Antenatal Hypnobirthing & Birth Preparation Course
This course is led by myself & Emily-Clare Hill - bringing thorough insight from our experience as doulas and parents in Hackney.
The course has been created so you and your birth partner feel fully prepared and ready for your birth and postpartum.
What’s Included
In-depth interactive sessions covering pregnancy, birth planning, labour/birth tool kit, and postpartum preparations & support.
Comprehensive hypnobirthing tools, integrated throughout the sessions, breathing, relaxation, touch, massage, movement.
Access to our Online Birth Hubs, which include:
Hypnobirthing recordings & relaxation tracks for continuity and mindset support.
Birth preparation videos to practise at home.
Course manual as a downloadable PDF – all the information we cover is in there, so you can revisit it anytime and save paper.
Deeper study for those interested in in varying aspects of birth - specific hand picked articles, podcasts, video resources.
Varying downloadable supportive pdf's, such as birth partner cheat sheet for the day.
Birth Plans, for reference and guidance
Evidence-based research links, blogs, and additional resources.
What we cover
Biomechanics for birth.
How to prepare for parenthood.
Hypnobirthing.
Partner support.
Baby care, sleep & feeding.
Ongoing email support from the course until birth – reach out anytime with questions or guidance.
Invitation to a postnatal reunion for connection and reflection.
Group whatsapp for those who want to join - sharing info and support.
Understanding Birth & Your Body
The history of birthing, your preconceived ideas and why its important to update them.
Why preparing matters.
The science of birth: mind-body connection, hormones, and how your body works in labour.
Your rights and choices during pregnancy, labour, and birth.
Understanding the maternity system and how you make the right choice for you.
Language, fear, and conditioning: how they affect your birth & beyond and easy to overcome and support yourself
Supporting labour hormones naturally so your body can do what it’s designed to do.
The art of deep relaxation – the hypno part!
Importance of breathing, and how it supports you with positive effects on mind and body even to support in pregnancy.
Choosing care providers carefully, understanding your options, and building your birth support team.
Where to give birth, weighing options and risks vs benefits.
Preparing your body for a healthy, happy birth.
Emotional & Hypnobirthing Preparation
Getting to know your body and baby.
Labour and birth breathing techniques.
Deep relaxation tools
Anchors for rapid relaxation.
Releasing fears and limiting thoughts.
Comfort measures for labour: pharmaceutical and alternative pain relief.
Decision-making, birth preferences, and emotional preparation.
Birth Partner & Practical Birth Knowledge
The birth partner’s role: brainstorming, walking through the journey, and practical ways to help.
Myth-busting: what’s true and what’s not in birth information.
Stages of labour and how birth unfolds - what is may look like.
Baby positioning – head-down, breech, transverse – and options depending on your baby’s position.
Abdominal birth: what’s involved and what choices you have.
Possible scenarios and how to navigate them.
Monitoring, induction, interventions: options, evidence, risks, benefits.
Positioning & biomechanics techniques to support labour.
Approaching Birth & Postpartum
Journaling your way to birth and approaching labour with confidence.
What happens if things change or you go “post-term” (42 weeks).
Hospital bag & home birth prep checklists.
Optimal positions for labour & birth.
Signs of labour & what to look out for.
Labour timings – what happens when, signs to seek support, and avoiding unnecessary interventions.
Delayed cord clamping, placenta, vitamins, microbiome.
The power hours after birth – first moments and hours.
Womb-to-world transition – planning your fourth trimester.
Basics of breastfeeding or bottle-feeding.
Hypnobirthing Explained
Hypnobirthing isn’t “woo” or TV-style hypnosis – it’s about deep relaxation while staying aware. Self-hypnosis helps you stay calm and alert, letting your body do what it’s designed to do. Instead of “managing pain,” hypnobirthing teaches tools to support your body’s natural functions. Focuses on calm pregnancy, positive birth experiences, and building a strong bond with your baby.We focus on your rights, your options, and informed decision-making. One of the main things we’ll work on is releasing fear, because fear hormones like adrenaline and cortisol block oxytocin, the hormone your body needs for birth.Releasing fears, special breathing techniques, and deep relaxation help you stay calm and positive throughout labour.
