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Dancing to the Rhythm of Your Birth

Meet Doula and Childbirth Mentor Shalene Massie

January 15, 2013
Shalene Massie, of Rhythm of Birth, firmly believes everything in life has rhythm. While she was pregnant with her daughter, she realized the rhythm of life in a new way. She read many pregnancy, birth, and parenting books. She found herself overwhelmed knowing soon after her daughter's birth, she, her husband, and daughter would be moving to live in a tent in South Sudan, Africa. She decided to stop trying to read every book and just do what intuitively seemed best for her family and allow the rhythm of life to flow. Through observing the people and culture of Sudan, Shalene found
the power of cultivating awareness in life and body and the power of rhythm. The quote by Maya Angelo sums it up, "Everything in life has rhythm. Everything dances."

While information and “book” knowledge are valuable and important in birth, it is also important to cultivate your heart knowing as you prepare for birth. Rhythm of Birth offers mentoring through holistic child birth classes that incorporate Birthing From Within® principles. In these classes, couples cultivate their “inner knowing” and explore their heart during pregnancy and preparation for birth through creative exercises, pain-coping practices, developing a pain coping mindset, practical information, and role play.

Birth does not follow a schedule or a routine, but often follows the rhythm and dance of a mother's body. The rhythm a woman's body embraces is the dance of her baby preparing to make his/her emergence into this world. Rhythm of Birth classes are not just for first time parents. Every pregnancy and birth is different and it is valuable to cultivate mindfulness and prepare for the rhythm of each birth.

Your pregnancy and birth journey are a powerful and empowering time as a woman and as a couple. Shalene Massie provides doula support to pregnant couples regardless of where or how they plan to give birth. Shalene believes every woman has the strength and knowledge within herself, and with the help of her birth team, to give birth mindfully and beautifully.

Shalene invites you to mindfully brew a cup of tea, visit www.rhythmofbirth.net, and explore the role of a doula and the support Rhythm of Birth provides you on your journey toward birth and parenthood.

The next child birth class is Friday and Saturday March 8th and 9th at the Roanoke Natural Foods Co-op. Contact Shalene via e-mail massieshalene@gmail.com or through the website for support or to register for the class. Shalene would be honored to walk with you on this journey!