Nurturing Wellness in Richmond, VA: My Personal Recommendations for Birth, Postpartum & Self‑Care

January 16, 2026

Over past years, I’ve had the privilege of connecting with some truly amazing wellness practitioners here in Richmond. Many of the spaces I’m sharing in this guide are ones I know personally — I’ve met the founders, used their services, or collaborated with them in my work as a photographer. These are communities of care and expertise that I genuinely trust and recommend. Whether you’re preparing for birth, navigating postpartum life, or simply looking for ways to reconnect with your body and mind, these Richmond-based resources offer guidance, support, and a personal touch that makes all the difference.

A Brighter Birth Birth Center

A Brighter Birth focuses on birth work, offering doula services with a team of compassionate, experienced doulas. They also provide birth classes and education in a stunning office space located at the Branch Museum — a place that feels beautiful, calm, and welcoming.

I am honored to now be a member of A Brighter Birth Collective as a motherhood and family photographer. ABB takes a thoughtful, holistic approach to supporting parents at every stage — prenatal, during pregnancy, and postpartum. They carefully interview and curate specialists for their Collective from different areas, ensuring everyone in their network shares their values and dedication to families.

If you’re pregnant or preparing for pregnancy, I highly recommend visiting their website. You can explore the specialists they collaborate with, select a doula that feels right for you, or attend one of their thoughtfully designed classes. This is truly a place that nurtures parents through every stage of the journey. Learn more at abrighterbirth.com.

Acupuncture with Elizabeth Fuqua

Elizabeth Fuqua is a licensed acupuncturist whose work I deeply trust and personally recommend. She came highly recommended through people I know, and after experiencing some ongoing pain in my body, I decided to try working with her — and I’m so glad I did.

Elizabeth offers acupuncture tailored to pregnancy, postpartum recovery, and overall wellness. Her approach balances body and mind, addressing both discomfort and stress while supporting overall health. What makes her stand out is how warm and approachable she is — every visit feels like catching up with a friend while taking care of your body.

The sessions themselves (55 minutes) are not only deeply relaxing but also genuinely effective. I’ve noticed that the pain I’ve been dealing with has been slowly easing, and combining her treatments with other wellness practices has helped my body feel better overall. I’m now completely hooked — it’s a space I look forward to visiting both for relief and for the calm, restorative experience she creates.

Whether you’re seeking relief from muscle or body pain, looking for ways to relax, or exploring holistic wellness, I wholeheartedly recommend Elizabeth. You can learn more or book a session at elizabethfuqua.com.

Humble Haven Yoga Studio — Prenatal Classes & More

I recently met the owner of Humble Haven Yoga and had the chance to visit their space. It’s an incredibly beautiful studio with a warm, boho-inspired vibe that immediately feels inviting. The studio offers a variety of yoga classes, with a strong focus on hot yoga, as well as prenatal classes led by the amazing instructor Jo Murdock, who comes highly recommended.

Their prenatal classes are thoughtfully designed to support strength, flexibility, and calm during pregnancy. I personally love how the instructors guide parents-to-be through poses and breathing techniques that ease common pregnancy discomforts and help prepare the body for birth.

Beyond prenatal yoga, Humble Haven creates a welcoming environment for all students, whether you’re looking to deepen your practice, release tension, or simply find a mindful, restorative space. I wholeheartedly recommend this studio — it’s a place where the community, energy, and care you feel are just as important as the yoga practice itself. You can explore classes and schedules at humblehavenyoga.com.

Whole Heart Space Yoga — Prenatal & Postpartum Support

Whole Heart Space is a truly special studio created exclusively for prenatal and postpartum people. Their focus is on support, education, and movement tailored around pregnancy and early parenthood. I love how intentional their approach is — every class, workshop, and program is designed to nurture both body and mind during this transformative time.

They offer a variety of classes, from gentle prenatal yoga to postnatal movement, all led by knowledgeable instructors who understand the unique needs of parents. Beyond regular classes, Whole Heart Space hosts events like their Birth Workers Fair, held several times a year. This is an amazing opportunity to meet different experts in birth work — including doulas, midwives, and other prenatal and postpartum specialists — and choose the professional you’d like to work with. Their next fair is on February 21st, and I highly encourage anyone on a pregnancy or postpartum journey to visit.

I’ve personally seen the care and thoughtfulness they put into every offering, and I can genuinely recommend Whole Heart Space as a place to learn, move, and connect with supportive experts. You can explore their classes, workshops, and events at wholeheartspace.com.

Ebb & Flow Bodywork — Massage & Therapeutic Care

Ebb & Flow Bodywork is run by Laura Jones, an incredibly skilled and compassionate massage therapist with over 9 years of experience. I personally know Laura as my client, and I’ve also become her client — and I can honestly say she is my favorite massage therapist in Richmond.

Laura offers customized therapeutic massage, which I often go for. It’s not just a relaxing experience — you can feel the depth of her knowledge and skill in every session. After a massage with her, I always feel rejuvenated and lighter, and some of the sessions have been the best massages I’ve ever had in my life.

Beyond therapeutic massage, Laura also provides custom prenatal massage, grief massage, and TMJ treatment, all tailored to each client’s needs. Her space is calm, beautiful, and welcoming, making each visit feel restorative on every level. As a recent mother herself, she understands the unique needs of parents and is deeply attuned to supporting them.

I cannot recommend Laura and Ebb & Flow Bodywork enough — if you’re in Richmond and looking for skilled, personalized bodywork, you’ll be in excellent hands. You can learn more and schedule a session at ebbflowbodywork.com.

TAOU Studio — Yoga, Movement & Holistic Wellness

TAOU Studio is the yoga and wellness studio where I personally go, and I love it so much. Located in Carytown, Richmond, they’re currently working on opening a second location in Forest Hill, which is very exciting.

The studio offers a variety of classes — not just yoga, but also ballet, barre, pilates and movement-based sessions — all designed with holistic wellness in mind. Most of their classes are slow, mindful, and therapeutic, allowing you to focus on your own movement and personal experience without feeling pushed. They also provide prenatal and postpartum classes, making it a wonderful space for parents-to-be and new parents.

TAOU is more than just a studio — it’s a space where you feel comfortable, supported, and connected to your body. They also offer massage services, complementing their classes with additional therapeutic care. I wholeheartedly recommend TAOU to anyone in Richmond looking for a nurturing, mindful, and restorative approach to movement and wellness. You can explore their schedule and offerings at taoustudio.com.