Teachers

Teacher Profiles

Marina Locke, (IYTA, RYT(500),RMT, Doula, Childbirth Educator

While in her teens, Marina began an exploration of healing, massage, martial arts, yoga and eastern traditions which continues to take her around the world. She has trained in exercise physiology for pregnancy, as a midwifery assistant, emergency medical technician, doula, childbirth educator, infant massage instructor as well as international Hatha and Raja yoga teacher training. In 1998 she started teaching yoga. Her teaching skills and practice have taken her to coast to coast in Canada, Holland, Germany, and New Zealand. Currently she is studying Craniosacral with Phillip Cottingham in New Zealand.

Marina facilitates professional courses for the massage, care and support of women during pregnancy, in birth (doula training), post partum and with infant massage. She has been teaching since 1995. She has studied birth with Ina May Gaskin on The Farm, Gloria Lemay, and Dr. Bernadette de Gasquet. She has studied yoga with Kathy Nash, Esther Myers, Liam Perdue, Bryan Kest, and many others. She continues to study the Yoga of Synthesis internationally as well as perinatal related trainings.

Marina Locke is a Registered Massage Therapist (2200hrs), Internationally Certified Yoga Teacher & Doula. She is a Member of International Yoga Teachers Association, Yoga Association of Alberta, South Okanagan Yoga Association, Massage Therapists Association of Alberta, Natural Health Practitioners of Canada, Alberta Registered Massage Therapists Society.

Maryanne Zuzak, BSPE, Traditional Birth Attendant, Doula, Childbirth Educator

Maryanne holds a BSPE (Bachelor of Science in Physical Education) from the University of Saskatchewan. She is a certified childbirth educator through the Association of Labour Assistants and Childbirth Educators (ALACE). She has undertaken self-directed study in the area of childbirth and midwifery for the past three years. A certified graduate of Wise Woman Way of Birth: Intensive Skills (October, 2000) and Wise Woman Way of Birth: Doula course (June, 2001) and Mother and Baby Wellness (2003). She has volunteered extensively in the area of breastfeeding with La Leche League as well as having given birth to four babies. Maryanne once operated the successful Doula service Birthwise. Currently she operates the online bookstore Maternal Source specializing in maternity products, books, and professional training supplies. http://www.maternalsource.com/ Maryanne remains involved in supporting midwifery care in Saskatchewan.

Lisa Wass, B. Ed., CLD, CBE, CLDT ; owner of "Birth Rhythms"

Lisa offers a full range of doula services, prenatal fitness classes, childbirth education, labour support skills workshops for couples, and is a certified doula trainer, (CAPPA and Mother and Baby Wellness, 2005) Previously, she completed a Bachelor of Education and has taught in the public education system both as a classroom teacher and as a sexual awareness and childbirth educator. Now, she is a counselor for women, specializing in mental health, prenatal and birth support. A provincial shortage of practicing doulas, coupled with her love of teaching and mentoring led her to take up the challenge of training new doulas in 2008. Her experience also includes teaching dance, which is eagerly incorporated into the Birth Rhythm prenatal movement classes. Lisa is a mother to four children.

I believe that birth is a sacred time to be cherished and protected. It is a privilege to serve new families and to be a part of transmitting this love of birth to the next generation of parents and support providers.

http://www.birthwise.ca/

Patricia Blomme, Perinatal Nurse, Childbirth Educator

Patricia has professionally practiced as a nurse since 1988. She completed her post diploma nurses training in 1999, and is certified as a perinatal nurse. Patricia has worked as a childbirth advocate, doula and educator for several years. As well, she promotes breastfeeding in her community as a peer counselor. She is an independant contributor to Birthing Magazine and hosts her own website (Heads Up! All About Breech Babies). In October 2000 she hosted the Wise Woman Way of Birth Works shop. Patricia has birthed and is a mother to 5 children. Her favorite saying is: "Being informed is one thing, understanding that information is completely another".

Margaret Carroll, RMT, RST

Margaret is a Registered Massage Therapist with 14 years of experience in clinic and spa settings. Her enhanced skills include Cranial Sacral Therapy, Myofascial Release, Pregnancy Massage, Shiatsu Therapy, Reflexology, Hot Stone Massage, Indian Head Massage, Reiki, Chakra Balancing and Nutrition. She has taught courses and workshops relating to natural healing and Yoga meditation. Professional affiliation is with the Natural Holistic Practitioners of Canada. Margaret practices yoga and has been meditating for 14 years and is affiliated with Foundation for Higher Learning.

Joanne Keiran, International Yoga Teacher, Doula, Infant Massage Instructor, Nanny & Grandmother

A former student of art and occupational therapist, Joanne has a keen interest in anatomy and movement. A practitioner of Yoga for more than 30 years and a teacher for 14+ years, she began to work with pregnant woman in 2000 after taking the Mother and Baby Wellness trainings and was further inspired by Dr. Bernadette de Gasket (of France) on her approach to perinatal exercises. Joanne has since trained with numerous international yoga teachers. Her life experience as a Grandmother and caregiver to infants has made her a real treasure in the postnatal yoga training. She too is a student of the Synthesis of Yoga and senior teacher for the Foundation of Higher Learning. In teaching, she is able to make each student feel that their contribution is valued and important. She continues to study and teach in Canada and overseas.