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Introduction
Explore our 85-hour dual-certification program and retreat, a rich source of transformation, learning, and inspiration. We applaud your choice to join a global movement of changemakers committed to empowering, healing, and nurturing the birthing process.
Yoga and holistic birth support stand as potent therapeutic tools, empowering the entire journey from pregnancy to parenthood. This internationally acclaimed training program will spark your journey towards facilitating healing and transformation throughout pregnancy and beyond. Join us in this transformative experience.
Julia Forest
Facilitator for Prenatal Yoga portion
Stefanie Antunes
Facilitator for Doula portion
Course details
Duration and effort
- 85 hours
- 7 days
Mentorship
- One-on-One during the in-person training with dedicated mentors
Classes
- Daily Yoga Practice & Meditations
- Scroll down to view the full Curriculum
Material
- In-person, live lectures and classes
- Awakened Spirit Yoga Illustrated Manual (hard-copy)
Location
- Playa Azul, Costa Rica (One Hour North of Nosara)
Certification
- 85 HR Registered Prenatal Yoga Certificate (Yoga Alliance)
- Doula Certificate
Talk to us
Book a consultation call with one of our facilitators to determine if this course is the perfect fit for you! Scheduling is convenient through WhatsApp or Zoom.
Recommended for
- Yoga enthusiasts seeking a holistic perspective on women's health, pregnancy, and conscious birthing
- Yoga instructors aiming to specialize in prenatal yoga while refining their teaching and community-building skills
- Educators, counselors, midwives, and healthcare professionals looking to expand their knowledge in reproductive health and women-centered yoga
- Mothers-to-be interested in cultivating mindfulness and holistic well-being during their pregnancy journey
- Advocates of holistic health and wellness in their communities
Our program takes a holistic approach, offering a mind-body perspective on pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting preparation with a strong therapeutic emphasis.
You will learn
- Teach prenatal yoga therapeutically to support a healthy pregnancy and birth
- Learn how to safely modify postures for pregnancy, with knowledge of modifications, contraindicated and beneficial postures for each trimester
- Understand anatomy and physiology of pregnancy, including western and eastern perspectives and the effects of pregnancy on the body, mind and spirit
- Gain a thorough understanding of birthing and pregnancy
- Learn skills that are immediately applicable to all of your classes
- Be mentored by a team of experienced and passionate teachers who are leaders in the field
- Explore the landscape of Birth in all its realms: physiological, psychological, sociological, historical, political and spiritual
- Acquire knowledge and tools to heal your own birthing stories
- Unearth your genuine teaching voice and unveil your distinct talents by engaging in class exercises, utilizing imagery, crafting sequences, exploring birth art, and receiving facilitator guidance.
- Encourage the harmonization of hormones and energy levels using yogic wisdom
- Design skillful sequencing, positions for labour, asana for childbirth preparation and postnatal recommendations for recovery
- Integrate all aspects of the practice: asana, breath work (pranayama), vocal toning (mantra), relaxation, working with themes, massage and pain reduction techniques to help create a more positive and relaxed birthing experience
- Come to an embodied understanding of our innate wisdom and the miracle of birth
All are welcome, including the pregnant and postpartum. Babies in arms are welcome too! (Or if you are interested, this course is also offered ONLINE for a limited time only.)
No previous yoga teaching experience required.
What’s unique about our approach?
Sacred Birth is dedicated to fostering conscious pregnancy and parenthood, addressing the multifaceted aspects of birthing, including medical, political, and spiritual considerations. Our methodology seamlessly integrates traditional Hatha and Vinyasa yoga with therapeutic techniques like mindfulness and holistic birth support to empower and nurture the journey of pregnancy and birth.
In this course you will
- Receive an internationally recognized certification in prenatal yoga teaching and become a certified Doula
- Acquire the foundational principles of our holistic and multidisciplinary yoga approach
- Uncover the resources, motivation, and community to foster lasting change
- Rejuvenate your mind, body, and soul with daily yoga, meditation, and alignment with the natural world
- Return home invigorated, with a revitalized sense of purpose, an extended community, and profound inspiration
What our students are saying...
