Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I practice prenatal yoga?
Practicing prenatal yoga promotes you and your baby’s well-being during pregnancy by decreasing discomforts, practicing deep relaxation and breathing, enhancing strength, releasing stress, removing anxiety and fear, and recharging you with positive energy for the upcoming week. It is a way to take a peaceful break from the rest of the world for an hour of tranquility and inner-observation and bring healing to an intense lifestyle. Prenatal yoga positively affects your baby in many ways and also promotes bonding with your baby. You will find that prenatal yoga is a social time where you can meet with other mothers-to-be in a warm atmosphere. In addition, the classes include tips and tools that you can practice at home to help you in your preparation and during birth. Prenatal yoga also helps you have an easier recovery after birth.
Tami conceived the insight that Birth and Yoga are One, which means that prenatal yoga with Tami will prepare you in a holistic way to a flowing, positive birth.
Do I have to be an experienced yogi to practice with Tami?
Absolutely not! Prenatal yoga with Tami is gentle and cozy, and the majority of women who practice prenatal yoga with Tami have never practiced yoga before. If you haven’t practiced yoga before, pregnancy is a wonderful time to start.
Tami began practicing yoga while she was pregnant and remembers it as a wonderful gift that greatly contributed to her feelings during pregnancy and birth.
Can Tami’s prenatal yoga classes benefit my birth even if I don’t want to birth naturally?
Absolutely. Whether or not you want a medicated birth or a caesarean section, practicing prenatal yoga promotes your well-being during pregnancy, and the benefits for your birth are endless—deep breathing, relaxation techniques, balancing your body, and controlling your mind are just a few techniques that you will learn to use in any kind of birth.
Prenatal yoga helps any kind of birth be healthier, more peaceful, and more positive.
How are Tami’s prenatal yoga classes different from others?
Tami created an exclusive, invigorating program that applies her insight that Yoga and Birth are One. Because of this, her prenatal yoga classes provide a wide range of tools and a state of readiness in your preparation for birth.
Tami is a yogi-doula, which means that in every class you receive two benefits in one. She uses her knowledge and experience from being present at births and incorporates it into her yoga classes. She teaches a practical and accurate connection between yoga and birth. Tami not only teaches prenatal yoga, but she takes it to the next level, transitioning your practice into "birthing" yoga as you move closer to the birth itself (see the question about what is "birthing" yoga for more information.)
If childbirth is a natural process, why should I prepare for it?
Over the years, our lifestyles have gradually ceased to be natural on a physical, mental, and emotional level. True, childbirth belongs to the secret of primitive womanly wisdom—her instinct and intuition. However, modern life and cultural behavior now oppose these natural abilities and hinder the capacity to freely express ourselves by drawing us outward to seek external satisfactions, while childbirth is in essence a process of looking within. Thus, over the years, natural skills have eroded. We have an internal memory, hidden in our genes, and during birth preparation we awaken, refresh, and renew this memory.
I already know what the benefits of yoga are during pregnancy, but why should I practice yoga after birth?
After birth, you sacrifice so much of yourself for others. You are constantly nurturing your baby and serving your family, and it is important to give yourself quality time by nurturing yourself. Yoga helps you find this balance and provides a scheduled time for yourself where you can relax, recharge, and clear your mind for the upcoming week in a familiar, caring atmosphere; furthermore, it promotes a good recovery from birth.
What is a “doula”?
The official definition of a doula is “…a trained and experienced professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother and her partner before, during and just after birth” (DONA International)
There is room to further elaborate this definition. A doula is who you are: it is the totality of your personality components, your traits, life experience and views, as well as interdisciplinary knowledge which you have acquired throughout your professional life. The combination of all the above give each doula her uniqueness. Furthermore, each doula has her own specialty or specialties: for example, some doulas specialize in birth preparation, others in post-partum, as well as other specialties such as massage, acupuncture, naturopathy, reflexology, homeopathy, Reiki, yoga etc.
What is unique about you as a doula?
For me, the word “doula” signifies not only a profession, but a type of personality. Marie, a mother I served wrote me: “It is so natural and perfect for you… It is truly what you were born to do…you have a deep and clear understanding of your purpose for being on this earth”.
What is also unique about me in essence is that I am a yogi-doula. This means that who I am is guided by these yogi principles: totally giving and devoted, compassion and grace, positive approach, internal observation, astute intuitions which I adapt to the intuition of every woman I am with, warmth, softness, kindness, emotionally accepting, flowing energy, flexibility, acceptance, letting go, and surrendering to the immensity of this life-giving process.
My service to mothers is unique since I not only accompany births, but I also offer prenatal and birthing yoga. I have designed unique yoga classes and workshops which combine yoga with a holistic process of birth preparation, based on the concept I conceived, that yoga is birth and birth is yoga: they are one. I also provide an individually adapted, tailor-made plan of birth preparation for each woman.
I attended comprehensive program and apprenticeship in various related fields. This program has included more advanced and innovative knowledge and skills than what US-based programs provide.
It is this connection between my knowledge and being a yogi, with all of its personality components, and my energy, that makes me unique.
I have a supportive partner who will accompany me in birth. Do I still need a doula?
Even if your partner accompanies you in the birth, a doula is still extremely valuable.
As Jenna described “Tami helped to prepare my husband….Tami helped us determine a way that my husband could help me during my second birth….Tami helped him be the necessary central piece of my labor support system.”
My presence complements the mother’s partner and empowers him. Her partner and I work together as a team. We develop the way we work in advance according to what suits both the mother and her partner. I am attentive and I hold a place of quiet and respect to the couple’s intimacy. Furthermore, I give couples the tools to experience and enhance their intimacy during the birth. The partner knows that he doesn’t bare the sole weight of responsibility for caring for the woman. He can also take some time out to renew himself.
