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About me

Meriel

Hello, I'm Meriel. This is me in 2009, just a few days after the birth of my third child with two proud big brothers! The NCT has always been a part of my life as my mother was an NCT antenatal teacher for over 30 years, and I remember sitting in on her classes (and relaxing along with the mums-to-be) as a small child. My own involvement began when I attended antenatal classes while pregnant with my first child back in 2002. I considered training as an antenatal teacher then - but it wasn't until after the birth of our second child in 2004 that I took the plunge. I qualified in 2008 have been teaching - with short breaks to have babies three and four! - since then.

 

I trained as a Relax, Stretch and Breathe teacher with NCT in 2013 and started facilitating this lovely class in March 2014, in addition to my 'Signature' antenatal courses and waterbirth workshops. I love the classes - it's such a privilege to be involved with many women right through their pregnancy. The movements and postures are gentle enough for the un-bendiest beginner and yet deceptively powerful in helping women adjust to the physical and emotional changes of pregnancy. I used breathing techniques which we practice in the classes during all of my labours, and certainly with my third and fourth babies they were definitely my most potent and effective way of dealing with the intensity of the birth. See also the 'testimonials' page for some feedback on breathing from other class attendees!

 

I added Mother and Baby Yoga to my training during 2015 and starting facilitating the classes in May. They are equally lovely but so different - with the added unknown factor of what 6-8 babies will be doing at any given moment! Despite this we do manage to achieve lovely relaxations and even the odd downward dog.

 

I am also a Valley Cushion agent for our local NCT branch, a trained mentor for Birth Art Cafe and am just about to train to deliver a lovely postnatal massage called 'Closing the Bones'.

 

I look forward to meeting you and sharing a little bit of your journey towards being a mother, whether it's for the first time or second, third or fourth!

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