“Julia is a fantastic teacher. She created a warm and community-like environment. I learned many skills and tools that I will use in my yoga classes, in my life and perhaps in my own pregnancy. I especially found learning her mindfulness and awareness based approach very valuable. This course is very thorough and addressed the various aspects of pregnancy: physiological, anatomical, psychological and spiritual. I highly recommend this course!”
-ML
Canada
“Awakened Spirit offers a well designed and presented training. Julia is incredibly knowledgeable and brings forth her expertise and experience in a thoughtful and nurturing way. I liked learning the changes that occur in each stage of pregnancy. In this course I discovered the value of living the life I want to live now, discovered my unique gifts that I have to offer to my students and how mindfulness brings about a deeper way of living an authentic life. ”
-NF
New Zealand
“Julia really cared about our personal growth as teachers. The environment that she created gave a feeling of community and intimacy that created a perfect foundation for our exploration of prenatal yoga. With years of experience as a yogi, yoga teacher, doula and prenatal teacher, Julia brings lots of knowledge and authentic care for each participant. She draws upon her real-life experience. I have learned more than I ever expected and feel so grateful for that.”
-LL
Germany
Talk to us
Any questions or regarding the course? Speak with one of our facilitators here via Zoom or Whatsapp.
Syllabus
We’ve combined a doula training into the program to provide a well-rounded knowledge base and approach to yoga teaching. Whether you choose to attend births or not, the knowledge, training, and hands-on experience gained from this portion will be invaluable to being able to fully support pregnant women and their families.
Module 1
Prenatal Yoga
- The stages of pregnancy and effects on body and mind
- The physiology of pregnancy and childbirth
- Pregnancy and childbirth as a journey
- Deconstructing and transforming our relationship to pain
- The benefits of prenatal and postnatal yoga
- Modifications, contraindications and beneficial asanas for each trimester
- Postures to support a healthy pregnancy
- Sequencing and class themes
- Hands-on assisting in prenatal yoga
- Pranayama and sound techniques
- Relaxation and visualization for childbirth preparation and support of the birth experience
- Integrating mindfulness and cultivating awareness in your classes
- Incorporating imagery into cueing for breathwork and asana
- Massage, birthing techniques and laboring positions using yoga
- Postnatal yoga for healing and beneficial asanas to support the body after childbirth
- Simple infant massage and infant stimulation routine
- How to create a supportive community in your class environment & much more…
Module 2
Doula certification topics covered
- Role of the Doula
- Emotional, physical, and informational support of women and families in the prenatal period, at birth, and in the early postpartum period
- Involving support people
- Comfort measures
- Common interventions and medications
- How to become a Certified Doula with Awakened Spirit
- Scope of practice and Code of Ethics
- Interprofessional relationships
- How to build a Doula business
Upon successfully finishing this course, you will attain certification from Doula School International as a doula. To achieve full certified doula status, you will be required to complete three births, along with the additional steps outlined in the pamphlet provided. This comprehensive process ensures that you are well-prepared and equipped to offer exceptional support to expectant mothers and families during the birthing process.
In the 18 hours dedicated to this topic, you will deepen your knowledge of the emotional, physical, and psychological aspects of pregnancy, birth, and the early parenting experience so you will feel prepared to answer common questions accurately and knowledgeably.
This program includes
- Daily guided yoga practices
- Eligibility to qualify for doula certification with Doula School International
- 85 hour Yoga Alliance Registered Prenatal Yoga Teaching Certification
R-pyt eligibility
To gain yoga alliance certification as RPYT, a 200-hour yoga teacher training is required. Others can participate but will not be eligible for registration as a prenatal yoga teacher through Yoga Alliance.
