Cornerstone Doula Trainings

(57 reviews)

2.0 km

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND Loving Arms Childbirth Services' birthing class! Jessica Cristen was our…read moreinstructor, and she was excellent! She's a certified midwife and lactation support specialist, with years of experience. Taking this class was the best decision I made for preparing for the birth of our baby girl. (even with the countless books I read and classes taken from Kaiser) My birth did NOT go at all as expected, but thanks to these classes I was super well prepared about all the possibilities that could occur during labor & delivery and helped my partner and I be on the same page (and have my partner know how he could best support me). Thus when things started to go different than what we prepared for in our birthing plan, we were really able to navigate the various options skillfully and have educated conversations with our care team. This made me feel way more secure when my health was declining during delivery. Even though I didn't have the birth I pictured for myself, I felt I had a wonderful birth story thanks to the classes from Loving Arms and our care support team. The class is very comfortable, super educational, and a good place to meet other couples about to have babies too. The instructors here really care about helping new families, and have years of experience and maturity. Again, best decision to take this class here @ Loving Arms. So glad I chose them!

We are so grateful we found Loving Arms and were able to take their childbirth prep class. I didn't…read morewant to have a doula and these courses helped me feel so knowledgeable about what to expect during childbirth and allowed my husband to know how best to support me. The lactation support and honest expectations about what to expect in the first few days with a newborn were invaluable. I ended up not having time to get an epidural and without this class, I think I would have panicked giving birth. However, armed with the knowledge from the courses, I was able to get through it and have a positive experience. Another plus is that we were able to bond with the other couples in the class and are still in touch now 9 months after our babies were born. Highly suggest!

Learning labor support techniques

Our classroom

Loving Arms babies!!

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Brilliant Births

(82 reviews)

5.3 km

My partner and I recently completed the Hypnobirthing three week course at Brilliant Births. We had…read morean absolutely incredible experience, for many reasons--The information we learned was invaluable, but also the instructors' teaching styles and depth of personal experience they offered was appreciated, comforting, and helpful. They clearly have a deep well of wisdom and experience-based expertise to share. We started our class with Keira and absolutely loved her--originally we were a bit bummed to know we would have a different instructor for our last day of the course. However, it turned out that Heidi was equitably wonderful and all things lovely-- instead of only one great instructor and guide, we ended up with two...which leads me to believe you'll be in skilled hands with anyone you interact with at BB. We will definitely be returning to take advantage of their other offerings!

I reached out to Brilliant Births to find a birth doula. They offer a matching service and…read moreconnected me to 3 doulas who work independently (not employees of BB). We were really fortunate to find our birth doula (who we love!), but the other 2 candidates were not very impressive. The first doula missed our appointment with no follow-up communication. We were initially confused and thought she was the coordinator for BB, because she only communicated by text. The actual meeting was just by telephone so there was no face-to-face interaction, which felt strange. We could've easily FaceTimed or Zoomed. So communication and reliability were not great. The second doula abruptly canceled our half-hour appointment when we were 10 minutes late for a 30-minute appointment due to my husband wrapping up a Zoom meeting. During our appointment time, she was responding to my emails (in which I apologized for being late), but insisted she could no longer meet with us. I thought this was a really bad sign about what she would be like to work with - labor and delivery is rarely precisely timed and some flexibility is needed. In addition, her email said that she lives in Portola Valley, but we live Berkeley (also where Brilliant Births is located). This also struck me as strange, because it would take 1.5 hours for her to arrive to meet us at the hospital, which is not ideal.

We offer prenatal and postpartum massage! Reserve a time with our amazing massage therapist on our website.

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Mariposa Massage and Doula Support

4.8

(17 reviews)

1.9 km

I am a big fan of abdominal massage to heal all sorts of things both physical and emotional. It is…read moresuch a balancing and grounding experience and Francine is truly a healer in everything she does. Anytime you are feeling out-of-sorts Francine's treatments can put you back into your body and help lessen the stress of life by revitalizing and nourishing your soul.

