The Art of Mothering

Gingi’s pregnancy dance class was awesome. Highly recommend it. I wish it was every week. I got some much needed booty shaken and it boosted my confidence going into birthing. Two thumbs up to Gingi.

A friend recommended Gingi when I began looking for a doula during my 2^nd pregnancy. My 1^st pregnancy ended in a C-​section and I was determined to try for a natural VBACS this time around. During our initial meeting, my husband and I found Gingi to be a warm, open and positive influence. We discussed my concerns and hopes for this birth. After the meeting, we both felt relieved to have Gingi at our side. During my pregnancy Gingi provided guidance and re-​assurance. We never felt pressured by her own agenda or ideas about birth. Instead, she brought up items to think about and gave us information & resources to prepare for the birth. With her help I drafted a focused birth plan that truly reflected the experience I wanted to have. Although my labor was long, I was able to do most of it in the comfort of my home with Gingi supporting my husband and I during the final hours before going to the hospital. At the hospital, Gingi interfaced with hospital staff, making sure they were clear on my birth plan, and helped me with positioning, massage and breathing. At all times she was a calming and supportive presence. In the end, I successfully delivered our daughter naturally without interventions and could not have been happier with the experience. Thank you Gingi!

I’m NOT a dancer — even when I’m not pregnant, I’ll almost always pass on a night at a dance club or taking a Zumba class. That said, taking Gingi’s prenatal dance and movement class is the most fun I’ve had working out during my pregnancy. Gingi usually does some guided meditation and a little check-​in, where she highlights useful ways to incorporate movement in labor and also shares her great knowledge of prenatal and post partum care. But most of the class is devoted to shaking your pregnant booty, focusing especially on mobilizing the pelvic region and helping to open it up for labor. I loved how the tone of these classes was joyous and celebratory — never judgmental or perfectionist. I felt energized and happy to bring that energy to my baby at the end of each class. I just wish I had found it sooner!

I was thrilled to have met Gingi at her Pregnancy and Movement class when I was about 26 weeks pregnant with my first. I loved the class and the philosophy Gingi has about the intuitive power of womans’ bodies, and I actually hired her as my doula as well. It was great being able to get to know her even better throughout my pregnancy as I took her class weekly.
The class was energizing, and motivating, and left me feeling renewed after each session. I truly believe that the movements we did in the class certainly helped to prepare my body for a smooth natural labor and birth. Gingi’s focus on pelvic and hip movements really helps to position the baby optimally for birth. By 39 weeks, my baby’s head was sitting super low, which made for a quick descent in labor (just 6 hours total!). The music Gingi plays is eclectic, and fun, and her sense of rhythm is that of a born dancer. I looked forward to the class each week, and loved how intimate it was (usually about 6 people). By the later part of my pregnancy, her class was the only way I could work up a sweat!
Gingi is not just a great dance teacher, but also an amazing doula. She is a great listener, supporter, and is full of wisdom. We met at least 3 – 4 times before my delivery, and I’ve seen her at least a few times since the birth as well. She is thorough, caring, and non-​judgemental. She supported me in all aspects of my pregnancy, and was able to give excellent referrals to other practitioners when needed. She shared literature with me, and was an invaluable resource in the first few weeks at home when I struggled with breastfeeding. During labor, Gingi was right there by my side, reassuring me of my innate power, and encouraging me to use the various labor positions and pain coping strategies we’d practiced.
I highly recommend Gingi as both a dance teacher as well as top notch doula!

I took Gingi’s Pregnancy Movement & Labor Preparation class a little over two months ago and it was by far the most enjoyable thing I did during my pregnancy! I absolutely love this class. Not only did I have so much fun dancing & moving, I learned positions that helped open and relax my body for birthing. In fact, after every class I felt my baby descend lower. The day before my due date I went to class and I wasn’t surprised at all when later that night my water broke and I went into labor. I was so thankful to have the motion of her class carrying over into my labor. I know without a doubt this class helped my body and mind prepare for birthing and helped me while giving birth. I wholeheartedly recommend this class to any pregnant woman and you will love working with Gingi. She is an incredibly wise and intuitive woman as well as a great dancer and teacher.

I have been participating in Gingi’s dance classes as my labor gets closer, and its one of the most fun parts of my week. Gingi creates a really positive, fun, non-​judgemental and energetic space for pregnant moms to move, connect to themselves, eachother and the babies.
Gingi is also a doula/​assistant midwife for our birth… the birth hasn’t happened yet, but so far I also feel that she is very knowledgeable and encouraging in that area as well!

The Art of Mothering takes support services for women to a community building level. It shows us what honoring divine feminine looks like in practice.
I personally have benefited by the Art of Mothering through super-​supportive doula service of my 9 month old son, continued after– birth support, and space to gather with beautiful, gorgeous, powerful, human women where we share our stories and empowerment.