About

The Conscious Birthing worshop was more like a retreat than a class. Not only was I empowered by the birthing knowledge of the instructors and the tool kit of pain management techniques and labor positions that they taught, but I was reawakened to what it means to me to give live. My husband and I bonded in a unique way that is usually not possible in just four hours. The workshop is a rare opportunity for any woman and her birthing partner to center themselves on the adventurous and amazing journey of parenthood that is about to unfold.

- Ann Rasmussen

I wanted to let you know just how much I enjoyed the pre-natal, conscious birthing, and post natal yoga classes. They were all very helpful in preparing for and recovering from Colin's birth! I am miss going to them and your teaching!

— Catherine James

This [Concious Birthing] workshop was extremely beneficial allowing us time to connect with our partner, practice a variety of techniques and positions for laboring, and to learn and practice comfort measures. We've taken several prenatal classes/workshops in the past few years, but I feel this one was the most practical and beneficial. Thank you!

— Margaret Griffon

The [Concious Birthing] workshop was a most helpful way of preparing for birth with my partner. Spending time to try out such a variety of positions helps far more than just reading books on the same topic. We feel we have more of a vocabulary for what to do and how to communicate during labor.

— Erin Butterworth

Great and helpful course!

— Albert Bugg

I plan to have medication in part of my labor experience. Before the Conscious Birthing workshop I had hoped to get that medication as soon as possible. Now that I have been through the workshop, I feel more educated and more confident that I can wait longer before receiving medication and more confident overall that I will be able to handle whatever comes my way during labor. This is a huge relief to me - a complete pain "scared-y cat"!

— Adrianne Bugg

The workshop was a wonderful experience for my husband and myself. It was a safe and peaceful environment in which to learn and I feel so much more prepared and less apprehensive about labor and delivery. Also, the class really emphasized teamwork and I feel that my husband and I are connected in a closer way about the birthing process and how to work with one another. Leslie did a great job of presenting a realistic, but positive and doable picture of the labor process. It really helped! Leslie is a wonderful teacher and the entire experience was meaningful and very helpful. I highly recommend this workshop to all expecting parents.

— Jennifer Baker

It was a practical way to spend time together bonding and preparing for the birth of our second child. We thoroughly enjoyed the workshop.

— Beth & David Gray

I would highly recommend this workshop. Leslie gives valuable and helpful information in a relaxing, supportive, and comforting environment. We feel better prepared for labor and childbirth with the tools and techniques we learned during this workshop.

— Katherine Smothers

I loved my pre-natal yoga classes. They helped me feel more physically healthy while I was pregnant than I have felt for much of the rest of my life. More than that, however, they also introduced me to women and ideas that profoundly influenced the birth of my daughter and the way I parent her today. So many positive things have flowed from Leslie's willingness to teach and allow others to share their stories, worries, and wisdom.

— Alexandra Duckworth

My prenatal yoga classes were hands-down some of the most helpful tools during my pregnancy. It was tremendously helpful to meet other moms-to-be who also were going into this whole thing somewhat blindly, and the tips and techniques Leslie shared with us were amazingly useful. Thank you!

— Hilary Easom

I loved it, wish I could have kept going! I looked forward to Thursday every week. The friendships my children and I have made in the classes I took with my daughter (who is now two) and my son (six months) are priceless.

— Tara Childs

"Wonderful chance to just enjoy, explore with baby, and allow me to find time during the day to just play."

—Laura C.

I have told my friends to take this instead of the traditional medical prenatal classes. The relaxation was perfect at a stressful time!

— Stephanie Baumhover

Prenatal yoga and Baby and Me and Itsy Bitsy programs make a huge difference in the physical, mental and I think spiritual health of the mother and child, and in turn the whole family. . . Learning how to breathe and handle the contractions really helped me in that I was able to labor at home for about twelve hours before going to the hospital.

— Jenny Lawhorn Sammis

I was new to Richmond when I took my first round of classes with Leslie and baby #1 (now twenty one months). I'm now almost 5 mos. pregnant with #2 and will sign-up soon. I loved being around other pregnant women and embracing our natural state. I also met some great friends in my neighborhood through the classes, and we really have a wonderful foundation to our friendship through experiencing the class together.

— Leah Muhlenfeld

I loved it, Leslie was the greatest. She even helped me with my second pregnancy when I couldn't take prenatal yoga because it was not offered in the area where I moved to.

— Joanne Myers, MD

I made going to yoga a priority during my pregnancy and it was definitely worth it. It helped me relax for a while every week and hear from other moms-to-be. The stamina and breathing techniques I learned were very helpful during labor too. I would recommend it to every pregnant woman.

— Margaret Crowe

Although our son was breech and had to be born via c-section, focusing on my breathing really helped me to do my job in the operating room. When it came time for the anesthesiologist to administer the epidural, I warned the nurse who was holding my hand that I would be chanting my Yoga "OHMs" so that I could stay focused. When the anesthesiologist was ready to administer the epidural, he asked quizzically, "Is that her?" That makes me smile in retrospect because my yoga breathing kept me focused and in the moment instead of being in hysterics, upset or nervous.

— Annette Nelms

The concentration on breathing and understanding my body really helped when the pain kicked in.

— Carmen Marie Sinkfield

Wanted to say THANK YOU for the stretches and exercises and advice from last night. My back pain has been signficantly better-- I was able to take a nice long walk today for the first time this week without pain-- Icing it has helped and the stretches too-- I am still going to go to the Chiropractor next week, but I have had some very welcome relief!

— Catherine Illian