Learn yoga for a positive and relaxed birth
Join us in Guatemala for a unique program rooted in Northern Indian traditions, blending Hatha, Vinyasa, and a therapeutic framework for empowered pregnancy and parenthood.
Julia Forest
Lead Prenatal & Postnatal Facilitator
Stefanie Antunes
Holistic Labor Support (Doula and Lamaze Educator)
Dr. Sairupa Krishnamurti
Naturopathic Doctor and expert in Ayurveda
Dr, Aviance Rhome-Boroff
Psychologist & Parental/Postnatal Yoga Teacher
Meet your Instructors
Course details
Duration and effort
- 8 day in-person training
- Plus Additional Online Content (including yoga classes, meditations, guest teachers & much more)
Mentorship
- Available during the in-person training
Location
- Villa Sumaya, Lake Atitlán, Guatemala
Certifications
- 85 HR Registered Prenatal Yoga Teacher (Yoga Alliance)
- Doula Certificate with Doula Training International
Talk to us
Any questions regarding the course? Schedule a Whatsapp call or Zoom with one of our facilitators.
In this course you will receive...
Our program provides internationally recognized certifications in both Prenatal Yoga and Doula services.
A Mayan Fire Ceremony
Open your journey at Villa Sumaya with a traditional Mayan fire ceremony.
A Lakefront Retreat Experience
The retreat center is steps away from the gorgeous Lake Atitlán and surrounded by mountains.
Receive additional support from your trainers in-person during your training experience.
What our students are saying...
“Julia is a fantastic teacher. She created a warm and community-like environment. I learned many skills and tools that I will use in my yoga classes, in my life and perhaps in my own pregnancy. I especially found learning her mindfulness and awareness based approach very valuable. This course is very thorough and addressed the various aspects of pregnancy: physiological, anatomical, psychological and spiritual. I highly recommend this course!”
-ML
Canada
“Awakened Spirit offers a well designed and presented training. Julia is incredibly knowledgeable and brings forth her expertise and experience in a thoughtful and nurturing way. I liked learning the changes that occur in each stage of pregnancy. In this course I discovered the value of living the life I want to live now, discovered my unique gifts that I have to offer to my students and how mindfulness brings about a deeper way of living an authentic life. ”
-NF
New Zealand
“Julia really cared about our personal growth as teachers. The environment that she created gave a feeling of community and intimacy that created a perfect foundation for our exploration of prenatal yoga. With years of experience as a yogi, yoga teacher, doula and prenatal teacher, Julia brings lots of knowledge and authentic care for each participant. She draws upon her real-life experience. I have learned more than I ever expected and feel so grateful for that.”
-LL
Germany
What’s unique about our approach?
Sacred Birth focuses on nurturing conscious pregnancy and parenthood while addressing the medical, political and spiritual considerations of birthing. Our approach blends traditional Hatha and Vinyasa yoga with the therapeutic tools such as mindfulness and holistic birth support to nurture an empowered pregnancy and birth.
This course is also offered virtually multiple times a year.
You will learn
- Teach prenatal yoga therapeutically to support a healthy pregnancy and birth
- Learn how to safely modify postures for pregnancy, with knowledge of modifications, contraindicated and beneficial postures for each trimester
- Understand anatomy and physiology of pregnancy, including western and eastern perspectives and the effects of pregnancy on the body, mind and spirit
- Gain a thorough understanding of birthing and pregnancy
- Learn skills that are immediately applicable to all of your classes
- Be mentored by a team of experienced and passionate teachers who are leaders in the field
- Explore the landscape of Birth in all its realms: physiological, psychological, sociological, historical, political and spiritual
- Acquire knowledge and tools to heal your own birthing stories
- Discover your authentic teaching voice and uncover the unique gifts that you have to offer through class exercise, the use of imagery, sequencing, birth art and facilitator support
- Encourage the harmonization of hormones and energy levels using yogic wisdom
- Design skillful sequencing, positions for labour, asana for childbirth preparation and postnatal recommendations for recovery
- Integrate all aspects of the practice: asana, breath work (pranayama), vocal toning (mantra), relaxation, working with themes, massage and pain reduction techniques to help create a more positive and relaxed birthing experience
- Come to an embodied understanding of our innate wisdom and the miracle of birth
Everyone is welcome, including the pregnant and postpartum. Babies in arms are welcome too!
