Supporting you through rocky waters

You’re feeling a little overwhelmed. There is SO much information out there on pregnancy, birth and parenting. Where do you begin? You’re not a parent yet, so it’s hard to define what your exact parenting style and philosophy will be, and everyone seems to have a different opinion on the matter, so who should you listen to?

​ I certainly don’t have ALL the answers (and no one really does) but after navigating the same rocky waters that you are right now I can definitely help you find your path on your Motherhood journey.  Reading my ebook: 12 Pregnancy Hacks for a Smoother Transition to Pregnancy (and a less stressful life!) is a great place to start!

“While a baby is gestating, so is motherhood.
​When a baby is born so are its mother and father “born”.”    

Pam England, Birthing from Within

My journey to birth work

"I'm not ready for this!" I yelled to my husband. No, I hadn’t just found out I was pregnant, I was in the pushing phase of labour. I was induced at 41 weeks, I didn’t take any prenatal classes, and I didn’t hire a doula. What I had done was read a few birth books, but most importantly (I thought at the time) I was a seasoned yogi and athlete- I scoffed at the idea of needing “help” before, during, or after birth. Boy was I naive! My first birth wasn’t the positive experience I was hoping for and it definitely translated into a rocky transition to Motherhood.
 
Fast forward 2 years, pregnant with my second child, I was blessed with the opportunity to do it all over again. As a high school science teacher for nearly 10 years, learning from our mistakes was always a mantra in my classroom. This time I would deliver at a birthing center with a midwife, I would take prenatal classes, and I would practice pain coping techniques for labour. After all, I had always trained for my other sporting events, why would birth be any different?

And boy oh boy did my “training” pay off! My second birth was the polar opposite of my first: it was THE most empowering experience of my life. I gave birth to my son in the most peaceful environment I could have imagined. While holding my son, Oscar, in my arms I was on top of the world; I felt like a goddess warrior, and I felt that after this experience I could do anything.

This is what I want for all birthing persons, and this is why I have become a doula. To teach you that you CAN have the birth you desire, and to support you in this process.

The birth of your child is an experience that will imprint on you for the rest of your life.

My journey to yoga

​I started practising yoga in 2007, the same year I began my first full-time job as a high school science teacher. I had suffered from anxiety for many years and with my new responsibilities I was barely able to cope anymore. I talked to friends, a therapist, my parents, but nothing and no one could help. I was stuck.

At first, yoga was my form of weekly “exercise”, but quickly it became so much more. My migraines began to subside,
(a health issue I had consulted numerous health care specialists about, none of which were able to help) and my constricted chest began to feel much more open and light. Breathing became easier, and over time, I learned to gain control of my anxiety.
Yoga was the most effective “medicine” I had found for both my body and my mind.

In 2013 my yoga teacher training (YTT) with Melanie Richards and Albert Bissada gave me another first hand experience of the healing power of yoga. Although less anxious I was still very much a “worrier” and not genuinely happy with my life. My background in neuroscience also made me very resistant to the more spiritual elements of yoga. I chose Faith as my “yoga name” and mantra throughout my training as this was something I wanted to bring more of into my life. And what a profound impact this practice had. By the end of the training I felt happier and more confident with myself and in my relationships.
Again, yoga had transformed my life!

An eager student, I have taken many different yoga trainings since my 200hr YTT. I studied in Rishikesh, India for 3 months in 2013 as I was curious to learn the roots of yoga. In 2014 I did a yin yoga training again with Melanie Richards, in 2017 I completed my prenatal yoga teacher training with Amanda Degrace from Little Lotus Yoga and I also studied postnatal yoga with Jayme Hernandez. All of my teachers have been my mentors and have contributed to the unique yoga teacher I am today.

Check out my yoga page to learn more about my unique approach as well as the particular benefits of pre, postnatal, child and family yoga.   

Academic Education

2003- Bachelor of Science (B. Sc.) - major in Biology- McGill University
2006- Master’s of Science (M. Sc.) in Neuroscience- University of British Columbia
2007- Bachelor of Education (B. Ed) Simon Fraser University

Doula training

2017- Maternal Support Practitioner (MSP) - Bebo Mia
​2018- Fertility Specialist Certification - Bebo Mia
2018 - Supporting the Breastfeeding Newborn - lactation education with Kimberly Mackenzie

Yoga training

2013- 200hr YTT with Melanie Richards and Albert Bissada at HappyTree Yoga- Montreal, QC
2013- Level 1- Agama Yoga - Rishikesh, India
2014- Yin yoga teacher training with Melanie Richards at HappyTree Yoga- Montreal, QC
2017- prenatal yoga teacher training with Amanda Degrace- Little Lotus Yoga- Ottawa, ON
2018- mom and baby teacher training with Jayme Hernandez- Nurture Yoga Therapy- Montreal, QC