I received more than a massage from Francine. I received a healing. I first met Francine over a…read moreyear ago when she was the assistant midwife for one of my best friends births. I had heard very good things about her and I knew that she was really known and respected in our community. This dear friend gifted me a massage with Francine following the birth of my own baby. I could not have been more excited and in need of a massage as you can imagine. Two and a half months of breast feeding, sleeping with, and carrying a new baby can really leave you with a sore back and arms. I felt very safe to express my emotions and concerns with Francine around what I was looking for in a massage. She normalized all of my disclosures and was very empathetic as she is a midwife and mother herself. I feel that Francine combined many techniques in her massage to help me realign sore areas in my body and I am certain that she also helped me call my spirit back from wherever it had gone during labor. I had many insights and left her home feeling refreshed emotionally and spiritually. I sincerely believe every mother deserves to treat herself to a massage with Francine. As a mental health therapist, I believe it is a necessity to experience the release and realignment that she can intuitively provide so well. I can't wait to treat my husband and mother to a massage with her as well. Thank you Francine.

Souly Body

(33 reviews)

0.4 km

Tsadae is a true body worker and healer. I saw her for multiple prenatal massages and she made such…read morea massive difference in my pregnancy. When I had placenta previa, I took advantage of her in home services and that was a game changer. She heals with not just her hands but also her mind and her amazing energy. I got another massage post partum at home and I cannot recommend that enough. Tsadae is an incredible human and the Bay is so lucky to have her!

Tsadae creates a healing environment for relaxation and support during pregnancy. She is an…read moreadvocate for your needs and birthing plans and really wants the best for you. This is my first time coming to see Tsadae. Her business is in a plaza with parking and she shares the space with an acupuncturist. Tsadae is there every Thursday and Friday and alternating Sundays. She is very responsive via text and is very understanding if you need to reschedule as we know sometimes things come up in our pregnancies that we don't anticipate! During my massage she was very professional and was able to give my body pain relief in my lower back. I also felt relaxed afterwards and felt like my body could move more freely. She helped released tension in my neck and shoulders as well since that's where I hold all my stress. She has pillows to help you feel comfortable on your side while she massages you and a wedge pillow for when you sit up for her to massage your neck and upper back. I definitely recommend her!

Relaxing environment with plants

Massage room

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Refreshments

The Art of Mothering

(18 reviews)

1.5 km

Gingi supported my prenatal and postpartum healing journey -- helping both myself and my 8 week old…read morebaby. I attended her womb movement class while pregnant and absolutely love it! She was also incredibly knowledgeable about breastfeeding and newborn care to reduce gassiness and offered the most amazing body massage afterwards! She validated my experiences as a new mother and created a very comfortable and safe space for me. I look forward to working with her again and highly recommend her services!

VBAC/HBAC success story!…read more As a second-time mom, I knew I wanted my birth experience to be drastically different than my first. I lived in New Jersey when we found out we were pregnant, so I started looking for midwives and OBs out there. I could not find someone who felt right for me. Some wouldn't listen/validate my concerns, others were asking over $10K out-of-pocket up front. As a result, I didn't feel comfortable having any prenatal care at all for the first 30 weeks. Fast forward, my husband got a job in the Bay Area. We were eager to find prenatal care that I felt right about upon moving here. I researched midwives and found Gingi's website. I reached out. We chatted on the phone so she could get an idea of my previous birth and I could ask her some initial questions, and we agreed to meet. I kept researching other midwives, but as soon as I met Gingi, I knew she was the one. The search was over and I had finally found a care provider that I felt confident with. This is so key for an expecting mother. Confidence and trust in your care provider is crucial to obtaining the birth you desire. I could not have had the natural home birth I desired if Gingi Allen wasn't my midwife. God led me to her. She was attentive, caring, and so wise. When my labs showed low iron, she recommended natural ways of increasing my levels. It worked. When we found out my son was breech at 36 weeks, she recommended ways we could flip him. He flipped naturally. My husband was working nights 80 hours a week, I was chasing my 18-month old toddler around, working from home full-time, and unpacking from the move. She reminded me to slow down, reflect, meditate, pause. She really looked at my health from a holistic perspective. Because of her recommendations, I have a fantastic acupuncturist, osteopath and massage therapist. The team she assembled for me was amazing. She was approaching maternity leave herself, and made sure that Grace Bender, her fellow CNM, was there to attend to me postpartum. She was amazing and also at my birth. Kai, her apprentice, was fantastic, and conducted my bone closing ceremony postpartum. During my birth, Gingi really encouraged me to listen to my body. I asked her questions, like "should I push now?" LOL and she would say, "What is your body telling you to do?" She was so patient with me. Listen, my birth, from prodromal labor in the beginning to pushing at the end, was literally a total of 48 hours. She never wavered. She never said, "Well, if x, y or z doesn't happen in this timeframe, then we'll have to.....blah blah blah" That's usually what a woman hears before their care provider deviates from the birth plan. That never happened with Gingi. I loved that she didn't tell me how dilated I was. That was something triggering for me, since I stalled at 9 cm with my first son before I had the C-section. That's not even something I asked Gingi to refrain from doing. She just KNEW that dilating to 10cm was something I was concerned wouldn't happen, so she didn't allow me to worry about it during birth. I'm telling you, this woman's instincts are SUPERB. Trust me when I say, Gingi is the midwife YOU WANT AND NEED. I could not have birthed my beautiful 9lb, 11 oz son at home , after a previous C-section, if I didn't have Gingi. A comment my last midwife made (with my first son), was that my son was "big" which is why I stalled. He was 8 lbs, 12 oz. So literally my second son was almost a FULL POUND LARGER, and I had him at home, COMPLETELY NATURAL. I COULD NOT HAVE DONE THAT WITHOUT GINGI! She is amazing. Just hire her already. You'll be thrilled you did. I was only under her care from weeks 30-40 and still had the most amazing prenatal care experience. My postpartum care, first with her and then, Grace, was crucial to my recovery. I had PPD the first time, but not this time! Gingi Allen will do everything she can to ensure all women in her care have an amazing prenatal care and birth experience. As you can tell, I highly recommend.

