INTENTIONALLY EMBODIED BIRTH
FACILITATOR TRAINING
Current Students Access On Demand Content Here:
Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:
Instruct prenatal yoga courses that encourage and equip expectant students
Teach postpartum yoga, core rehabilitation, and baby and me classes
Coach and doula women, birthing individuals, and their families throughout pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum
Establish a secure and supportive space where all women and birthing individuals can feel valued, empowered, and heard during their journey
Mindfully direct your clients through the sacred birth portal and beyond, both physically and emotionally
Start and operate a profitable and enduring birth business, allowing you to give back to your community.
Spring 2025
Three weekends in Atlanta with Lauren Shields and guest instructors
40+ hours of OnDemand content
Two 30 minute Private Coaching Calls with Lauren S.
Spiral Bound Full Color Training Manual
Schedule:
February 28-March 2: Guiding the Pregnant Student
April 25-27th: Healing Through Postpartum
June 6th-8th: The Awakened Doula
What previous students are saying:
Lauren Bernazza, Doulas of ATL
"Training with Lauren Shields and Meraki Mama Collective was life changing and career growing training that I recommend to anyone interested in reproductive health. Perinatal yoga is so much more than modifications to asanas, it's about understanding optimal fetal positioning to prepare birthing people for labor and delivery, pelvic floor health, and healing the body after pregnancy and delivery. Lauren Shields is an amazing teacher."
Jinel Payne, MoBa Lactation and Fitness
I took Lauren’s prenatal teacher training course. I took the course with the intention of learning as much as I could to best serve the women in my community. I received more than expected. The teacher training course was an experience I will never forget. Lauren is knowledgeable, patient and resourceful. As a prenatal yoga teacher I felt more confident after completing this training course.
Mahogany Harrington
The perinatal yoga teacher training is FANTASTIC. Lauren gave us the tools to safely guide pregnant and postpartum students through yoga specifically created for the perinatal body. This training really opened my eyes to so many (more) of the disparities within the birthing community. This training played a huge part in enrolling in additional birthwork and wanting to do my part in helping bridge the gap between expecting parents and new aged ideologies surrounding birth. I will forever be grateful for my experiences at Meraki 💕
Marnie Memmelo, Maha Moon
"Lead teacher, Lauren Shields is highly knowledgeable and skilled instructor. She is well organized. Co-ordinated skilled and accomplished guest presenters. The program was well thought out and she was able to easily adapt the training to an on-line format in the midst of the pandemic crisis."
HEALING YOUR INNER GODDESS, Step into your role as the wise woman
Deprogram from patriarchal teachings of birth and women that are pervasive throughout modern medical culture. Our program focuses on remembering Divine Feminine and Goddess Energy, who is reflected in every pregnancy journey, no matter the specifics of the journey.
Lean into your own intuitive and cyclical nature, move through emotions and energies with breath and movement, and walk a more authentic path while learning to how to share this wisdom with your clients.
“Birth happens in the body, not in the mind.
Therefore, mindfulness & movement should be at the core of birth preparation.”
— Lauren Shields, creator of Meraki Method
This program is created, written, and led by Lauren Shields, MS, CCC-SLP, CD(DONA), E-RYT200, RPYT, YACEP
Empowering Birthing People with Mindfulness and Movement
For over two decades, Lauren has been a dedicated yogi, transforming hundreds of birthing experiences with her approach. By integrating mindfulness, movement, and solution-based birth and postpartum planning, she has seen firsthand the tremendous impact that yoga, meditation, breath work, and pilates can have on a person's physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. These practices, when incorporated during pregnancy, are known to have long-lasting effects throughout the birthing process and postpartum period. Lauren is a firm believer that a consistent practice of mindfulness can establish a supportive lifestyle for motherhood and parenthood, beyond just childbirth. By combining her passions for fitness, science, and education, she empowers birthing people to make intuitive choices based on their body wisdom, rather than fear or a need for control.
