Having a baby is one of the most significant milestones in life, and preparing for and adjusting to life as a new parent can feel overwhelming. I believe that when emotional, physical, and educational support are provided, pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period can be times of great joy and empowerment. This belief defines my practice as a natural childbirth educator, doula, and massage therapist.

I am a CAPPA- and Bradley® Method-trained Natural Childbirth Educator and have been working in the field since 1990. I’ve trained under Pam England, LM, of the Birthing From Within method; Gail Tully, founder of Spinning Babies; childbirth educator and doula Penny Simkin, PT; and Gena Kirby in rebozo techniques.

As a DONA-certified doula, or labor support professional, I have attended hundreds of births in birth centers, hospitals & homes. It is my role to support laboring mothers and their birth partners in a range of ways, from offering affirmations, massaging the laboring mother (and sometimes the partner!), clarifying medical options and providing aromatherapy. Essentially to intuitively embrace what the laboring family needs during their birth journey. I believe pregnancy and birth offer women an incredible opportunity to experience a renewed sense of strength and power of their bodies. A woman who is comfortable trusting the birth process, her wisdom, and her spirit is able to transform her life in powerful ways.

Attending births, and massaging women through their labor, inspired me to become a massage therapist. I attended the Body Therapy Institute in Santa Barbara and, after completing the Level One program, was eager to continue my massage therapy training. I continued in advance courses, learning many different modalities. In addition to pregnancy and infant massage, I have now trained in Swedish massage, deep tissue and triggerpoint work, acupressure, craniosacral, Shiatsu, Reiki, and reflexology.

Besides my private practice, I have also worked as a licensed massage therapist at The Ojai Valley Inn and Spa, The Pierpont Inn and Racquet Club, Spa De Menicucci in Santa Barbara, the Ventura Family YMCA, and was a co-founder of the Ventura Healing Arts Center. I have also taught pregnancy massage at the Kali School of Massage in Ventura, and I’ve served as the pregnancy, labor, and postpartum massage instructor at the Body Therapy Institute in Santa Barbara.

In 2004, I added prenatal yoga classes to my repertoire. As a natural childbirth educator, massage therapist, and doula, I saw that prenatal yoga is a wonderful way for mothers to bond with their babies and prepare for the birth. I am certified through the Santa Barbara Yoga Center as a prenatal yoga instructor. Yoga has been a personal part of my life since 1998, and I consider it an honor to offer both private and public prenatal classes and private yoga for people of all walks of life.

In my free time I enjoy yoga, a variety of music, dancing, hiking, swimming, reading, meditation, breath work, travel and going on retreats. My biggest treasure is being YaYa to my three local grandchildren and being able to spend time with them, they are my heart.

You can contact me via email, by phone at (805) 407-1202, or through the form below.

Namaste.