Teaching a group of young ladies about their menstrual cycles & self care

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Sister Doulas

(16 reviews)

1.5 km

I found sister doulas when looking for a doula who worked with Kaiser (my insurance). We did an…read moreinitial meet and greet type call where they introduced themselves, their services and answered our questions. They ended the meeting saying they recommend we meet with several doulas before making a decision. As soon as the call ended my husband and I looked at a each and knew our search was over; we signed paperwork that week. Between the prenatal home visits to the group educational classes we felt like we had the support we needed going into labor. The wealth of knowledge and experience between them was incredible. When contractions got serious and we reached out it was sister doulas calm voices on the phone that helped us slow down and make decisions. Their existing relationship with the hospital staff was reassuring. They ensured I/we felt supported, cared and advocated for the entire 22 hour labor. The post partum visits were helpful in a way that I hadn't expected. After the initial new baby excitement when family leaves and lack of sleep kicks in it was so wonderful to have sister doulas reach out and come to our home to check in on us. Without hesitation I would recommend Sister Doulas to any expecting family.

It's hard to put into words the gratitude my partner and I feel for the Sisters Doula team --…read moreAllison, Renata, and Andrea are truly incredible. Before meeting them, we thought of birth as something to get through. They helped us shift our thinking and see it as something to be experienced. The birth of our son became a deeply intimate, connected, and transformative experience. Even weeks later, we still find ourselves in awe, and we're certain it wouldn't have been the same without the Sisters team. They prepared us for labor in a way that felt both meaningful and empowering. We feel so grateful that we began our journey into parenthood in such a beautiful way with their support. From our initial at-home meeting with Allison, we immediately felt at ease. Her calm presence and deep wisdom around birth were grounding from the start. Renata's classes were interactive and experiential, helping us feel informed, capable, and prepared. When labor began, the Sisters team was an invaluable support. Andrea checked in consistently by text during the early phase, and when we were ready, Renata joined us on the phone--calming us and helping us with decision-making. Allison then met us at home and helped guide us in timing our transition to the hospital. Throughout labor, she was a steady, reassuring presence--gently guiding me through different positions, offering encouragement, and helping me stay grounded. The postpartum visits with Allison have been meaningful in ways we hadn't anticipated. Having the space to revisit and process the birth experience with her felt emotional and meaningful. She has been incredibly helpful in normalizing the challenges of early parenthood while also sharing in and celebrating the joys.