Lauren strongly believes that all mothers and birthing people deserve doula support, no matter how they choose to utilize it. The pandemic and healthcare's response to it have altered the way birth is supported, creating a greater need for birth keepers who can offer compassion and mindfulness throughout the childbearing year. Unfortunately, the lack of support, heightened fear, and reduced access to in-person classes have led to increased rates of perinatal mood disorders. It is time to take action and become the birth keepers we so desperately need, supporting the full spectrum of the childbearing year with mindfulness and compassion.
Next session starts February 28th, 2025
What is Intentional Embodiment?
Intentional Embodiment is a powerful tool that allows us to experience life through our bodies. By deliberately engaging with our energy and experiences, we foster mindfulness, intuition, and connect to body wisdom that help us stay grounded and present in the moment.
Traditionally, childbirth education focuses on cognitive learning and gather information about the birthing process, with limited emphasis on movement practices such as dance and yoga. However, the Intentionally Embodied Birth experience emphasizes mindfulness, movement, and body wisdom to balance energies and integrate new information. This approach enables birthers to easily access a sense of calm and acceptance amidst the chaotic and stressful moments of the child-bearing year.
The Intentionally Embodied Birth draws on principles of yogic & Ayurvedic practices, physical therapy, Pilates, midwifery care, psychology, sociology, and reiki energy healing to connect practitioners to the Divine Feminine energies of creativity, surrender, and grounding. It emphasizes finding balance and rhythm to facilitate the birthing experience, and create a deeper sense of awareness and connection between the mind and body.
This training is for you if you:
feel called to support birthing people in your community
are a doula
are a yoga teacher
are a pilates instructor
are a chiropractor
are a physical therapist
are a lactation consultant
already work as a birth keeper, but would like to integrate more mindfulness and movement into your practice
Program Structure:
The journey…
-
The realities of birth work and the need for evolution
Understanding your connection to birth
Meeting your shadow
Balance of masculine and feminine energies
Conscious activism
Boundaries in birth work
Healing the mother and sister wound
Conscious birth keeping
Holding Space
Removing shame and fear from your toolbox
Processing emotions and energies
Establishing your personal practice
-
The history of birth
The shadow of birth
Yoga: The Ancient Practice
Ayurveda: The Ancient Science of Balance
Foundations of Pilates
Energetics 101
-
Anatomy of the birthing body
The Four Trimesters
Physiological Birth
The Energies of the Childbearing Year
The Sacred Portal
Nourishing Postpartum
What is Success?
Mothering and Nourishment
Birthing after Trauma
-
Intentional Embodiment
The Practices
Bring birth from the shadows
Creating movement classes
Leading partner energy sessions
Language Matters
Feeding Intuition during sessions
Birth & Postpartum Planning
Postpartum Doula Support
Moving like Water: The Birth
Integrating the Energies: Opening, Grounding, Rhythms
Neutral Support
Teaching peace through chaos and pain
Guiding the home practice
-
Creating a business that reflects you
Building your network
Attaining your clients
How to create an engaging website
Your ideal client
Finding your unique voice in the world
Money magnetism
Social Media that doesn’t suck
Your packages
Contracts
Systems of your business
Meet your guides
-
Lauren Shields, E-RYPT200, RPYT, YACEP, MS, CCC-SLP, CD(DONA)
LEAD INSTRUCTOR
Lauren Shields has attended over 50 births including home birth, hospital birth, vaginal birth + surgical birth, and has worked intimately with hundreds of birthing people in her studio. Her curriculum is designed with the intention of developing students into strong community leaders that can fully support students in the childbearing year with compassion and unbiased information, able to design effective and creative classes that address all the needs of their students. She is passionate that more knowledgable prenatal and postpartum yoga instructors in the community can help to improve maternal mortality rates in the US, especially for black women.
-
Tracy Jennings-Hill, ERYT 500, C-IAYT, YACEP, Ayurvedic Lifestyle Coach, Jyotish (Vedic Astrologer), Postpartum Doula
AYURVEDA FOR THE CHILDBEARING YEAR
Tracy shares her passion and wealth of knowledge regarding application of Ayurveda to bringing balance to the perinatal experience through food, activities, movement, breath work, and aromatherapy.
