgart – still a Corona edition… appeared first on Living in Stuttgart.