Allison Stanton, Andrea Tyrrel and Renata Provost

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Molly Brannigan, Lactation Consultant

(51 reviews)

2.0 km

My husband and I have been to 3 lactation consultants provided by the hospital before seeing molly…read more They did not work for me. I thought the amount of pain that I was experiencing while breastfeeding was somewhat a given and that I just needed to get through the first couple months. I went from using S&S when I didn't have enough milk my first week, to getting my baby's tongue tie snipped, to nipple shield, to getting clogged ducts, to removing the nipple shield and getting blood blisters and peeling of the nipple skin. Breastfeeding became something I dreaded everyday. When my husband would ask If i wanted to breastfeed, I kept postponing hoping that my nipples would have enough time to heal. A friend of mine recommended seeing Molly. Even though insurance didn't cover it, I wanted to give it one last chance before deciding to exclusively pump. With Molly, I had a breakthrough. It's only been 2 days since I've seen her and my son is able to latch deeply several times without giving me pain. She was able to point out how to help him latch deeply and also provide tips on how we can bottle feed in a way that would help transition him back to the boob. We started practicing this right away. The way she communicated was unlike other lactation consultants that I've seen. She was quite friendly, understanding, and encouraging. She took the pressure off to get breastfeeding down- unlike like my third consultant who would say it's "breastfeeding boot camp". She encouraged me to try and practice at least once a day. It didn't feel as overwhelming and it took a huge burden off my shoulders. I highly recommend seeing Molly if you're struggling with your breastfeeding journey! Thank you Molly!

We had an extremely rough start with breastfeeding (our baby had a tongue tie, trouble latching,…read moretrouble opening her mouth wide enough, I was exclusively pumping, I got mastitis multiple times, it developed into abscesses, etc.). Molly's pragmitism-meets-optimism helped us make it through this extremely trying time. Her technical expertise is beyond compare, but what makes her care extra valuable is her unwavering understanding of what it takes to support people who are struggling. I think I told her this at some point, and it probably sounded like a sleep-deprived thing to say, but she is like a protectress from Arthurian times, defending the magic of breastfeeding for as many mamas and babies as possible.

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Ideal Birth

(35 reviews)

3.1 km

It's 8pm on a Saturday night and I am relaxing on my couch having a glass of wine. My little man…read morehas been sleeping in his crib since he fell asleep there, ON HIS OWN, SEVEN minutes after we put him down - without a peep. You read that right. Since I have such ample time, this review will be a long one. I gave you fair warning. I'm not so rigid to think or expect that every night will unfold like tonight. There will be teeth! walking! talking! more regressions to come. However, a month after starting this process, it has become a reasonable reality for me to expect that on more days/nights rather than not (meaning NAPS and bedtime), he will go to sleep. It is a work in progress, but Dahlia guided us through it with the confidence and clarify we ourselves needed to provide to our son for the process to work. The backstory: At 11 weeks old, my son morphed from our lovely sleeping newborn waking twice a night to waking EVERY HOUR, needing to be soothed back to sleep...while sleeping in our bed. As the weeks dragged on, it became clear he was not going to outgrow this hiccup in an amount of time that would preserve my sanity (or marriage lol), and things were snowballing from bad to dreadful (more on that below). He eventually settled on a pattern of waking 4-7 times per night; however, he started having negative sleep associations to most every soothing trick in the book. I won't waste time listing such strategies or the gimmicks I bought on Amazon. Well-meaning folks always shared their soothing strategies. Well, if you can envision it, we tried it. Don't start to tell me about white noise and black out shades. Eventually, NOTHING WORKED except the boob. So sleep - meaning all naps and bedtime plus the night wake ups - became an hour long battle with raging, screaming, kicking, tears. All of which did not guarantee an outcome of sleep in the end! This was a vicious cycle on repeat at least 4 times daily which went on for almost two months (give or take some days where baby was so exhausted he slept well for a night or two). On top of this, I had impending abdominal and oral surgeries. Just icing on the cake. We knew we had to sleep train. After pouring through blogs and books about the various sleep training techniques and studies, I still had reservations (and extreme anxiety subjecting my baby to this), and needed someone to lead me through its ups and downs. Alright I'll be honest - sleep training is mostly down. It is painful. Gutwrenchingly PTSD painful if your baby is anything like mine. Enter Dahlia. She is honest, positive, supportive, respectful, and above all, will use her knowledge to SEE YOU THROUGH IT. She makes herself available and genuinely wants to help you. I cannot thank her enough and I definitely promise you will not get that from a blog. So dread. I used to DREAD naps and bedtime. The clock would hit 5:30pm and my heart would sink a little. My soul would wail a sad song. Now, I think about the time I can spend writing long reviews and blogging while he's sleeping. And the biggest plus? The little man wakes up RELAXED and RESTED and happy to see me. THANK YOU DAHLIA!

