Meet Transfor{M}ama :: The Newest Mom Space in Midtown

Thank you to Transfor{M}ama for partnering with Memphis Moms Blog and serving ALL the moms of Memphis. All opinions are 100% my own.

What is Transfor{M}ama?

Transfor{M}ama is the ultimate mixed-use-space for moms. The Work and Play Studio is an area of networking, collaboration, and support for local mothers. It is located at 2256 Central Avenue and holds that cozy-yet-modern, Midtown feel – painted wood floors and brick walls included. The Studio will house fitness classes provided by FIT4MOM-Memphis. Fit4Baby, Body Back, and Stroller Strides/Stroller Barre are classes designed for women, targeting specific stages of their pre- and postnatal bodies. There are also plans to add prenatal yoga in the fall.

The space is divided into two main sections: The Nest and The Studio. The Nest is a haven for mothers, providing a judgment-free zone and support for all stages of motherhood. The morning time functions as “play” hours, filled with scheduled parent/child enrichment classes, FIT4MOM fitness classes, and other interactive, educational play. Mothers can use this time to bond with their child, meet new moms, or catch up on business-related tasks. Childcare is not provided, but a safe, learning environment for your kiddos can be counted on. Parent/child enrichment classes include, First Steps in Classical Music, Zumbini, and Bilingual Beginnings (a Spanish Immersion class).

MMB’s contributor, Michelle, recently took her music-loving baby boy to try out their newest class, “Zumbini”. This adorable class is offered on Saturdays mornings and Tuesday afternoons for kids aged 0-4 and their parents. Michelle and her little guy had a great experience. She loved how encouraging the instructors were to the parents in allowing their little ones to roam and explore as they pleased. The best part was that she didn’t have to chase her tiny dancing tornado with his every move! All the kids loved singing and clapping to the beat and playing with instruments, as well as interacting with all the other children. No experience was necessary. None of the moms were professional dancers and Michelle loved that it truly felt judgment free.

Afternoon time is reserved as “work” hours. 12:00pm-5:00pm is set aside to provide work-from-home mothers a space to conduct their business. With the majority of classes and events taking place in the mornings, the afternoon allows for a quiet, relaxing atmosphere away from the hustle and bustle of coffee shops and cafes.

Ample desk and communal workspaces are available to utilize for business-related needs (meetings, research, interviews). One of Transfor{M}ama’s missions is to provide a haven to escape the chaos of motherhood and regain a sense of self. (Yes please!)

I went by one afternoon to work. There were several computers lying around, soft music playing, and a yummy scented candle burning. It was so nice and refreshing to be able to sit in the quiet and get some work done. I didn’t have my kids with me, but there is a train table and access to WIFI if I had to bring them in. I will say that the space is pretty open, there are some stairs, and since the afternoons are catering to work-from-home moms, I wouldn’t bring my kids under age 2 or so. Once they’re bigger and will sit and watch something or play quietly by themselves, it would be easier to let them tag along.

The Work & Play Studio is membership-driven. Packages are available based on hours of usage per month. Members will receive discounts on facility rentals for events and studio merchandise, plus will have access to monthly members-only events (i.e. family happy hours, rainy day matinees, book club meetings). Facility rentals are also available for baby showers, birthday parties, business seminars, etc. New classes and opportunities to connect with moms are being added all the time, so keep checking the website for that!

Who is Layne?

Born and raised in Southaven, Layne moved to Memphis eight years ago. After a year in Harbortown and a year downtown, she found her niche in her beloved midtown. Layne graduated from Baptist College of Health Sciences in 2008 with a BSN and has lived and breathed emergency medicine since. Of the ten years she has been an ER nurse, the last six have been at LeBonheur Children’s Hospital, where she remains part-time. She and her husband met while working together at Baptist DeSoto. Their son, August (3), loves anything to do with water and animals, so frequent trips to local splash pads and the zoo fill his toddler social calendar this summer. Layne enjoys a refreshing workout with her FIT4MOM friends, a hot cup of coffee, and sneaking away to read a good book. After attending (and subsequently teaching) FIT4MOM classes, she developed a passion for new mothers and recognized a need in the community for resources in the immediately postpartum phase. She hopes that Transfor{M}ama will bring a wealth of knowledge and support for the postpartum mother, as well as all other stages of motherhood.