Tracy found her yoga practice over 20 years ago, as a way to heal after her husband was killed while on active duty. Yoga helped her begin to rebuild her life and as she was retiring from the US Air Force, she continued to practice. In addition to healing from her loss, she struggled with sciatica, refusing to take medications so as a way to help maintain a healthy and balanced mental and physical lifestyle she continued dabbling in different disciplines of yoga, discovering the Vinyasa style, finding her yoga home. As she grew to understand the value of the mind/body connection, she decided to pursue her dream of becoming a fitness professional but more importantly a yoga teacher, embodying all aspects of both professions.
-
Dr. Amanda Zimmerman, CNM, DNP
BIRTH IN AMERICA
Amanda shares her wealth of knowledge of the landscape of midwifery in the US. This hospital based midwife lectures on the midwifery model of care, the history of birth, how doulas can best support their clients in a hospital birth setting, understanding interventions, and so much more.
-
Keisha Reeves, LPC
PERINATAL MENTAL HEALTH
Keisha Reeves is a certified in perinatal mental health serving women who are trying to conceive, have fertility issues, have experienced infant loss, transitioning into motherhood as well as postpartum depression. She is the founder and clinical director of her group practice, Push Thru Therapy, in Atlanta, Ga. She has volunteered with Northside Hospital’s bereavement group. She serves on the Postpartum Support International Georgia Chapter Board. And she currently is one of the facilitators of the Mocha Moms Group at Atlanta Birth Center. Black maternal health and reproductive education is a strong passion of hers. Providing access to resources and providing mental health services to women of color is a mission of Keisha’s. Having suffered from postpartum anxiety disorder herself she understands the importance of creating a platform to help other black mothers going through the same thing.
Keisha is a mother of two boys and currently lives in Atlanta, Georgia.
https://www.pushthrumom.com
-
Christina Kanu
BUILDING YOUR BUSINESS
Christina Kanu was named one of World Wide Women Group’s Women Influencers in 2016. She is the CEO of Christina Kanu Consulting LLC. Christina Kanu Consulting is a business and brand consulting firm. Her personal motto is “Changing the world one leader at a time” and she does this daily through her efforts. She is a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated. Christina was named one of the Top 22 Sorors under 40 by Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. in 2021. Christina also serves on the Board of Directors for World Wide Women Group. She received her BA from Old Dominion University in English Literature. She received her MA in African American Studies from Clark Atlanta University in 2018. She also received her Certificate in Women’s Entrepreneurship from Cornell University. Christina is the host of the Babies, Books, and Business Podcast. She uses this platform to help women navigate motherhood, business, and higher education.
https://christinakanu.com
-
Samantha Rose, Traditional Midwife/Birthkeeper
Womb Keeper, Sovereign Woman and Intuitive maiden.
Samantha’s calling to womb work comes from a deep knowing that as women, we hold sacred knowledge and power in our bodies. Sadly, because of the world we live in, most of us have forgotten or ignored that power. Reviving that power through the remembrance of our womb’s ancient wisdom is how we heal not only ourselves but generations to come and thus the world.
She believes menarche, pregnancy, birth and menopause are sacred rites of passage. These initiations are invitations to heal not only ourselves but ancestral wounds that our lineage may carry.
Her own near death experience was the catalyst for an almost decade long search to restore my health on my terms. Her frustration with the industrialized medical system has informed her personal choice to seek holistic {mind | body | spirit} healing outside allopathic structures. On this journey, she encountered new mindsets, practices and people who have helped show Samantha her soul’s purpose of sharing her journey with other women so that they too may reclaim their bodily sovereignty.
