She left her successful corporate role during her third pregnancy to start her own studio. Despite dealing with undiagnosed PPD, Kindle Space founder Kin Ing has always made it her mission to provide a community for mums through every stage. This Mother's Day, she shares her story!
In a world where our relationship with motherhood is so multi-faceted yet often misunderstood, mums like Ho Kin Ing help to bring warmth back to the community with her passion for what she calls ‘Social Maternal Care’. We first met when I attended a prenatal yoga class at Kindle Space in Joo Chiat (which she founded) and upon the first hello, I knew immediately how genuine Kin is in her advocacy for women and mums alike. One of the ways to tell how much of a force she is to be reckoned with? Her incredible labour stories! Keep reading for more of this mum-of-three’s insights on all things motherhood and finding your village.
You’re known for having some pretty unorthodox labour stories — can you share one that stands out?
Honestly, I feel incredibly blessed with each of my birth experiences. They’ve all been so unique and memorable. My most recent, the birth of my third child at home, was particularly extraordinary. I know a home birth might sound unconventional, even a little daunting to some, but for me, it was a moment of peaceful chaos. I felt deeply connected with my daughter and to bring her into the world in the comfort of our home, with my husband by my side, while our eldest child slept peacefully nearby.
I was managing the surges and contractions so well at home that I didn’t feel any need to rush to the hospital. In fact, it was when we finally decided to head to the hospital that my contractions intensified significantly—almost as if my baby had her own, very specific plan for her arrival. Ultimately, a powerful surge came, and I gave birth standing up.
My baby simply slid out, and my husband had to make a rather dramatic, but successful, ‘football dive’ to catch her! After she was born, we shared the news with our family. Our parents were understandably quite surprised, but our grandmothers just matter-of-factly acknowledged, because that’s how they gave birth back then too, so I felt really good about it. It was a truly empowering and unforgettable experience.
Did you use any yoga or pilates techniques during labour? If so, how did they help?
Absolutely. For me, yoga wasn’t just about flexibility or for “opening your hips” though that’s a common misconception. What truly made a difference were the breathing techniques, the mind-body connection, and the heightened awareness it cultivated. When labour surges and contractions came, I found myself relying heavily on my breath to navigate through them. Of course, the physical aspects of yoga such as the strengthening and stretching, played a vital role too. It really helped me attune to both my baby and my own body during the process.
I’ve come to think of yoga as a sort of toolbox, filled with invaluable resources. I feel incredibly privileged to have had the opportunity to learn these practices. Ultimately, it was embodying the principles of yoga and maintaining an open mind that truly helped me through labour and those early postpartum years.
What inspired you to start Kindle Space, and how is it different from other yoga studios in Singapore?
I created Kindle Space to fill a gap: a dedicated safe space for women and mothers during the prenatal and postpartum periods. Community, Connection, Movement. We’re unique in Singapore because we exclusively offer prenatal and postpartum classes for this stage of life, including mama & baby sessions and childbirth preparation. Our focus is on building community and providing both physical and emotional support.
Kindle Space was born from my own struggle to find dedicated support during pregnancy and postpartum in Singapore. In 2018, navigating my first pregnancy, I realised there was a significant gap: a lack of a single, nurturing space for birth preparation. I wanted a place where I can attend prenatal classes, workshops, highly experienced teachers and a genuine community. I found myself scattered, searching for yoga, classes and workshops across Singapore.
Postpartum also hit me hard. I felt isolated, overwhelmed, and unprepared for the mental and emotional load. I experienced undiagnosed postpartum depression (PPD), and though I did not receive professional treatment, I relied on my yoga and meditation practice to go through the intense moments.
In 2023, during my third pregnancy, I decided to leave my corporate role and follow my gut to create this communal space for mothers, exactly as what I would wish for. A space for mothers to come together during pregnancy, connect with one another, birth together and return again postpartum. Unlike other yoga studios, Kindle Space is exclusively dedicated to prenatal and postpartum. As a studio, we organise community playdates, support groups and even nature walks for mothers and babies.
What truly sets us apart is our focus on ‘Social Maternal Care.’ Over the years, I have recognised that there are many others like me. PPD is a “smiling depression”, especially for over achievers and high performing modern women. We may look functional and well on the outside, but the feelings and mood fluctuations still hit us. Not everyone will seek out counselling or therapy, but everyone can benefit from Community, Connection and Movement. By providing a familiar and supportive environment, we empower mothers to return postpartum, knowing they have a safe haven. We welcome them back as early as six weeks. It is that high-five, hello-how-are-you, so-happy-to-see-you-again connection that makes Kindle Space who we are.
When we think of sisterhood, it’s a group of sisters. Brotherhood, it’s a band of brothers. But when it becomes motherhood, it’s tiring, expensive, lonely or sleepless nights. It’s across all my social media to bring back the remembrance – if we go back long enough, Motherhood is called a ‘hood’ for a reason, and that’s how our “Social Maternal Care” philosophy came about.
What kind of community have you built at your studio, and what role does it play for the mums who come through your doors?
Kindle Space is really more than just a studio to me. It’s like a safety net for women, the one I wished I had back then. My team and I have worked relentlessly hard to build a community where everyone understands the incredible journey of pregnancy and postpartum. It’s a place where shared experiences just instantly create connections, and we solidarity in each other, and we talk about the challenges of motherhood together.
There’s something really special about knowing you’re not alone – that someone else is up at 3 am, or seeing pregnant women connect with those who’ve recently had their babies. It’s like a glimpse into the future or a sweet reminder of the recent past, and it creates these beautiful moments for reflection.