Dahlia is the BEST! We hired her for 3 months of postpartum work, which is no small task with…read moretwins! She was so caring, nurturing, and gentle with our babies, her experience was only outweighed by her sweetness and profound gift for "twinning". I feel so lucky to have had her work with us, she taught us (first-time parents) so much, from swaddling to bathing to infant massage! Every morning when Dahila arrived it was a ray of sunshine and positive energy, my babies responded so well to her songs, her feeding techniques, and her cuddles. We were so sad to say goodbye to her when it was time, and are almost jealous of the next family that gets to work with her! :) :)

IB Classes

Boobie Palooza Expo

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Red Tree Placenta

(4 reviews)

47.9 km

This review is long overdue. I intended to write something soon after giving birth, and that was…read moreover 9 years ago! I was searching for an unrelated email this morning and came across our message. I remember Katherine being so great with us. From our first meeting I knew she was calm, personable, and genuinely kind. My partner and I were under a lot of stress at the time, and her energy was perfect. Not overbearing or intrusive. I went into labor on our daughter's due date and Katherine came right away. I had a natural birth, and I remember her checking in and making sure I was OK before she offered comforting touch during labor. It turned out I didn't want to be touched much, and she respected that, offering her support in other ways. She helped me push through the most painful parts of labor with breathing. I hope she knows how much I appreciated her presence.

Kathryn is awesome!!! She took me on last minute and was an amazing doula. I was past due and in…read morepain so she came over to show me techniques to help the pain. Shortly after she left my water broke and she came right back to help me. She kept me calm as possible and helped me focus. She also helped keep my husband calm I highly recommend her

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Piedmont Adult School

3.3

(22 reviews)

2.7 km

Have taken one class, "Learn to Make Dim Sum"…read more Class offerings were interesting and varied. The website is decent, but the basic info a new student might want was a little buried. For instance, answers to questions like "where is my class, is my class really going to happen tomorrow, and who do I call to ask these questions" were not as easy to discern as I'd have liked. Class was held in the Piedmont High School facility, the main dining hall I believe. The course, instruction, and results of the class were all great. In the end we churned out some very passable Dim Sum classics that tasted authentic.

The beauty of Piedmont Adult School is that you don't get graded for your efforts. However if I…read moredid, something tells me I would do my homework more often and would have actually learned more. All in all, PAS is a great way to brush up on some practical skills or professional skills and have a little fun in the process. Here's a rundown of the classes I've taken from there. *Beginning guitar--Not a bad class. I learned to play a few chords...even transition between two of them in a reasonable amount of time (haha), but that's not really the teacher's fault. I just didn't practice as much as I should have. Grade: B *Beginning sewing--after a few successful efforts of cutting up vintage t-shirts and stitching them up tighter and more low-cut to look more Urban Outfitter-ish, I decided that I really want to learn how to sew. After taking this class, I can't really say I learned how to sew. Seriously the skirt I made was U-G-L-Y! Like the other yelpers mentioned, the teacher wasn't the nicest in the world. Talented yes, but a good teacher no. Her tone was just too condescending. Grade: D *Portuguese: Oi! Como vai? That's all I remember from the class. I was a slacker and only went to 3 of the 6 classes. I liked the class, but I didn't have time to do the homework so I stopped going. The teacher was nice and helpful. I can't really punish the class for my lack of effort. Grade: A *Basic Cooking Class: Fun and helpful. Terry Paulding does a great job educating us on preparing simple seasonal meals. Plus she has a great workspace in Emeryville. This is such a great value for the quality of the class. Grade A+ Updated on 11/19/2007-adding a star *Chocolate Class: Wow a dream come true for me. For some reason I've always thought cooking with Chocolate was difficult. Willow Waldeck has taught me otherwise. She's a wonderful teacher. I walked away from each class with tasty chocolate desserts of bakery/restaurant quality: chocolate truffles, chocolate decadence cookies, almond chocolate torte, chocolate molten cakes. My love for chocolate has only deepened with this class. Grade: A+++

Piedmont is located in the Oakland Hills near highways 13 and 580.