The History & Evidence
Hypnobirthing was founded by Marie Mongan in 1989 in the US, and now taught in 46 countries.
Its roots trace back to Dr Grantly Dick-Read in 1912, who discovered that fear and tension disrupt the natural birth process.
Over 30 years of research show that relaxation, informed decision-making, and supportive care improve birth outcomes.
Along with my Hypnobirthing training, I’m a qualified Childbirth Educator (Childbirth International), a Mindful Breastfeeding Practitioner, and a Doula – combining years of experience to bring you a comprehensive, personalised programme.
Why This Course?
Evidence-based, integrated antenatal education covering hypnobirthing, birth physiology, emotional preparation, and practical tools.
Suitable for all births: unmedicated, physiological, or medically assisted.
Ongoing email support from the course until birth – reach out anytime with questions.
Empowers you to feel confident, informed, and supported, making choices that are right for you and your baby.
Guided by your two local doulas who know the way things work local to you - join Emily-Clare & Joelle Green.
Course Dates
In Stoke Newington - Mudra Yoga
Next course: January 17th, 18th & 24th
2-5pm (snacks welcome!)
In Stoke Newington - Mudra Yoga
Next course: March TBC
Turkey Retreat
Over the moon to present a 7 day retreat at Grenadine Lodge, a small yoga hotel in the Köyceğiz-Dalyan Nature Reserve between the village and the beach. With two swimming pools, two yoga shalas and a Turkish tree house where we can relax or meditate.
We arrive on Monday May 5th and depart on Monday May 12th (Full ‘Flower’ Moon!)
Dalyan known for miles of beautiful unspoilt beaches, a conservation area for the loggerhead sea turtle, Ancient ruins, mud baths, hot springs and great food.
I will lead 2 yoga classes daily in one of the two yoga shalas overlooking a pomegranate field with 1 day off to allow us to go further afield.
90 minute Morning Flow Yoga mindfully sequenced to allow a deep dive into the day's anatomical and philosophical theme. With options for differing energy levels and individual help offered to support progression.
90 minute Evening Restorative slow flow/yin yoga with sacred sound.
I will offer oils-based techniques for the neck and shoulders and close the practise with sacred sound/mantra with harmonium to sooth the nervous system further.
There is a mid-week break which we could use to either relax by the pool or explore the surrounding area; a boat trip, turtle sanctuary, trip to a waterfall, amber forests, the ancient temple site of Kaunos..
There are also hotel bikes we can use for a lovely easy 10 minute cycle into town or hop on a bus, 15 minutes to both the town or the beach.
Prices for my students start at £645 Sharing, £795 Single.
What’s included?
- 7 nights accommodation at Grenadine Lodge our beautiful yoga hotel.
-10 x 90 minute yoga classes with me spread over 5 of the days. Including Vinyasa Flow, Yin/Restorative, Mantra with harmonium in a Kirtan- call and response style. Breath-work and meditation.
-All yoga equipment.
- Delicious, nutritious brunches each morning and 5 evening meals, 2 nights where we can travel further afield if we wish.
What’s not included?
- Travel and insurance - flights and transfers to and from Grenadine Lodge are not included. However, Freespirit will support you as best they can, please see their travel section.
- Full length massage with myself or one of the lovely local practictioners.
- 2 of the evening meals so we can travel further afield if we wish.
-Local trips
I really hope you can join us!
You can find more info here
All booking is via Jilly & Debbie at Freespirit
info@freespirityoga.co.uk Telephone: 01273 564230
Kissamos Retreat
Sun, Sea & Yoga in beautiful Crete.
Kissamos, or Kastelli, offers a blend of local charm and seaside beauty, with its cobbled streets leading to traditional Cretan eateries by the sea. Our yoga retreat, located at the lovely Mavros Molos beach, has a yoga deck overlooking the calm clear sea.
