I am buzzing again tonight with all the information that was given during training today. We spent the majority of the day soaking up as much of Jennifer’s vast wealth of information on hypnosis as possible. She walked us through the process of testing clients for their primary way of processing: kinesthetic, visual or auditory. I was riveted the whole time with all the information as we went through each exercise, and it was so immensely valuable for me to be taken through the process of discovering my own primary sense (and now I know that I can chalk that up to the fact that I am highly kinesthetic, and so I learn best by doing…).

And even better, I then came home and tried some hypnosis out on a friend, thinking that Jennifer had made it look easy, so why not? Well, I got an opportunity to learn that this is going to take a lot of practice! The words came easy, but that amazing soothing voice and unwavering confidence I quickly discovered does not just happen right away.

Nevertheless, each new step is teaching me to consider both my potential clients and myself in a whole new light. I can see how much learning to be a doula is about becoming not just well versed, but fluent in the language of the body. A language that, oddly enough, not many people take the time to translate and understand. It is reading someone elses body as much as it is being in touch with your own, and these are skills that are not just important in a doula practice, but in all areas of life – parenting, co-workers, and being in relationship. I feel like while I am learning tools for a specific path, I am simultaneously being blessed with new tools for life.

I am writing this the morning after and feel like things have settled a bit since class.  I am so glad to have seen what I have seen. This has all been very stunning and need time to process. I think if I had given birth this all would not have been so.  I am glad to have to Doula tea and last day extended.  I think this will allow for active integration of the massive amounts of knowledge(emotional, experiential, etc.. )  So loved the active role playing and putting to use the skills when have been discussing.  I really know that one must combine practice with discussion and reading.   My friend listened to me while I told her about class and that was helpful to integrate.   So great to have marketing section and and access to someone for advice. I am continuing on. I hope to be able to be a warm confident happy supportive doula. Thank you classmates and teachers. Thank you.

Ok I feel much better after getting to practice the techniques we have been learning.  Having a real pregnant woman come in and actually do the interview process even for a part of it, was so helpful.  Making it real.  I got to see how they the client perceives and that this is their birth. I am coming to appreciate more and more the difference of my classmates and enjoying being able to work with all of them.  I feel relieved to know that I can be flexible and supportive.  I am excited for the next class.

The first full length day and its about hypnosis.   Love it!  So fascinating to see how people react to different stimuli.  Listening to people and seeing if i can hear who they are and discern   what works for them.   Experience the Ice cube!  I am learning about myself and how I process as well as others way of interpreting pain and redirection.. Emphasis on being the doula that empowers the choice of the client and not her own agenda.  Knowing that there will be time to be quite and time to be active.  Perceptions of women and birth, still born, and signs of women who had sexual abuse and how that can affect the labor, how do we handle that???!!  I can only sum up today with words of awe and oh my goodness holy moly golly gee willickers and other words … Going to reread again.

Ok I am so glad to be expanding my knowledge about the birth process!  I may never have my own children and l am learning things I never thought I would ever have access to. The stages of labor (talking about it with women who have had their own and not) the positioning of the baby and the names of those positions and what they mean and choices women actually have and interventions and the impact that has ( possible cascade effects..).  I even have a mock client and I what do i really know!  Apgar score, Medical pain relief, Vaginal exams ( everybody seems to have  fingers in the birthing mother!), assisted birth procedures, labor inductions, Cesarean sections…..

I am so glad to know some options and hospital procedures and how to say things in an empowering respectful way. Goddess! I have got to reread!

It’s as if my entire life’s journey has been in preparation for this chapter on my path. Tonight was the first day of Dolphin Method Doula Training. It was only two days ago that I finished Dolphin Method Prenatal Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Training with Jennifer Wolfe, which was incredible. I hung onto every word she said, she spoke with such clarity and wove in all kinds of incredible birthing stories. When I arrived home each day after the training I would excitedly regurgitate all that I had learned. I was hooked on the Dolphin Method and was thrilled to sign up for the Doula Training. Tonight I met a group of fantastic women from all walks of life. We were each given a “Client” profile, we will research our clients and report back to the group. We are now “on call” and will receive a phone call from Jennifer or Tracy of Dolphin acting as our client at anytime over the next week…Most likely in the middle of the night. This is a brilliant way for us to explore what it will actually be like as a Doula.

I am fascinated by our unique nature as humans, and I have for many years been drawn to supporting the environmental health of our mother earth, as well as people during the periods where life, is potentially drawing to an end. Now I enter the next chapter, being a Doula and participating in the miracle of when life begins~

I began to think about who I am, here in this precise moment and how that beautifully translates into how I can honor and support women in giving life, and how that connects to my mission to support the balanced health of our community.

I drove home into the sparkling sea of city lights inspired by the evenings events, knowing that my traits and all of the choices I have made have led me here. For that I am grateful.

In Peace

Talei Loloma

I was very excited to be attending and not at all sure what to expect.  The class consists of 4 students, two main instructors, and visiting doulas and a marketing fela (who will be posting this)  (thank you).  The instructors and the visiting Doula all seem to have this brightness to them when they talk about their experiences as a doula.  They seem happy to be teaching and empowering women.  Its been a long time for me personally to be around women who empower each other.  Most of the last ten years I have been surrounded by people in competition and employers who say the respect employees and rarely do.  Its kind of like reaching an oasis after walking in the desert.  I hope that its for real.  I hope because I feel like I am supposed to be here and cannot put the reason into concrete words yet. How cool is that!  So much info to process.  I saw my first stuffed placenta and vivid discussion about blood, bleeding and cramping and I think I have bad menstrual cramps!  I did get a little queasy.  More tomorrow.