We really focus on empowering mums to connect, not just with each other, but also with their own inner voices. My goal is to lead with what I call ‘Social Maternal Care’ – providing a really supportive community that nurtures both physical and emotional well-being. We understand that not everyone seeks out professional help, but everyone, truly everyone, benefits from community and connection. We’re here to bridge that gap and, when needed, gently guide mums toward professional support.
What’s one thing you wish more mums knew about the benefits of a group class?
I really want mums to understand that the group classes we hold are about so much more than just physical exercise. They’re a powerful catalyst for motivation and genuine connection. Seeing other mothers actively prioritise their wellness journeys is incredibly inspiring, like a 15-week pregnant mama would look at a 38-week mama and go like, “Wow, this is so cool.”
At Kindle Space, we really emphasise the shared experience, creating a supportive environment where mums can connect on a deeper level. The acknowledging and sharing circles we incorporate into our classes are crucial for this; they foster a sense of collective strength and understanding. And that community extends far beyond the studio walls. We organise mom dates and playdates, recognising the importance of building those connections outside of class. In a world where digital interactions are increasingly prevalent, the power of real, human connection remains irreplaceable. That’s what we’re cultivating: a space where mums can truly connect and support one another.
What advice would you give to mums who feel guilty about self-care?
You know, someone once told me, very directly, that even F1 cars need pit stops. And they’re absolutely right! It really hit home when they added, “If you can’t do it for yourself, at least do it for your child.”
It made me think back to when I was a kid, those evenings when my parents came home stressed. You could just feel it in the air, right? I’d tiptoe around, trying so hard not to ‘get in the way’. And that’s exactly the kind of energy our little ones pick up on.
So, I’ve really been trying to prioritise self-care, even in the smallest ways. Just a warm glass of water, a quick bath, or even five minutes of sunlight can make a huge difference. That tenderness, that gentleness we give ourselves, really goes a long way. Because at the end of the day, self-care isn’t just for us. It’s for our children too.
Do you have a go-to pose or breathing technique that mums can use during stressful moments?
Yes, I do! Physically, a modified wide-legged Child’s Pose is often very soothing. We can use plenty of bolsters and pillows to make it extra comfortable, especially during pregnancy to accommodate the baby-belly. It’s wonderful for relieving lower back tension, and the gentle pressure on the chest can be incredibly grounding. For those experiencing pubic pain or pubic symphysis, I’d suggest kneeling with knees only slightly wider than hip-width, or simply lying on their side with pillows between the legs, while practicing breath awareness (more on that below).
Beyond the physical, I find tremendous value in breath awareness. You know, there are so many voices and experts telling us ‘how’ to breathe, and while that can be helpful, sometimes it can inadvertently make us second-guess our own bodies. Just simply observing the breath, without trying to change it, can be profoundly calming. Allowing the breath to come and go naturally provides a moment to slow down and appreciate our body’s innate wisdom in pacing our breath with ease. That’s why returning to the simple act of observing the breath, just as it is, is my favourite grounding practice. It’s a gentle reminder that our bodies already possess the ability to find calm from within.
What’s your idea of spending quality time with your kids while providing quality teaching at your studio?
The biggest thing was figuring out what ‘quality time’ even meant. It took me a while, but I’ve come to realise it’s all about being ‘consciously present.’ And that’s more than just putting down my phone or laptop. It’s about actively directing my attention and intention to whatever I’m doing in that moment. Whether I’m reading a bedtime story to my daughters or leading a prenatal yoga class at Kindle Space, I have to be fully ‘there’. Because, honestly, kids and students can tell when you’re not, right? They pick up on that. It’s actually kind of like when I commit to my weekly nature walks or community events. It’s a mental muscle I have to keep training – to be present not just physically, but also mentally, emotionally, and whole-personly.
If you could describe motherhood in one yoga pose, what would it be and why?
Oh, that’s such a cool question! It really got me thinking, and you know what? I keep coming back to Vrksasana aka Tree Pose. So, first off, it’s a balancing pose, right? Balancing and not “balance” because I don’t think there will ever be total-complete-balance but recognising it’s a constant balancing act. And that’s really what motherhood is? It’s like swaying with the gentle breeze or with strong winds. We’re always adjusting to the ‘winds’ of life – kids, family, our own stuff. Tree pose kind of shows that adaptability.
Then, there’s also the whole grounding thing. A tree is as strong as its roots, right? And there is so much wisdom in that. I feel like that’s us as moms. For the roots to be strong, it’s dependent on the soil – support and self-care. If we want to hold others, we got to be able to hold (trust) ourselves first. But, at the same time, we also need to know when to say “enough,” you know? We can’t over-fertilise the soil, by giving too much advice or allowing too much external influence etc.
And then, the branches! It’s such an unspoken intelligence holding onto a falling leaf while new ones are growing… that’s motherhood, isn’t it? It’s about patience and time. Like how we celebrate our babies first but we also have to prepare for their last, Like their last gummy smile before their first tooth or the last crawl before they start walking. Knowing when to hold on, when to let go. It’s a gentle reminder that it’s all a process. Growing, letting go, and starting again. And this is why motherhood is like tree pose to me!
Thank you for sharing your story, Kin! Follow Kin and her journey via @chezmama.kin on Instagram and stay up to date on @kindlespace.sg for all the latest wellness classes for mums, no matter what stage of motherhood you’re in!