Participants also require
- A minimum of 75 contact hours with Julia Forest (the training meets this requirement)
- 10 observation hours observing or assisting classes in your community
- Successful completion of teaching practicum with support of Julia, teaching team and peers
- 10 hours of homework readings to be completed after the course (this will be assigned in class)
Sample daily flow
6.30 am
Yoga & Movement practice
8 am
Breakfast
9 am
Yoga Philosophy
10.45 am
Yoga Lab, Anatomy or Methodology
12.15 pm
Lunch
2 pm
Yoga Philosophy
4.15 pm
Yoga Lab, Therapeutics or Methodology
7.15 pm
Dinner
8 pm
Evening activity; meditation, circle, movie or reflection. (3 times per week)
*first day starts with dinner and last day ends after breakfast.
Tuition + Accommodation
$1750 (Course Tuition)
7-day PYTT + Doula training including all classes, workshops, and training manual.
+
$825-2000 (Accommodation*)
EARLYBIRD PRICING:
1st Tier: Register by November 15 to receive $200 off with the code: PURAVIDA
2nd Tier: Register by December 1 to receive $100 off with the code: PLAYA
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Register Below!!
Inclusivity Scholarship opportunities are available for this training! Click here to see if you’re eligible to apply.
Accommodation
Join us in Costa Rica
What you'll love about Playa Azul
Nestled on an untouched Pacific coastline, where pink horizons merge with lush tide pools and the sand glistens in deep blue hues, lies a vibrant jungle kissed by ocean breezes and adorned with butterfly sanctuaries. Here, nature’s pristine beauty unfolds.
Playa Azul, one of the world’s seven blue zones, provides an idyllic, personalized space for your training experience. You can relish the inviting infinity pool, unwind on beach-side daybeds, or take a few steps to reach the nearby beach.
Room & Board Options (includes all meals)
- Shared Triple Garden Room - Full Bed Sleeper Sofa: $825
- Shared Triple Ocean View - Full Bed Sleeper Sofa: $875
- Shared Triple Garden Room - Queen Bed: $1100
- Shared Triple Ocean Room - Queen Bed: $1150
- Private Deluxe Garden Room: $2000
Frequently asked questions
The prerequisites for the online yoga teacher trainings is only that you must be passionate and inspired to create a community of likeminded women who want to help support and guide other mothers safely through the practice of yoga. We only ask that you are dedicated and feel compelled to answer this very sacred call.
It is helpful to have prior teaching experience but isnt necessary. Much of the course and the postures are referred to in sanskrit and english terminology. It’s certainly recommended to have a previous practice of the asana or postures as the course content will flow with more ease and understanding and be able to assimilate the information more quickly.
Upon successful completion, you are eligible to register with the yoga alliance as a registered yoga teacher (ryt), and will be certified to teach yoga internationally. Once you’ve met all the requirements of the 85 hr prenatal yoga teacher training you’ll receive the designation of rpyt (registered prenatal yoga teacher) with eligibility to register with yoga alliance.
As an internationally recognized and certified school, the certificate will state you have completed the yoga teacher training program under the guidance of julia forest.
Yes, we offer the Sacred Birth Prenatal and Postnatal Yoga Teacher Training as a stand alone in a live virtual and also self-paced program. The yoga and conscious birthing curriculum is the same in both programs. We also offer our 20 HR Postnatal Yoga Teacher Training separately as a self-paced or live virtual course.
Once you complete your 200 hour ytt you can retroactively register with the yoga alliance. It will still count!
We run different iteneraries for this course. Please check our schedule for more details.
Yes 🙂 our course counts for continuing education with the yoga alliance and also you can upgrade your yoga alliance membership to registered prenatal yoga teacher (rpyt)
Questions about traveling to Costa Rica
If you are interested in arriving earlier, you are welcome to book a night at the retreat center. Inquire at info@awakenedspirityoga.com.
Please download the welcome packet on this page to receive all the details about the course including shuttle options.
Full participation is required to complete the program and to receive your yoga alliance certification. Three hours of missed classes with a valid reason will be excused without makeup. Any additional hours missed will require communication with a facilitator and an action plan as to how hours can be completed. Additional costs may incur if one-on-one facilitator time is required to make up hours.
