If you’ve ever been curious about the ins and outs of working with a holistic doula, this one’s for you! Today, we’ll hear from Jena Ashwill, a holistic doula and yoga instructor in Cleveland, Ohio. Read on to learn more about Jena and her work as a holistic doula!
Tell me a little about yourself and your background.
I’m a Scorpio sun/Libra rising/Cancer moon, a generator in Human Design, and Enneagram 7. I’m a Cleveland native, but most of my 20s were spent living in Florida and California. Traveling, adventuring, learning, and experiencing are some of my favorite things!
I have worn many hats in my lifetime! I have a graphic design background, a BA in Environmental Studies, and I spent many years in the service industry. When I started to do yoga, it changed my life, and I have been practicing for about 14 years now. I’m an unschooling mom to an awesome 5-year-old. I’m passionate about co-creating a more sustainable and just world where everyone thrives. I try to work every day toward the liberation for all.
You can usually find me hanging out with my daughter, cooking/eating vegan food, doing arts or crafts, spending time outside, dancing, and hanging out with friends. Or some combination of all of the above!
How long have you been a holistic doula, and what called you to this work?
I took birth doula training in October 2021, but I had been thinking about it for years before. My daughter was born in 2018, I had a home birth and it was a life-changing experience to say the least. I really can’t put into words how I feel like birth changed my DNA and whole being. Giving birth at home, undisturbed was a next-level human and spiritual experience that I highly recommend; I became fascinated with all things birth and birth stories. I was going to a lot of groups and was hearing a lot of negative birth stories, and I was like “Wow, something needs to change here.” I loved the experience that I had and I wanted to be a part of making sure that everyone could have a beautiful, supported pregnancy, birth, and postpartum experience.
What’s your favorite thing about being a holistic doula?
That’s a really hard question because there are so many things I love. It’s hard to choose! I would say probably getting to witness the look of pure joy and the feeling after birth when you realize you are so innately powerful and can do anything.
What kind of support do you offer to your clients throughout their pregnancy, birth, and postpartum journey?
I offer physical, emotional, informational, and advocacy support throughout the whole journey. As a holistic doula, I believe pregnancy can be a sacred time to connect with our intuition, the earth (which we are part of), and our whole selves—body, mind, emotions, and spirit. I provide yoga practices, resources, and personalized tools to facilitate these connections and instill confidence and knowledge throughout the perinatal year. Our bodies know how to give birth, and as a supportive guide, I will encourage you to tap into your inner source of power. I will hold space for you and be present for your experience without judgment, even if your wishes change along the way. Working with me is a highly personalized experience.
You’re also a yoga instructor. How does your experience with yoga and meditation play a role in your work as a holistic doula?
I love to incorporate yoga to whatever degree someone is comfortable with, meeting people where they are. I offer a one-on-one yoga session catered to your needs. Often clients end up adding weekly or bi-weekly sessions and find it to be hugely beneficial. I have found that when yoga is incorporated weekly, it really helps to contribute to a smooth birth! I think it’s important to reiterate that yoga is not just physical. We also work on mindset with a variety of different tools and incorporate spiritual practices if you want that. It’s a holistic practice that works on the mind, body, emotions, spirit, and self as part of the community and earth.
What is your best piece of advice for someone preparing for labor and birth?
Cultivate trust in yourself and that you know what is best for you and your baby. Practice standing in your power, saying no, asking for help, and visualizing what you desire. Gather information. But mostly, tap into your intuition. Map out your support circles for birth and postpartum.
What pregnancy or birth-related resources do you always recommend to your clients?
For books, I always recommend Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin, Babies are Not Pizzas: They’re Born, Not Delivered by Rebecca Dekker, Birthing from Within, and The Birth Partner. I also recommend BadassMotherBirther on Instagram. I haven’t taken her class, but I love everything she puts out and always encourage clients to look into her classes.
Where can people get in touch with you/learn more about your holistic doula and yoga offerings?
You can check out my website which has all my contact info at jenaashwill.com. You can message me on Instagram at @jenaashwill_doula, which is the best place to learn about my most updated yoga offerings and events. I’d love to connect!
Anything else you’d like to share?
You can and do deserve to have any birth experience you want. You are a strong and powerful being. Tap into the support of encouraging and supportive people, and tune out the noise.
I hope you enjoyed reading and learning more about Jena and her work as a holistic doula in Cleveland! Click here to connect with Cleveland holistic doula Jena Ashwill.
Hey there and thank you for stopping by! I’m Mackenzie, owner of Mackenzie Romagni Photography, a birth, newborn, and family photographer serving growing families in Cleveland and Northeast Ohio. I hope you found this “Meet Jena Ashwill | Holistic Doula in Cleveland” blog post helpful.
Are you expecting a new baby and hoping to hire a birth photographer for your hospital, birth center, or home birth? Contact me here to connect! Not quite ready yet? No problem! Follow me on Instagram or join my email list here to stay in the know.
+ Comments