Long locked away and underappreciated in the "domain of women", the journey into motherhood with its unique set of physical, psychological and spiritual challenges on a woman's body and soul are finally beginning to be appreciated. Although a natural and healthy part of human life becoming a mother is hard work and it takes in every nook, cranny and crevice of a woman's being. As though taken over by an ancient intelligence of nature the body, mind and spirit all guide a woman step by step through a mysterious transformation which has been the marvel of poets, philosophers and mystics for thousands of years.

Learning to consciously embrace and cooperate with the wisdom of the body and the soul while walking down this ancient path of becoming a mother is where the mind-body connection becomes so potent in its power to support her. Touching one's deeper waters daily in consciousness can become a source of replenishment and strength. Feeding the imagination with positive stories and images fortifies the heart. The folk wisdom of midwives and doulas provide a bag of tricks to draw upon. Learn to consciously augment your emerging relationship with your unborn child. It is impossible to control birth but you can choose to welcome the unexpected as your unique birth story unfolds and become the creative storyteller of your own myth. Giving birth is heroic and you can calibrate your thoughts, desires and intentions to fearlessly embrace this life defining challenge.

This is a six hour class which meets in two evening sessions or one full day. The mind, heart and imagination are powerful factors in navigating the birth passage. Each woman is unique and there are no silver bullets that have universal results. There is no "one size fits all" panacea to solve all issues for all women. This class will provide dozens of practical skills and fresh perspectives to load up a woman's psychospiritual tool belt providing her with alternatives to be instinctively drawn upon as her birth story unfolds.

This class is for ALL birthing women and their partners. Whether a woman hopes for a "natural childbirth", i.e. to navigate the birth passage with no pain medication or interventions or she is flexible on letting that decision be made as events transpire these tools, skills and perspectives will help you stay in tune with the miracle of welcoming your child into your life forever.

The class includes:

• two mind-body medicine modalities for accessing deeper "alpha brain wave" states of conscious: hypnosis and meditation. They are both powerful tools for entering into the trance like state of mind sometimes called, "labor-land" which arises naturally for a woman in childbirth. They are also ways to access deep relaxation and restorative states of consciousness during pregnancy, during the arc of healing postpartum and with the ongoing challenges of motherhood.
• movies of uncomplicated births. A picture is worth a thousand words and our media unfortunately thrives on creating images of disastrous and horrific births. In all of these births the Dads are central and many feel "mentored" by watching them.
• beautiful movie of birth art and birth customs from around the world which is not just entertaining but gives a window into other cultures and times. The 21st century American view of birth, often called technobirth, is not the only perspective. In all cases the art shows women who are actively engaged in the birth process and not passive victims of it.
• enriching spoken word birth stories. Storytelling is an often undervalued educational tool which speaks to the heart in ways intellectual and cognitive explanations cannot. The stories all feature strong role models of empowered women and supportive attuned partners. They all include a sense of the wonder and sacredness of birth.
• wit and wisdom of Ina May Gaskin. World renowned midwife whose birthing center in Tennessee has a 35 year record of being one of the most safe and humane place to birth on the planet. Down to earth advice and specific suggestions on how to navigate childbirth.
• midwife and doula tricks for finding rhythm, relaxation and ritual during labor including movement, massage, vocalizing and the use of water. Suggestions for early labor and when to go to the hospital.
• learn to embrace the heroic in your heart and unleash the courage to birth wisely and well. The hero's journey follows a classic pattern you can draw upon to give meaning and context to your passage into motherhood. Learn to creatively embrace the unexpected in your birth story.
• step by step suggestions for pre-birth bonding. Scientific research on the sentience, sensitivity and receptivity of the unborn child. Learn a meditation tailored for Mom and Dad to consciously augment their emerging relationship with their unborn child. Learn how to talk, sing, play music for and interact with your unborn child.
• materials include: HypnoBirthing Book and CD of hypnotic induction, hand-outs with numerous hypnosis alternatives, visualizations and step by step instruction on breathing techniques, pictures, stories and more.

See calendar for class schedule. Private sessions also available

HypnoBirthing is both a philosophy of birthing and a specific technique. In the class you will learn how to enter into hypnosis at will and access deep levels of relaxation while consciously supporting the powerful physiological wisdom of your body. Hypnosis is extremely effective and you will learn how to safely navigate the challenge of the birth passage using this tool. More...