Recommended for
Our program is holistically designed for those who are interested in learning a mind-body approach to pregnancy, childbirth and parenting preparation with a therapeutic focus.
- Yogis interested in learning about women’s health, pregnancy and conscious birthing
- Educators, counselors, midwives, healthcare professionals and women interested in expanding their knowledge in reproductive health and women-centered yoga practice
- Yoga teachers seeking to develop a niche in prenatal yoga and to deepen their facilitation and community building skills
What Students Are Saying...
“Loved my course with Awakened Spirit so much that I have signed on for several more since. Thanks for the great work you’re putting out there into the world :)”
- Avani Gilbert
I took my 85 hour prenatal yoga teacher training combined with a birth doula training with Awakened Spirit Yoga and I was blown away by the quality and variety of teaching staff. I especially enjoyed the rich learning environment that was created for the online learning environment. They have developed an interactive way of teaching that makes you feel as if you are meeting one another in person. I highly recommend this program and I have recommended it to many of my friends who teach.
- Diana Steadman
Prenatal Yoga & Doula Training Syllabus
Module 1
Prenatal Yoga
- The stages of pregnancy and effects on body and mind
- The physiology of pregnancy and childbirth
- Pregnancy and childbirth as a journey
- Deconstructing and transforming our relationship to pain
- The benefits of prenatal and postnatal yoga
- Modifications, contraindications and beneficial asanas for each trimester
- Postures to support a healthy pregnancy
- Sequencing and class themes
- Hands-on assisting in prenatal yoga
- Pranayama and sound techniques
- Relaxation and visualization for childbirth preparation and support of the birth experience
- Integrating mindfulness and cultivating awareness in your classes
- Incorporating imagery into cueing for breathwork and asana
- Massage, birthing techniques and laboring positions using yoga
- Postnatal yoga for healing and beneficial asanas to support the body after childbirth
- Simple infant massage and infant stimulation routine
- How to create a supportive community in your class environment
Module 2
Doula certification topics covered
- Role of the Doula
- Emotional, physical, and informational support of women and families in the prenatal period, at birth, and in the early postpartum period
- Involving support people
- Comfort measures
- Common interventions and medications
- How to become a Certified Doula with Awakened Spirit
- Scope of practice and Code of Ethics
- Interprofessional relationships
- How to build a Doula business
We’ve combined doula training into the program to provide a well-rounded knowledge base and approach to yoga teaching. Whether you choose to attend births or not, the knowledge, training, and hands-on experience gained from this portion will be invaluable to being able to fully support pregnant women and their families.
In the 18 hours dedicated to this topic, you will deepen your knowledge of the emotional, physical, and psychological aspects of pregnancy, birth, and the early parenting experience so you will feel prepared to answer common questions accurately and knowledgeably.
Certification Information
- Eligibility to qualify for doula certification with Doula Training International
- 85 hour Yoga Alliance Registered Prenatal Yoga Teaching Certification
R-PYT Eligibility
To gain yoga alliance certification as rpyt, a 200-hour yoga teacher training is required. Others can participate but will not be eligible for registration as a prenatal yoga teacher through Yoga Alliance.
