DOME Yoga Hawea — Local services in South Island

My partner and I just attended the Empowered birth class over the weekend. I highly recommend this for anyone that will be giving birth soon but particularly endorse this from a couples perspective as we both left feeling so much more confident. I'm 33 weeks and we had briefly spoken prior about how best he could be a part of the birth and support me. He had done some research prior but didn't feel confident that he could have an impact on my birthing experience. As a loving partner he had imagined that he would feel useless and that's very unlike him. Now, having had Kate's support, he has tools to be hands on, he is aware of how much his words of encouragement can create the safe space we need during and he knows his role in gatekeeping my birthing preferences.

We entered the space and met Kate, our amazing coach who made us feel at home and offered us refreshments! We met another couple at a similar stage and we all chatted about the stage we are at and aches/pains Kate needed to be aware of. I've done Yoga classes with Kate before, and my partner hasn't so his biggest concern was whether he would feel comfortable during the session or if the provider would be "too spiritual" or force ideas. Immediately those fears were put at ease! Kate explained her extensive background with birth practices and holistic approaches in a down to earth and relatable way.

We both left feeling more confident in each other, and the birthing process. Kate answered every question we came with, validated worries we had but gave us the tools we needed to come into birth with self confidence! We had demonstrations of labouring positions and how my partner could help relax me between contractions.

I have pelvic pain and Kate had some fantastic suggestions of how to reduce them or support my belly. She showed us her "go bag" that she takes to births as a doula which gave us great ideas for packing our own. There was a great wealth of information shared about stages of labour and things you can expect as well.

This was a beautiful bonding experience as a couple, and I got some great massages/jiggles throughout the session which were a massive bonus!

Kate also provides wonderful supportive pregnancy yoga classes, private empowered birth sessions, body work, closing of the bones postpartum ceremonies and is a doula, attending many births surrounding the Wanaka area. She has a fantastic presence and I will be recommending her to everyone I meet 😁

Thank...

Over winter I attended 16 weeks of meditation with Kate at DOME the course actually only ran for 8 weeks, but I loved it so much I signed up for the following 8 week course. Kate has a kind, nurturing but firm way which helped me improve on my meditation skills, Kate assisted me in developing skills to integrate mindful practices into my everyday life- when i was off the cushion. Kate helped me identify negative or unuseful thought patterns and gave me personalised tools to overcome these, This has been extremely beneficial for me. Then with a gentle nudge she kicked off her cushion!

So i had to find another class on the schedule to attend, I attended one of Kate's vinyasa classes, this was a lovely gentle way of mindfully moving my body, many of the meditation tools I learned with Kate previously were cleverly interweaved in throughout her class. Kates voice calmly guided me through a series of poses and flows- many of the flows I had not done before, (i've been to a fair amount of yoga sessions) in the background I listened to Tui and Bell bird singing! I left with a new feeling of peace, calm and harmony in my body and mind. I think the drive out to Kate's DOME for her sessions is more than worth it! but make sure you book! I have a feeling her classes are going to be booked out...

Kate, Joel and I could not have hoped for a more passionate, knowledgeable kind and wonderful woman to support us through our second pregnancy!

The support we received from you was honestly amazing, right from the word go and now even 6 weeks postpartum, you have always been consistent. I felt you went the extra mile for me, taking the time to look into and discuss certain pregnancy topics that came up along the way. I also really enjoyed your yoga sequence, it suited all stages of pregnancy and was really nice and gentle.

During labour you read the room, were always there to squeeze my hips or apply back pressure before I even needed to ask. You were very supportive of Joel, giving him that extra confidence and drive to welcome baby… and get the pots on!! Ha

I hoped the second time around labour would be more calm, and I’d find a good head space and you truely helped me to achieve that. I felt very at peace knowing my body can birth, and empowered by each wave knowing that baby was closer. You were an amazing birth partner really.

It was very special to have you as part of our home birth of wee Annabelle and I am so grateful to of met you. Until the next home birth or visit to Wānaka!

Lots of...