Empowering Women's Health and Wellbeing, Supporting New Life
Our Story
At Birthlight, we are a small UK-based charity with a rich history that dates back to 2000. Over the years, we have strived to foster an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive. Our story began with informal, small birth preparation classes taught by our founder, Dr. Francoise Freedman, in Cambridge in the 1980s. Dr. Freedman, an anthropologist at Cambridge University, shared her knowledge and expertise with parents-to-be, laying the foundation for Birthlight.
Our Team
Our team is composed of experts in their respective fields. Dr. Francoise Freedman, our founder and director, is a pioneer in the field of perinatal yoga. She is a senior yoga teacher, acclaimed writer, and lecturer of social anthropology at the University of Cambridge. Kirsteen Ruffell, our coordinator for land-based training courses, is a registered senior yoga teacher with Yoga Alliance Professionals and has been teaching yoga since 1998. Carol Anne Procter, our special baby swimming tutor, is a certified aquatic specialist with over 10 years of experience in warm water therapy for adults and children. We also have a collective team, which includes everyone who has connected with us, whether through training or working together, and shares our mission.
Our Services
At Birthlight, we offer a range of services that cater to the diverse needs of women, parents, and babies before and after birth. Our innovative yoga courses include:
- Perinatal Yoga: Specially adapted yoga for women journeying through pregnancy, birth, and postnatal recovery.
- Aqua Yoga: A unique blend of yoga and water therapy designed for women's health and wellbeing, pre- and postnatal.
- Baby Yoga: Gentle, researched-based practices for babies and toddlers, tailored to their needs and developmental stages.
- Baby Swimming: Certified aquatic training for parents and caregivers, teaching essential water skills to enhance baby's development.
- Well-Woman Yoga: Yoga for women's health and wellbeing, addressing specific needs and concerns.
In-house Training
We recognize the importance of tailor-made training solutions for various organizations and providers. Our in-house training courses cater to the unique needs of our partners, incorporating Birthlight's expert knowledge and research-based approaches.
Partnerships
Our partnerships with esteemed organizations, such as the Swimming Teachers' Association and the World Aquatics Babies & Children's Network, further endorse our commitment to enhancing women's health, parental education, and community engagement.
Our Charity
As a registered charity (No. 1088207), we strive to be an independent source of support, information, and original body-based practices for women, parents, and babies before and after birth. Our mission remains to foster a culture of inclusivity, respect, and understanding, promoting healthy relationships and well-being for all.
Overall Experience
The reviewers have had an overwhelmingly positive experience with Birthlight, praising the organisation's courses, teachers, and training methods.
Courses and Training
The prenatal yoga class, baby yoga, baby massage, and toddler yoga courses have been highly praised by the reviewers. The training courses have been described as professional, inspiring, and valuable, with a perfect balance between tradition and science.
Teachers and Tutors
The teachers and tutors at Birthlight have been praised for their depth of knowledge, anatomical, physiological, emotional, and spiritual understanding. They have been described as amazing, lovely, and fantastic, with a unique ability to impart knowledge from the heart.
Community and Support
The reviewers have appreciated the sense of community and support they have received from Birthlight, with many having made strong connections and formed friendships with other students and teachers.
Recommendations
The reviewers have highly recommended Birthlight for any aspect of women's health yoga training, particularly for those specialising in pre- and postnatal yoga.
