I dived deep into research, consulted professionals and trained with somatic therapists to develop a practice I call The Yin and Yang of Life-Long Pelvic Floor Integrity. I integrated this practice into all of my classes, workshops and private sessions. I share this contemporary multi-dimensional practice with women during pregnancy to help them prepare for the best possible birth experience: preconception to support fertility; postal recovery through to healthful and vital menopause.
By breaking a massive taboo – placing pelvic floor practice at the forefront of my work – I became known in many circles as “The Pelvic Floor Lady” and the referrals from students and practitioners have been flowing in ever since.
Yin and Yang: How do you balance work and family?
I think it’s fair to say no two years in the life of my business have been the same. I have always felt attending births is an entirely life-stage dependent career. Attending births is physically and emotionally demanding, so I take care to not to overload myself and pace my bookings. With each birth, I give myself plenty of time to rest and recover – that usually means a day of bonding with my sofa with a hot water bottle, eating pre-prepared nourishing meals and long naps in the sunshine. The Yin and Yang is in being very honest with myself, creative in finding new ways of sharing my work and adaptable to changing circumstances. Some days are easier than others!
The drive: What challenges have you overcome?
This past year, I have overcome my fear of the camera! With rolling lockdowns closing yoga studios, I have taken the bold leap to share my work online. I know where my skillset lays – it’s not in technology. So it was a whole-family effort to get me up and running – we did it!
I have converted two decades of teaching into online courses. It was shaky start, but now I have well and truly found my rhythm and feel just as comfortable in front of the lens as I do before a room full of gorgeous women!
For better or worse: What are the pros and cons of running your own business?
I love attending births and being one of the birthing women in my community! Supporting women with real-world practices – offering sincere guidance in nervous system healing and cultivating life-long pelvic floor integrity for every woman – every day. This is an absolute joy for me!
My husband is stalwart in his support for me; together we explore strategies and come up with new ways of getting my work out of our home and into the world. I have gathered a tight circle of friends who help me overcome the feelings of isolation that can come with being a sole practitioner; we take care of each other with lots of cups of chai and regular mutual mentoring.
Hopes and dreams: What next?
I’m getting ready to record my courses to offer them in an evergreen format. My reach used to be defined by geography, but now women from all over the world are connecting with me and my practice. I’m looking forward to making my work even more accessible.
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