The best way to sum up the type of teamwork I share with birth partners is to quote Heidi’s husband, whose birth I supported. After the birth, I said to him: “What a wonderful gift it is for a doula to work with a partner like you”. He replied: “What a wonderful gift it is for a husband to have a doula like you.”
Do you as a doula only support natural births?
I support and respect any kind of birth you may choose, or end up having due to circumstances. It is important for me to clarify that any sort of birth life brings your way should take place with the utmost flexibility and positivity. Furthermore – if natural birth is not possible due to necessity or informed choice, we still prepare the body-mind-spirit in the way that best suits the circumstances, underlining positivity, love and acceptance of this amazing process.
I know that nowadays, there is a ‘natural childbirth’ trend that faces women with an array of expectations that cannot always be met. Do yourself a favor and do not fall into this trap, but look within yourself, your personality and the intimate process your body and soul need to go through, and respect it.
I intend to have an epidural and/or another medical intervention. Do I still need a doula?
As a doula, I provide full support for mothers at any kind of birth, through any type of intervention, including epidurals. My ‘tool box’ contains physical, emotional and spiritual means for dealing with any kind of birth. For example, ways of helping the process to progress while epidural is in use, and other methods. “Even after the epidural was administered, Tami stayed up an entire night, massaging and doing what she does to promote active and healthy contractions and keep the birth process moving.” (Goldie)
Should I hire a doula for a high-risk pregnancy?
A high risk pregnancy is not necessarily an indication of a lack of ability to birth in the way you choose for yourself. A doula is an option for every woman in every situation, as long as she wishes, is aware of, knows about and acknowledges the benefits of doula care. And beyond this: Sometimes, a high-risk pregnancy may bring about worries and concerns. Through my work I also serve the woman’s emotional needs during the birth preparation, in order for her to arrive at her birth as free and as calm as could be, and to experience the birth in the most positive and empowering way.
Should I hire a doula for a VBAC?
Yes! A doula can provide a highly valuable contribution to a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesaerean).
I have a midwife. Do I need a doula?
A midwife is a medical practitioner, a doula is not. I provide support which is constant and consistent and which focuses totally on the mother. I provide non-medical physical support (such as massage and movements that decreases pain and progresses labor), as well as emotional and spiritual support, all in a variety of means. I remain by the mother’s side from the time that the mother desires (also before going to the hospital) until sometime after the birth. I am also there for her in everything she needs during the preparation for birth and post-partum periods.
I've already had a baby. Should I hire a doula for subsequent births?
It is true that statistically, first births are considered the most difficult ones. However, in my opinion, each and every birth requires care of a slightly different kind. Every birth experience finds us at a different place in our lives. Therefore, we would do well to come to each birth refreshed and with all the tools and support we can have.
In addition, Perhaps the first time around didn't go as you had hoped. Sometimes there is a need in subsequent births to have a corrective experience.
When the doula’s profession became established, the prevailing perception was "a doula for every woman”. Unfortunately, we are still far from this reality, but you have the ability to make it happen for yourself.
How do you as a doula interact with the medical staff?
I believe in harmonious work with all medical practitioners, through a deep respect for their responsibility and professionalism. I provide non-medical assistance, and of course it is not my place to get involved in medical decision-making. I act simply as your voice and your advocate.
All I want is some support during the preparation for birth, but not have you with me during the birth itself. Should I still approach you?
Certainly. Birth preparation is one of my specialties. I support mothers as early or as late during the pregnancy as they want. It is important that you know you are in charge – it is you who manages the birth preparation, as well as the birth itself. I will support you in any way you want and fits you the best.
Is it possible to have a birth preparation with you that is not through yoga?
Yes, you can. I am flexible and will accommodate any kind of birth and every way you choose to prepare for your birth. I am there for you, to serve in the way that best suits you.
What is an ayurvedic massage?
"Ayurvedic Massage is based on ancient Indian principles of Ayurveda and pressure points, designed to heal the body and create a balance between mind, body, and spirit. The word is a Sanskrit compound: ayu, meaning 'life,' and veda, meaning 'knowledge.' Ayurvedic massage is a customized treatment, incorporating essential oils, typically herbal-infused, with time-honored and non-traditional strokes and kneading that suit each individual’s needs." - spa finder
Why should I have an ayurvedic massage after birth?
While birth is a beautiful process that brings new life into this world, it does take a toll on a woman's body. In today's world, we understand more and more how important it is for our health, as well as for those closest to us, to take care of ourselves.
There is an emotional and physical impact of taking care of a newborn, and it is important to take special care of your body to regain your strength and energy as well. This full body oil massage relaxes, balances and renews and purifies the new mom's body and mind.
How does an ayurvedic massage help with postpartum?
This type of massage provides a deep state of relaxation and brings you inner harmony and balance. It helps to relieve lower back, shoulder and neck pain due to carrying and breastfeeding your new little one. It also helps to speed up your postpartum recovery by giving you support to regain your lost energy.This is the perfect way to help a new mom through the process of healing after giving birth.
What is "Birthing" Yoga?
First of all, we start with prenatal yoga and as we get closer to your birth, there is a natural transition to "birthing" yoga. Birthing Yoga is the preparation of your body, mind and spirit for the birth itself.
The tools and skills you will need for birth are developed and enhanced through practicing birthing yoga. This holistic birth-yoga process includes: relaxation, releasing/letting go, purifying, surrendering, centering, inner balance/harmony, grounding, flexibility and acceptance, softness, being present, good pure energy, protectiveness, confidence, connection to baby, love and compassion.
Birth is a precious experience. There is nothing like experiencing these classes that will prepare you for the experience of birth.
Yoga is birth, and birth is yoga. They are one.