Julia East
My journey into the world of mums and babies began when I was travelling in the early 1990s. Whilst working as a massage therapist at a yoga centre in Greece I was inspired by an extraordinary midwife. I returned to London and began training as a midwife myself. Alongside my midwifery training I searched for more ideas and different approaches to birth. I attended talks, conferences and courses gaining more insight into birth from experts in the field. It was also at this time I met Francoise, and inspired once again, my involvement with Birthlight began.
I began working as a midwife at the Whittington Hospital in North London. This involved being part of a community team, working both in the hospital and in the local community, attending home births and providing postnatal care. I also worked at the Hospital St John & St Elizabeth where I felt the holistic approach to pregnancy and birth suited my own ethos. At the same time I began teaching pregnancy and postnatal yoga classes. I had a deeply held belief that preparing for birth with yoga could be of enormous benefit to mothers and through my combined work I witnessed this time and time again. Upon request I began offering birth preparation workshops for couples, so birth partners felt more equipped to offer support during labour.
I was blessed with the birth of my own daughter, followed by my son two and a half years later. I then took time out of midwifery to nurture my own family. We moved to Cambridge and I was delighted to meet Sally and join the Cambridge Birthlight community. I am currently teaching pregnancy and postnatal yoga classes, birth preparation workshops, working as a birth and postnatal doula and offering pregnancy massage.
In my classes I aim to create a safe space where women can share their hopes, fears, knowledge and experiences. Whilst breathing, stretching and relaxing together, we have fun, release tension and connect with our babies. Sharing this special time, I hope women feel nurtured and supported by myself as well as each other.