- A minimum of 75 contact hours with Julia Forest (the training meets this requirement)
- 10 observation hours observing or assisting classes in your community
- Successful completion of teaching practicum with support of Julia, teaching team and peers
- 10 hours of homework readings to be completed after the course (this will be assigned in class)
Sample daily flow
6.30 am
Yoga & Movement practice
8 am
Breakfast
9 am
Yoga Philosophy
10.45 am
Yoga Lab, Anatomy or Methodology
12.15 pm
Lunch
2 pm
Yoga Philosophy
4.15 pm
Yoga Lab, Therapeutics or Methodology
7.15 pm
Dinner
8 pm
Evening activity; meditation, circle, movie or reflection. (3 times per week)
*first day starts with dinner and last day ends after breakfast
Location: Lake Atitlán, Guatemala
Lake Atitlán, Guatemala, often referred to as the jewel of the country’s highlands, provides a breathtaking backdrop for the Sacred Birth Retreat hosted at Villa Sumaya. Nestled along the serene shores of this majestic lake, Villa Sumaya offers unparalleled views of the surrounding volcanoes, creating a tranquil and inspiring setting for participants. The lake itself, renowned for its spiritual and natural beauty, is surrounded by lush hills and traditional Mayan villages, adding to the sacred ambiance of the retreat.
Talk to us
Have questions about the course? Arrange a Whatsapp call or Zoom session with one of our facilitators.
Investment
Course Tuition: $1850 + Accommodation: $994 -1344
**$100 off – Earlybird Pricing Ends August 31, 2024**
Accommodations
- Ginger Suites Shared Room (3 per room) : $1070
- Maya Rose Double Room (2 per room) : $1034
- Ginger Suites Double Room (2 per room): $1216
- Skyline Bungalows Private Room : $1398
- Maya Rose Private Room: $1398
Includes
8-day PYTT + Doula training including all classes, workshops, and training manual. The accommodation price includes the option of either shared or private room and board, complete with all meals.
Does not include
Airfare, Transportation to retreat center, and required reading texts.
Inclusivity Scholarship opportunities are available for this training! Click here to see if you’re eligible to apply.
Get started
Original price was: $1,850.00.$1,750.00Current price is: $1,750.00.
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Frequently asked questions
The prerequisites for the online yoga teacher trainings is only that you must be passionate and inspired to create a community of likeminded women who want to help support and guide other mothers safely through the practice of yoga. We only ask that you are dedicated and feel compelled to answer this very sacred call.
It is helpful to have prior teaching experience but isn’t necessary. Much of the course and the postures are referred to in Sanskrit and english terminology. It’s certainly recommended to have a previous practice of the asana or postures as the course content will flow with more ease and understanding and be able to assimilate the information more quickly. Please feel free to schedule a call with us to ask any other questions you may have regarding this!
Upon successful completion, you are eligible to register with the yoga alliance as a registered yoga teacher (ryt), and will be certified to teach yoga internationally. Once you’ve met all the requirements of the 85 hr prenatal yoga teacher training you’ll receive the designation of rpyt (registered prenatal yoga teacher) with eligibility to register with yoga alliance.
Yes, we offer the Sacred Birth Prenatal & Postnatal Yoga Teacher Training as a stand alone in a live virtual and also self-paced program. The yoga and conscious birthing curriculum is the same in both programs.
Questions about Guatemala
La Aurora International airport is a 4-4.5 hour drive from Lake Atitlán. Some people plan to go directly from the airport to training, which starts at 4pm on the first day, while others choose to stay in Antigua for a night to decompress, and then go to the lake the next day.
If you are interested in arriving earlier, you may be able to stay directly at the Villa Sumaya, if they have availability. Email us at Info@awakenedspirityoga.com for info.
We can help set up a shuttle for your arrival (and departure). The cost is dependent on how many others from the group will be joining you (you’ll receive an estimate prior to the shuttle). From Panajachel, you would then take a boat to the private dock of Villa Sumaya with the support of our team. Please view the full details in the welcome packet.
Full participation is required to complete the program and to receive your yoga alliance certification. Three hours of missed classes with a valid reason will be excused without makeup. Any additional hours missed will require communication with a facilitator and an action plan as to how hours can be completed. Additional costs may incur if one-on-one facilitator time is required to make up hours.
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