Natalie Anu: maternity wellness

01/12/2026

Now bringing the joy of movement to my community through Dance.

You know me as a yogi, but you might not also know that somatic embodiment dancing with my own private dance parties at home is something I use frequently.

This inspired me to take the Dancing For Birth™️ Professional training and to certify as a DFB™️ instructor.

I will be weaving this into my practice and support, but also I will be starting teaching group classes very soon.

Email me if you want to get on the waitlist for classes.

Let’s dance those babies down

01/04/2026

12/31/2025

I have finished off this year with a virus that has knocked me out for over a week.

So I don’t have yearly stats, I don’t even have much to say, other than a huge thank you to all the families who chose me to be their person this year. For the organisations who trust me to guide, teach, share and inspire. For my family both near and wide who continue to support and encourage me without question, even when it may inconvenience or encumber them.

This year I found better alignment. And in that I found more joy, peace and balance in work, life and play.

Here’s a gentle reminder that it is nobody else’s job to make you happy, and whilst I recognise there are systemic and logistical barriers to achieving our goals, your future, your choices and your intentions are within you and you alone.

Be the change you want to see in the world. Live the life you have. See the beauty in the small things and treat others the way you want to be cared for.

Peace - Love - Light

Natalie Anu
🩵

#2025

12/19/2025

New Year, new classes.

The website has just been updated + booking is now open for the first HypnoBirthing®️: the Mongan method course of 2026

self hypnosis is a proven method of birth preparation that combines deep relaxation, visualisation, education, breath work and other techniques to unlock your inner power.

If you are looking for a childbirth education course to keep you calm, connected and confident; then look no further.

Over five weeks, we will work on practising carefully crafted and curated techniques that serve you not only in pregnancy and birth but also into postpartum and beyond.

Comprehensive birth prep that covers all the essentials about labour and Beth, choosing your support team, how partners can help, all rounded off with a a class on breastfeeding and infant sleep.

Online classes are kept small to support your learning and help you find community.

if your baby is due in April, May or June, this is the perfect time to jump in and join this incredible course.

See you soon

💌
Natalie

Sundays, 6 pm to 9 pm MDT.
1st - 29th of March 2026
online via ZOOM


❤️

12/14/2025

PSA: it is not your job to make our job easier. It’s our job to keep everyone safe & healthy while respecting, listening & supporting

12/02/2025

It’s Giving Tuesday!

As a gift to you, I’m offering 5, yes FIVE lucky winners TWO free yoga classes.

As a busy mummy of three and heart scented business owner, I know only too well how hard it can feel to find the time to send to yourself - especially at this time of year. That’s way I’m giving away 2 pre-recorded classes for you to practice at home, at your leisure, as often as you can.

Each class is one hour long and focused for the specific energy needs of day.

These classes are not specific to pre-or postnatal and are suitable for beginners to advanced yogis looking to build strength, stability, mobility and balance both in body and mind.

How to enter:
💋Tag as many friends as you think could benefit from these classes.
💋Share this post to your stories.
💋Follow

Giveaway ends on Tuesday, the 9th of December at midnight (mountain time).

Good luck!

11/27/2025

When I first transitioned into the Doula world from Midwife free, I somehow felt like I needed all these things. Other doula had bags overflowing with twinkle lights, Honey sticks, massage balls… You name it, anything that you might need… So I did the same. It’s silly really, because as a midwife, I have my clinical equipment and myself: my presence, my energy and my wisdom, but that’s it!

Then, After a couple of times schlepping a big heavy bag into the birth room with me and realising I used about 0.1% of the stuff in it I stopped.

What do I bring?
– Food for myself
– a toothbrush, hair elastics, toothpaste And lip balm
– a spare pair of socks, leggings and T-shirt in case of body fluid spillages.
– My teeth Amos
– my water bottle
– aTENS machine, although my clients have normally had this since around 38 weeks so technically, I don’t bring it with me, I just take it home again).

I trust families to take the suggestions, advice and resource lists that I provide and to take responsibility for it. If they want twinkle lights, they can bring twinkle lights. They can bring their favourite lip balm, deodorant or essential oil.

I trust that they know what they need And that they will bring what they want. In 99 9% of the time that’s what happens. If they don’t bring it with them, it’s probably because it doesn’t matter that much to them; no matter how helpful I think it might be.

There are exceptions of course, for families who I know don’t have the financial means to purchase certain elements, in which case I might bring a couple of extras with me.

My back is a lot happier. My wallet is a lot happier. And it reminds me that I am enough, just as I am. I don’t need gadgets, gizmos and stuff to provide the sport my clients need.

me

11/27/2025

11/24/2025

My thoughts on this topic are not unique to the Free Birth society, but the release of this article has spearheaded a discussion.

Any belief system that becomes dogmatic is problematic. It shifts liberation to limitation and creates spoken or unspoken expectations that may ask people into silencing their internal value system.

In this example: my pregnancy isn’t wild enough if I have an ultrasound. I am not truly liberated and empowered if I seek support from wise women/Midwife/doctors. I am weak and infantilised if I choose to be accompanied in my birth.

