Birthlight
To download a brochure (PDF), please click here
The Birthlight Trust is a non-profit organisation dedicated to enhance the health and wellbeing of women and their families from conception through to the third year. We use simple body-based practices inspired from yoga and traditional modes of parenting. Some of our practices are land-based and others are in water. Our aim is to enhance the wellbeing of women and their partners through the journey of pregnancy and birth, and to help parents and infants relax in shared enjoyment of their new life together.
Spirals Of Joy And Wellbeing
Our overall approach is integrated and holistic, in partnership with mainstream health care. In today's fast paced world, despite medical advances, ensuring the physical and emotional nurturing of pregnant women and new families remains a priority so simple that it can be forgotten. There is increasing research evidence that positive experiences of pregnancy, birth and early parenting have numerous and lasting health benefits. From conception to the third year, parents can join birthlight classes at any point to create what we call an 'expanding spiral of joy and wellbeing'.
25 years Of Teaching Experience
We use breathing awareness, spinal alignment, adapted yoga poses and flow-movement, touch, sound and relaxation in innovative programmes supported by an extensive underpinning knowledge of anatomy, physiology and scientific research evidence. Our programme is the result of a long process of adaptation, testing and teaching experience.
Background
Birthlight has grown organically from small pioneering classes for groups of women and families that Francoise Barbira Freedman set up in Cambridge in the 1980's. As an anthropologist whose research at Cambridge University involved sharing the lives of Amazonian rainforest people in Peru, Francoise was profoundly influenced by the care and support she received from them while she was pregnant with her first child and as a new mother. Using her skills in swimming and yoga, she developed new practices to translate what she had learnt in the Amazon for the benefit of Western parents. Mostly through word of mouth about positive outcomes, birthlight has grown from Cambridge homespun classes to a wide international network of trainers, teachers and parents.
Birthlight training started with opportunities opened by Robin Monro and the Yoga Biomedical Trust in London. Early courses have served as templates for many of the trainings currently offered in the UK in Perinatal Yoga, Baby Yoga and WellWoman Yoga.
Birthlight training is supported by the publication of books and visual materials. Francoise is the author of eight books, most of which are currently translated into other languages, and has co-authored a further three books with Doriel Hall.
Together, birthlight training tutors are shaping the content and format of courses as Birthlight grows in order to better respond to the needs of pregnant women and new parents and babies around the world. Our partners in Zurich, Moscow, Singapore and Sydney have pioneered the creation of international birthlight centres.
Francoise's on-going academic career as a Cambridge anthropologist is closely tied with the development of Birthlight as a network that spans across worldwide midwifery organisations, inter-disciplinary scientific research communities and humanitarian international associations.
Our Training Methods Integrate:
 |
Theory and hands on practice |
|
Rigorous professional standards and friendly supportive style |
|
Scientific research evidence and practical interventions |
|
Information and proficiency, confidence and practical teaching skills |
Our Courses Include:
|
Comprehensive illustrated course manuals and practice worksheets with abundant resources |
|
Access to an innovative Training Portal |
|
Web resources |
|
Training with visiting pregnant women and mothers with babies as much as possible besides practice with dolls |
|
Membership offers access to a vast network of trained teachers throughout the UK and worldwide |
|
The Guide to Birthlight offers a comprehensive introduction to new members |
Five Main Training Areas (with Overlaps):
|
Perinatal Yoga: Yoga for Pregnancy, Postnatal Yoga, Childbirth Prep, Birthlight Yoga for Maternity Professionals |
|
Baby Yoga: Postnatal & baby nurture, Baby Yoga, SMART Toddler Yoga, Special Babies & Toddlers Yoga |
|
Aqua Yoga: Aqua Yoga, Aquanatal Yoga, Aqua Yoga Therapy) |
|
Infant Aquatics: Baby Swimming, SMART Toddler Swimming, Special Babies & Toddlers Aquatics |
|
WellWoman Yoga: Fertility Yoga, WellWoman Yoga Therapy |
Levels of training
In each training area, birthlight offers three levels of training:
|
Level 1 or Part 1 Courses impart core sets of practices with underpinning theoretical knowledge and teaching points. (3 - 4 day courses with coursework) |
|
Level 2 or Part 2 Diploma Courses provide an expansion of the training imparted on Level 1 courses and a completion of practical competence on the basis of teaching experience. (2 - 3 day courses) |
|
Level 3 Courses offer a deeper level of understanding of anatomy, physiology and research findings in relation to teaching experience and professional development. (1 - 2 day courses) |
|
Modular Courses, Short Courses and Study Days complement birthlight trainings at Levels 1 and 2 with specific sets of teaching materials. Modules can be combined and integrated across the birthlight areas of training. These courses are part of our Continuous Professional Development (CPD) programme that guarantees quality standards for teaching safely and professionally with updated theory and techniques. |
Qualifications Obtained
|
Certified Birthlight Qualification (Level 1)
On completion of Level 1 Training Courses and relevant assignments. |
|
Certified Birthlight Teacher Qualification (Level 2)
On completion of Level 1 and Level 2 trainings within any teaching area. |
|
Birthlight Practitioner
On completion of Level 2 Training Courses and two Modular Courses or Short Courses in any teaching area (corresponding to 10 days of contact tuition for Yoga Alliance courses). |
|
Certified Teachers are listed on Birthlight's online Register of Teachers and their services are directly accessible to members of the public. Birthlight Practitioners have personal profiles as well as listings. |
The following courses will be offered in Sydney, Australia in 2012: Perinatal (Pregnancy & Postnatal) Yoga, Baby Yoga, Infant Aquatics and Aquanatal Yoga.
|
