YOGA
AYURVEDIC POSTPARTUM DOULA
ABOUT
My name is Silje and I am a yoga teacher, ayurvedic postpartum doula and a social anthropologist. I am Norwegian and based in Oslo with my husband and two little boys.
I have created a business of the two things I am most passionate about – yoga and postpartum care.
I discovered yoga in 2014, when I attended an arm balance and handstand workshop. I fell in love with a strong and playful vinyasa practice, and went to classes almost every day of the week. What I enjoyed the most about these classes was that the focus was about believing in yourself and doing the best you can, rather than focusing on doing everything perfectly, and how that can be transmitted to life outside the yoga mat as well
After giving birth to my eldest son in 2018, I felt overwhelmed by the transition into motherhood. I had spent a lot of time preparing for birth during pregnancy, but I was not prepared for what came afterwards – the new life as a mother. I was surprised by all the changes that happened in my body, mind and life in general on my journey into motherhood. Since having my first child, I have dedicated a lot of time to learn more about postpartum support, and how to best prepare for life as a new mother. My passion is to support women in the transition into motherhood.
YOGA
I teach vinyasa, yin, prenatal and postnatal yoga. I have 5 years of experience as a yoga teacher, and I love how yoga challenges me physically and mentally on and off the mat. In my vinyasa classes you can expect a strengthening flow and creative transitions with a playful approach. In my pre- and postnatal yoga classes you can expect safe movement, breathing techniques and mental tools to support your journey into motherhood. My goal is to teach yoga as a tool on and off the mat, and that the participants feel physically and mentally strengthened after class. Yoga is for everybody. What I love the most about yoga is that the practice can be adapted to your current life situation, and that is also reflected in my teaching.
AYURVEDA
Ayurveda is a Sanskrit word that can be traduced to the “knowledge of life.” It is a health and longevity system dating back to 5000 years ago in India. Ayurvedic healing looks at the whole person – the body, the mind and the spirit. According to Ayurveda, the four pillars of rebuilding the mother through mind, body and spirit after birth are:
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Healing foods and herbs
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Breathwork and meditation
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Daily selfcare
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Rest
AYURVEDIC
POSTPARTUM DOULA
Traditionally the role of a postpartum doula was held by the mother’s community. The community showed up to care for the mother, provide her with nutritious food and help her and her family out with household chores, so she could take care of the baby. Ancient postpartum traditions from around the world all have the following topics in common: rest, warmth, specific foods and bodywork for an extended period following birth. As our modern society is built, the mother does not necessarily have this kind of support from her community, as friends often have busy lives and family members may live far away. Giving birth to a new baby is one of the biggest transitions a woman goes through in her life. Often, she needs more support than she receives from the health care system and friends and family. A postpartum doula mothers the mother and let the mother care for the baby and heal from birth. The care a postpartum doula offers has a positive impact on the well-being of the whole family.
As an Ayurvedic postpartum doula I help the new mother and her family by providing physical, emotional and informational support the first 42 days following childbirth. According to Ayurveda, the way a new mother spends the first 42 days after birth affects her health for the next 42 years.
With postpartum doula support you will receive nutritious food recipes with ingredients that will nourish your body and support recovery after birth. You will learn different selfcare tools, as how to do a warm oil self-massage, meditation and breathing exercises that will help you through the transition into motherhood. I offer emotional support and a safe space for the new mother to talk about any challenges she might face in her postpartum period. During a home visit, I can help with light household chores, easy baby care, normal breastfeeding support and watch the baby so the mother can take a shower or a nap. I also provide all my clients with a list of postpartum specialists in the Oslo area.
