Birth Rehearsal Workshop

A Yoga Birth Rehearsal is designed for women and their birth partners.
A chance to focus on one of the most important events of your life.

To help you prepare for and understand birth we go through a birth ‘rehearsal’ using simple breathing, movement, posture and visualizations for each stage, to promote calm, gentle birth.  Empowered with knowledge and a deeper understanding of the birth process, women (and their birth partners) can approach childbirth with confidence and clarity. 

‘We are trying to give women a positive attitude towards childbirth. The only way to reduce the huge number of caesarean rates in Australia is to give women the confidence to birth naturally. Culturally we see birth as something to fear and dread but we should be celebrating birth and teaching women how to look forward to the event positively.  This preparation helps women remain calm and in control of what is happening and to be clear about what intervention they want, when and if it is needed.’

The workshop places emphasis on gaining knowledge and understanding through practice and experience.  The birthing partner gets involved in a practical way and gains an understanding of what labour is like.  Each couple gets the chance to rehearse together before the real birth so that the techniques become familiar and can be used easily and effectively.

We finish with a deep relaxation practice for both the mother- to- be and her birth partner that assists in the assimilation of the techniques taught. 

 
At the end of the formal workshop there is an opportunity to discuss ideas and concerns in a very relaxed atmosphere, with questions and answers and examples of coping strategies from mums who have recently birthed their babies. 

The workshops are tutored by Helen Macnair and Aafke Woldring.  Aafke is an ante natal educator and early childhood nurse with Dutch midwifery qualifications.  With over 20 years of experience working with women in pregnancy, labour and post natal, Aafke brings a huge resource of knowledge, practical experience and wisdom to the birth rehearsals. 

‘I encourage women to be open to whatever happens during the birth, to keep the health and safety of themselves and the baby as their priority and to use their intuition, knowledge and yoga to enable them to have a positive birth experience.’ Helen Macnair

What the workshop covers :-

How we can influence and change the birth experience. The physical and emotional environment. The signs and stages of labour. Relaxation and breathing techniques to keep the body and mind calm and relaxed. Contractions and how to embrace them with breath, visualization and movement. The advantages of upright positions and how to use them. The role of the supportive birthing partner. Massage and positions for birth. Celebration of birth!

These workshops are held regularly and complement
the pregnancy yoga classes.
See the news link for information on future workshops.
The cost of the workshop is $100 per couple.
Refreshments are provided.