Sounds fanastic!!! Any chance of a website?
Kristin
>From: Susan Basser
>Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>To:
>Subject: [ozmidwifery] What an inspiration...
>Date: Wed, 10 Sep 2003 17:22:56 +1000
>
>Hi there
>
>My name is Sue Basser and I’ve been an avid reader of your discussions. Not
>only am I learning a lot, but I’m also inspired by your collective
>commitment to the empowerment of women, as the centre of the birth
>experience.
>
>I feel inspired to share my story and in fact the reason I am on this
>discussion group.
>
>I live in Byron Bay and although I have never had a child myself, I have
>been a support person to 6 friends ú 1 in the old Paddington Birth centre, 4
>homebirths and 1 home to hospital birth. I love being a support person in
>birth and I feel privileged to have experienced such sacred and joyous
>moments.
>
>My life’s work, I guess is broader. I have always been committed to the
>process of empowerment, as a youth worker, as a community facilitator, as an
>organisational development consultant, and as a counsellor and healer. More
>recently I have moved this life long commitment into the area of organising
>retreats ú an opportunity for an individual or a group to take time out to
>connect with self and purpose, and to renew….thus the name of my business,
>Byron Renewal. I believe that we all have the capacity to know what we need
>in our lives, to live to our highest. Sometimes, we don’t make the time or
>space to ‘remember’ that, so a retreat can provide that opportunity.
>
>Anyway, one day my dear friend, whose 2 births I supported, Jannine Barron
>(founder of Nature’s Child), asked me if I would work with her to create a
>retreat for pregnant women. I felt honored to join with her and especially
>honored to create a space for women to acknowledge and prepare for the
>potentially most empowering experience a woman will have ú giving birth.
>
>Drawing on the vast and extraordinary expertise in our North Coast region,
>we pulled together an amazing specialist team ú midwife, childbirth
>educator, pregnancy masseurs, ante natal yoga teacher, belly dance teacher,
>hypnobirth practitioner, healers, naturopath, preggie photograper, belly
>painter and caster, oceanic body worker…
>
>…And created a 4 day program of nurturing, pampering, relaxation,
>inspiration, celebration and empowerment ~ The Byron Pregnancy Retreat.
>
>Then in August, we ran our first retreat. Six women came from Sydney (4),
>Sunshine Coast (1) and local (1). And I have to say, it was the best thing
>I’ve ever been a part of. Pregnant women are amazing. The depth that the
>women were prepared to go, in connecting with their baby and with themselves
>was amazing. It was a profound experience for me, and I spent most of my
>time making cups of tea!
>
>Some of the things women said afterwards were:
>
> > “The retreat has left me with a sense of profound liberation with my pregnancy
> > and given me the strength to do everything I can to ensure a sacred and
> > fulfilling experience for me and my baby. Thank You.”
> >
> > “ I came here, quite terrified of my birth and I leave feeling fearless and
> > empowered”
> >
> > “I feel like I’ve re found the real me at this retreat’
>
>I was surprised at the level of transformation that took place. One woman
>said, that had she been told that the retreat was going to do that, she
>would have thought she didn’t need it. Then at the celebration circle on the
>last day, this same woman was in tears as she shared how much she’d changed
>within herself.
>
>More than anything these women realised that the birth experience is theirs
>(and their babies of course)….and that it belongs to no one else. They
>acknowledged that although they had been told so many horror stories by
>family and friends, they could choose to start with the premise that an
>easy, natural birth is available and is their right. And although anything
>can happen during the birth, the more informed they are of their choices and
>the stronger and clearer they are on the inside, the more empowered they
>will be. Wow. It really was beautiful.
>
>The first Byron Pregnancy Retreat was such a success, that we have decided
>to go ahead and run more. We have the next one planned for October 9 ú 12
>and then we have 5 more planned for next year. We want to do some couples
>retreats as well.
>
>I’m telling you all this, because I want to share what seems to be a magical
>experience for women who are called to it! And it feels what we are trying
>to do through the retreat is so inline with what you are all doing out
>there.
>
>If you know someone who might be interested, just call Jannine on 1300 555
>632 and we will send out more information.
>Or email us at [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
>Thanks for reading and thanks again for your inspiration.
>
>Love
>
>Sue Basser
Chat via SMS. Simply send 'CHAT' to 1889918. More info here. <http://g.msn.com/8HMSENAU/2734??PS=> -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit to subscribe or unsubscribe.
Thanks Kristin.
You can visit our website via Nature's Child. http://www.natureschild.com.au
Simply click on the belly icon on the front page
Sue Basser
