October 18, 2021Bazaar Babes

Bazaar Babe ~ Ema Taylor Naturopathy

Ema Taylor is a true healer - overflowing with so much wisdom and knowledge of nature’s gifts. She empowers women and creates a positive change in the world by inviting us to join her holistic health journey. Beautiful on the inside and out she stands present in her power and inspires us to do the same. We ventured out to the hinterland and spent a spring morning with Ema and her little lady Zippora as we chat health, wellness and Motherhood with our favourite Naturopath.

Tell us a little bit about yourself, who you are and what sets your soul on fire?

I am a women’s health focused naturopath and clinical nutritionist, a certified fertility awareness educator, wife and mum to a 9 month old baby girl named Zippora.

I am happiest when I am in nature, whether it’s laying in the garden in the sunshine with Zippy, bush walking, swimming in the ocean, surfing or picnicking in beautiful spots. Nature is so healing, it helps me feel grounded and peaceful and I get so much delight from showing Zippy the magic of the natural world.

I also feel very lucky to love what I do for work - supporting women and seeing big shifts in their health, hormones and fertility is so fulfilling.

You’re a qualified Naturopath and Nutritionist. Can you tell us about how your journey into wellness and health science began?

I worked as a model from my late teens to mid 20’s. While I feel fortunate for the amazing adventures and opportunities this job took me on, it was a tricky industry to be involved in as a young woman and unhealthy habits were easily formed. I lived overseas for many years and being away from my closest support groups was tough at times. I over exercised, under ate and experienced severe anxiety for a long time. One of the repercussions of this was amenorrhea (loss of my menstrual cycle) for 3 years. Over the years I saw a number of Gp’s and gynaecologists for advice on how to balance my hormones and regain my period, however I was just told to go back on the oral contraceptive pill - something that does not fix the problem.

I decided to begin doing my own research and became very interested in nutrition and holistic health. One year when I flew back to Australia for Christmas, I spontaneously decided to put this passion into practice and began studying a degree in health science majoring in naturopathy.

Over the next year I was my own guinea pig and I dramatically changed the way I ate, exercised, slept and really worked on my stress levels and anxiety. Of course in hindsight it is obvious what was going on - my body was under severe stress. When this eased, my period finally returned.

This journey taught me just how important the menstrual cycle is and that it truly is a barometer of a woman's health. It was also the beginning of a deep passion in supporting other women on their healing journeys.

What is the most important lesson you have learnt from your studies?

We are all unique, this is the beauty of nature.

There will never be one medicine or protocol that is right for everyone and healing is not linear. I love that naturopathy is holistic and takes into consideration the individual. This is how medicine should always be practiced.

You’re also a certified Fertility Awareness Educator. Can you tell us why this is so important for women?

I believe understanding your own body's signs of fertility is a woman's birthright and the most empowering information we can learn. Fertility is SO much more than falling pregnant. It is understanding your health on the deepest of levels and feeling empowered to take your health into your own hands.

Another one of your many talents is writing and you’re currently the beauty columnist for Wellbeing Magazine. Can you tell us where you draw inspiration from and what other publications you have worked with?

My inspiration often comes from what I am supporting my clients with in clinic, what my community asks me about frequently or what I personally find interesting and want to go down a rabbit hole researching.

I write a women’s health related feature article for WILD magazine each issue and have also contributed to VOGUE, RUSSH, Nature and Health and Nine News.

What are some of your small daily rituals?

Now that I am a mum, my daily rituals look quite different to what they used to! Although I don’t get much ‘me’ time in the day, I still try my best to weave in small, simple moments to help me feel balanced in the day and ensure I am still taking care of myself.

A few of these are...

Each morning my husband, Locky, brings Zippy into our bed and we will play or read a book together while I sip a cup of tea. She used to fall back asleep next to me which was the sweetest thing ever… but now she would rather climb all over me and poke me in the face until I get up haha.
I stretch every single morning - it wrings out my stiff body from constantly carrying a little 9kg weight around all day. A few times a week I will do an online yoga or pilates class while Zippy has her first nap of the day.
I take vitamins each day specific for postpartum support and recovery to ensure that I am not depleted from breastfeeding and those days when my diet may not be as good as I’d like it to be
Zippy and I spend a lot of time outside playing in the garden or going on walks. Having a baby has taught me a whole new level of presence as I chat to her about the different plants, flowers, noises, smells and colours that surround us.
Lock and I always debrief the day over peppermint tea and chocolate in the evening and most evenings I'll read before bed.

How would you describe your personal style?

I have always loved romantic, feminine pieces. Dresses and blouses with lace, frills, florals, or big billowy sleeves, I adore. Paired with vintage high waisted jeans and a brown sandal or cream converse. Some of my earliest memories as a little girl are dressing up in my mum's vintage clothes with beads, scarves and sunglasses. I miss going vintage shopping at markets.

You’re a mumma to Zippora Rose! Tell us about your journey with motherhood so far?

Zippora lights up my world. I have never felt a love so deep and I honestly thank the universe every single day for the gift of our daughter. It is not lost on me just how fortunate we are to have a healthy, happy baby.

Becoming a mother has challenged me more than anything I have ever done, both physically and emotionally. It is the most beautiful and fulfilling job in the world, but also relentless and selfless. It has cracked my heart open in ways I never knew possible and taught me so much about myself and who I want to be in this world. I love being a mother.

Do you have any mantras you live by?

Yes, speaking of motherhood…. One mantra I often remind myself of when finding the courage to speak my truth or speak on behalf of Zippy is ‘If what I am saying is coming from a kind place, it is not up to me how the other person takes it.’

While not exactly a mantra, I am also very conscious of recognising and being thankful for what we have. I acknowledge that we are very privileged and I let the universe know every day how grateful I am for what we have.

What can we expect to see next for Ema Taylor?

I am very excited to be launching two fertility awareness masterclass programs in the coming months where I will teach women how to understand their bodies' cyclical wisdom and signs of fertility to increase their chances of conceiving naturally or how to avoid hormonal birth control and confidently use natural contraception.

Group workshops are also on the horizon, which I am looking forward to - I love working with larger groups of women because we all can learn so much from each other.

If you’re interested in either of these you can sign up to my newsletter and I will be sure to share launch dates.