The venue, a favourite among Greek tourists, is set against a dramatic mountainous backdrop, with options for hiking and trips to larger beaches and the organic olive oil groves at Astrikas in the local area.
Our hosts Michalis and Maria own the beachside taverna. They will be feeding us after the morning yoga class and on selected evenings during the week - we are keeping some evenings spare so we can visit the restaurants of Chania.
Maria is a fantastic cook and during the week there will be the option of attending a cookery class where we will be taught how to prepare traditional Greek vegetarian meals. - yum!
Ischia Retreat
Classes will run from the evening of the 30th until the morning of the 4th, 10 in total.
Sample day itinerary (everything optional and with a little timing flexibility):
8am Light snack.
8.30 90 minutes of energising yoga on the terrace, always with gentle and challenging options offered.
10.30 Brunch: fresh fruit, GF granola, avocado, eggs and simple but delicious lunch options if we’re in the villa that day.
12-5 Possible activities: Mountain walks, trips to hot springs such as Baia di Sorgeto and/or thermal spas. Hire an electric bike for some artisanal shopping, visit a craft market or simply read a book by the pool. Please also book yourself in with me for your oils-based massage for face, neck and shoulders.
5pm 75 minutes of Restorative/Yin yoga/ Sacred sound.
7pm onwards dinner in-house on 1st and 5th nights or out and about. We must check out the sunsets from the west coast maybe from the botanical gardens- Giardino Botanico Ravino.
Any questions message me directly or via our group whatsapp:) More photos here.
Flow & Song at The Arc, Islington Friday 12th May 6.30-8pm
An evening of flowing yoga to ease tension from the day and prepare our bodies and lungs to sing mantra in a call and response style accompanied with harmonium. All levels welcome. Yoga movements will focus on creating space, ease and improving symmetry in our bodies with some specific exercises to warm up our lungs and vocal chords. Gentle as well as playful options for those needing to soothe the nervous system or shift pent up/playful energy. Mantra will follow in a kirtan - call and response style, a soothing, life affirming form of bhakti/ devotional yoga.
Mallorca Retreat
Yoga Holiday in stunning Majorca.
11th-18th May. Minimum stay 3 nights.
So excited to announce this stunning yoga holiday on the South East Coast of Majorca.
Each day we will begin with a 2 hour yoga workshop on a private deck next to the beach followed by a delicious fresh breakfast after that you’ll be free to:
Snorkel, go horse riding, take a glass bottomed boat to beaches and coves inaccessible by land, explore the local markets and towns, have a massage, relax or practise some more yoga:)
For more info send me a message or follow this link.
A Week of Yoga and Dance in the Stunning French Pyrenees.
From Sun 15th – Sun 22nd April 2018 we will be running a week long residency aimed at professional, semi professional and degree stage dancers. Based in the truly magical Couserans Pyrénées, you will find space and time to reflect, form new ideas, escape the noise of the city and to connect with nature – a rare opportunity for professional dancers in the rush from rehearsals to theatre.
The course comprises 6 days of yoga, dance and choreography lead by four talented professional teachers – Lewis Wilkins, Matt Cleary, Anders Duckworth and Joelle Green. With places limited to just 16 dancers (including 4 non-residential places) an intensive learning experience is assured.
Each day will start with an hour of yoga, followed by three 90 minutes classes with a break for lunch. The classes will offer the opportunity to improve technique, collaborate and to explore new ways of movement and expression. This will culminate in new pieces of choreography which will form part of a larger performance open to the public on the final evening.
The price of the residential course is £435 (485 euros) inclusive of transfers from Toulouse Blagnac Airport, gite accommodation and all meals. 4 non-residential places are also being offered to local dancers of suitable ability/experience who are able to travel each day to the venue. The price of the non-residential course is 200 euros.
For more information and to book visit http://pyreneesdance.com/