Samantha recently completed a rotation with the Mamas (Midwives) of the Kichwa people in the Sábata Community of Archidona, Ecuador.
https://www.wholeheartedatl.com
-
Dr. Tina, PT, DPT, Pelvic Health Specialist, Doula
PELVIC FLOOR HEALTH
In 2020, Dr. Tina founded Competent Heart Perinatal Specialist, LLC (CHPS), where she supports families from fertility to postpartum and beyond, to actualize their heart’s desire for a positive childbearing experience as they journey through the transformations of bringing forth and nurturing new life. She incorporates knowledge and expertise as a Licensed Doctor of Physical Therapy, Pelvic Health Specialist, Level 1 Naturopathic Reiki Practitioner, Yoga and Acupressure student.
https://www.chperinatal.com
FAQs
-
We have a strict no refund policy. Please make sure you are ready for this training prior to getting started.
-
Scholarship OPPORTUNITY:
MMC offers scholarships to BIPOC (black, indigenous, people of color) trainees who plan to serve our most vulnurable birthing People, black & brown women.
Requirements:
•500 word essay sharing why you’d like to complete this TRAININg, the area you plan to serve, your background, etc.
• must commit to the full 12 week program
• share A photo of you serving your Village
• share your IG PROFILE
• SHARE YOUR WEBSITE (if you already have one.)
Submission can be made below.
-
Yes, and we hope that you will. After this training, you will be ready to support birthing people as they prepare for birth, birth their babies, and coach them through postpartum. You’ll be prepared to do it both in person and virtually.
-
Yes, you’ll be ready to lead prenatal yoga, postpartum yoga, prenatal pilates and postpartum pilates Foundations class.
-
Paid in full at the start of training, the program is $4,000.
We also have payment plans:
2 installments of $2,100
4 installments of $1,100
6 installments of $710
12 installments of $350
-
IEB integrates mindfulness and movement into how we support clients, and trains you for a wide range of offerings so that you can show up for your community how ever they most need you. Our program also focuses on helping you to create healthy boundaries and practices to help you build a sustainable business.
Our program is also one of few doula and prenatal yoga programs that is led by women of color. Our program focuses on centering the voices and needs of BIPOC birthing people who don’t see themselves in other wellness spaces.
-
This program deeply integrates doula support to train a well-informed yoga and movement teacher who can show up for their students like a doula in the classroom or studio. A better understanding of birth culture supports inclusive conversations around the childbearing year, further building community where birthers feel safe and protected.
Again, few prenatal yoga programs are written and led by women of color. This program aims to center BIPOC voices and needs to improve maternal outcomes for all birthers.
-
Yes. If you are a Registered Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance prior to the start of this program, you are eligible for your Registered Prenatal Yoga Teacher designation after this training. YA requires that you teach 30 prenatal yoga hours prior between the training and receiving your new designation.
The investment
Signing up for our program is not only an investment in yourself and your career, but also an investment in all the birthing communities that you’ll touch through with your new skills and new view of the childbearing year.
EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION: Take $200 off the full price when you register by January 1st, 2025.
What you’ll get:
IEBC Training Manual
Three 20 hour in person weekends in Atlanta with Lauren and guest teachers
Two One on One Virtual Coaching Sessions with Lauren to answer specific questions and support your goals
over 40 hours of OnDemand content
Over 75 resource links, articles, and pdfs
Access to Meraki Mama Collective in person yoga classes (observation + practice)
Eligibility for Registered Prenatal Yoga Teacher designation with Yoga Alliance (given 200 or 500hr status)
OUR PROGRAM IS FULLY ACCREDITED BY YOGA ALLIANCE. ATTENDANTS HOLDING RYT DESIGNATIONS WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR REGISTERED PRENATAL YOGA TEACHER DESIGNATION AFTER COMPLETION OF THE PROGRAM**.
$2,500 $4,000
PAID IN FULL
Payment plans available
Apply for a scholarship to cover up to $500 towards your tuition
FILL OUT THIS FORM AND HIT SUBMIT TO APPLY FOR $500 CREDIT TOWARD YOUR TRAINING PROGRAM. SCHOLARSHIPS ARE PRIORITIZED TO BIPOC TRAINEES AND TRAINEES PLANNING TO SERVE BIPOC COMMUNITIES AND FAMILIES.
** Yoga Alliance requires 30 hours of prenatal yoga instruction post certification to receive Registered Prenatal Yoga Teacher designation.