Now let’s be clear, this is not a discussion whether I think free birth is the right choice or not. I fully support anyone and everyone to make their own choice about their own body. But I also question the ideology that everybody should obtain a midwifery level education of pregnancy, birth and postpartum in order to meet the ideology of a group who says that this is the right and proper way to do it. That’s not empowerment, that’s entrapment.

In my experience, very few people want to birth alone. Most want a companion. Be it their partner, friend, Doula or midwife/doctor. Most people also want to feel listened to, informed/educated, intuitive and in control. In a mainstream medical model, & to an extent to the emerging medicalised midwifery model does not support this. And this is what pushes people towards dogmatic ideologists who promised them everything without taking any responsibility.

there is not one right way to birth. There is not a better or worse way to do it. There is no hierarchy. There is the way that is right for you, in your unique situation; in your unique body; in your unique journey. nobody knows you better than you; and nobody should tell you how you should do it. You shouldn’t feel maligned or belittled for the choices you make. You should be supported; cared for; nourished and taken care of.

This is happening in birth. But this is not new. This happens in a religion, politics, healthcare and society at large.

Dogma is dangerous. Being free, to me, means being free to choose what feels right for you at any given stage; not: Being restrained by someone monetising their ideology.

11/14/2025

Connection is an absolutely essential part of an infant’s developing social brain. Studies have shown infants who have limited or no physical connection can develop socio emotional dysregulation issues, sensory processing issues and as they get older, seek touch and affection from inappropriate scenarios and situations. Massage is sometimes prescribed as therapeutic recovery treatment for childhood neglect survivors; so important is it believed to be for a well-integrated nervous system.bb. Conversely, infants who have received consistant nurturing touch, consistant connection & responsive parenting are more confident, intelligent & independent as they mature: ergo less clingy, less anxious, less emotionally fragile.

Our current society’s values prioritise productivity, over-scheduling, competition and disconnection in our parenting is, I believe, highly problematic. It glorifies “business” as a marker of successful parenting, whilst undervaluing the key basic needs of infants:
- love
- time/attention/prrsence
- safety/protraction

Globally, infants sleep on or with their parents for at least the first two years of life. There is often a family bedroom rather than separate Bedrooms. Activities take a family centred approach, rather than an individualistic approach. Parenting is a community responsibility, not solely on the shoulders of one or two designated adults. Infants are held or carried for most of the day and kept close at night.

The concern with modern society in North America and northern Europe is that separation, independence and disconnection is being pushed as the * right * way to parent. This flies in the face of the biological, developmental and emotional needs & maturation of our babies. Normal, physiological infancy is being pathologised because it doesn’t fit the social requirements.

Babies are wired for connection. They are wired for closeness. They are wired for consistent, respectful and responsive love and care.

This is nuanced, by personality, economic instability etc, but the basics are clear - loving, nurturing touch is a biological necessity, so feel confident that responding to your baby’s needs day + night boosts brains

11/04/2025

Hi Natalie! Here are some words and photos that please feel free to share on your website or wherever. Thank you so much for everything, you made my pregnancy, birth and postpartum experience so so much better than I could have thought 🥰💕

“We had the absolute best experience with our doula, Natalie. From the moment we hired her in my third trimester, she was kind, thoughtful, and incredibly knowledgeable. You can truly tell how much she loves her job, babies, and supporting families through pregnancy and birth.

When I went into labour at 2:30 a.m., Natalie was the very first person I reached out to—and she immediately began guiding me through the early stages with such calm reassurance. She arrived at the hospital right when we needed her most and helped me advocate for the birth experience I wanted. Her support through the pain of labour, before I had any pain relief options, was amazing—I honestly don’t know how I would have managed without her.

Even after our baby arrived, Natalie continued to be such a wonderful support. She offered so much helpful guidance around postpartum recovery, sleeping options, and breastfeeding—her knowledge and encouragement made such a difference in our transition to parenthood.

We are so grateful for Natalie and would recommend her to anyone looking for a doula. She is compassionate, attentive, and truly exceptional at what she does💕”

you can find your purse anywhere. I met this client at the garage sale!

❤️

11/04/2025

Sunday 21st Dec 2025
Village Prenatal - Equinox/Solstice gatherings

M is for Motherhood… and so much more.

Step into a nurturing space designed just for you in your third trimester — a time to slow down, connect, and prepare for one of life’s most powerful transitions.

M is for…

Mother – stepping into your new role

Maiden – gently releasing who you were

Meditation – grounding into presence

Mantra – awakening your inner strength

Movement – flowing with your body’s wisdom

Mapping – bonding deeply with your baby

Music – calming your nervous system

Musings – sharing stories and sacred sisterhood

Village Prenatal: A Mini Retreat for Mothers-to-Bee. A soul-led gathering of women, wisdom, and wellness to honour your Pregnancy as a sacred Rite of Passage.

This intimate retreat blends ceremony, embodiment, and connection —supporting you physically, emotionally, and spiritually as you prepare for birth and beyond.

Perfect for women in their third trimester & leave feeling grounded, empowered, and held

Spaces are limited to keep this experience personal and sacred 9 Reserve your place in the circle today.