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Traffic Violator School is fun!

Mountain Boulevard Montessori School

The school's academic curriculum is awesome. I put my two daughters through Mountain Blvd.,…read moreMontessori and they were more than prepared to thrive in kindergarten. The staff and teachers are also very caring and want to see the children be successful in all aspects. If there is one thing I would love to see evolve is more activities/events geared towards parent and family participation. Overall, the school has done a fantastic job with our two little humans.

My daughter has attended Mountain Boulevard Montessori School for the last 2.5 years (since she was…read more28 months old) and it is easily the best decision we have made. We looked at so many different school options and are beyond happy that we chose this school. The small/intimate feeling compounds to staff that really care about the safety, health, and development of all the kids. Students not only grow academically (reading, math, science, etc.), socially, and get exposed to different cultures and languages. She has learned so much Spanish and Mandarin which is amazing as well. We highly recommend this school to any and all parents!

Our spacious outdoor space

With a large play area, even the most energetic child can play, run, and grow.

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Warm and inviting classrooms in a secure setting offering a full complement of Montessori activities for young minds to explore

Guidepost Montessori at Emeryville

(39 reviews)

2.8 km

We have had our infant son attend guidepost for a couple months now. The staff is extraordinarily…read morekind and deeply care about the well-being of the children. I myself am deaf, and the staff was open to using sign language in the classroom to affirm his basic language skills -- that is incredible and no other daycares we toured seemed so happy to embrace our Deaf culture! Our son always gets dropped off with a big smile on his face and truly loves it here. Miss Yvette is a saint and our son loves her deeply :)

It's Teacher Appreciation Week, and a great reminder for me to share a review…read more May 2025: A year later and we are still loving Guidepost. Ms. Emilia, Ms. Carol, Mr. Miles, Ms. Tanya, Ms. Shelby, and so many others have been amazing teachers to our precocious, rambunctious toddler. He loves his class and looks forward to school every day. The guides take such great care to nurture our toddler's curiosities, spending a great deal of time organizing events and exposing him to new words, activities, cultures, and habits every day. They spend some of their evenings and weekends as well to facilitate fun activities like movies & pizza for Parent's Night Out or summer water parties when the weather is warm. We feel so fortunate to have been introduced to this place and know that our kids are happy and healthy here. The teachers use apps to help log activities and photos, so we never miss out and get tons of updates throughout the week. Ms. Emilia sends weekly updates about our toddler's class and their focuses for the week, and Ms. Shelby send weekly updates about school happenings. Ms. Stephanie is always available to chat if we have any questions or concerns to share, and all of the guides seem to celebrate the mini milestones our kids achieve every day. --- Jan 2024: Our little one just started in the Nido infant class and is thriving! We were so worried about the transition, but Mrs. Yvette and all of the teachers are so wonderful and kind. They guided us new parents and helped make the environment so warm and welcoming for our baby. It's only week 3 but our little one is eager to go to school to see his teachers and friends!

My son learning to put his shoes on.

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Alma's Children Garden

4.6

(32 reviews)

1.6 km

My child attended Miss Alma's in 2020. My descriptions may be outdated…read more - What's great: The dreamy backyard, breakfast included, sweet teachers, fun activities. - Not the best: Alma would only take payment by cash. No checks, no Venmo, no nothing. I had to go to the bank every month and withdraw and deliver nearly $2,000 cash, for which I received a handwritten receipt. Huge hassle, not very safe, and did not not feel professional. I hope this is no longer her policy. Overall, this was a good daycare for my child when she was a young toddler. I think Alma sends kids to attend preschool once they turn 3.

Our twins have been attending Alma's Children Garden since they were 2, and watching them grow and…read moredevelop over this past year has been amazing. As a working parent, finding a daycare that provides both a safe environment and genuine care for your children is everything - and Alma's delivers on both. The facilities are clean, secure, and well-maintained. But what really sets this place apart is how the caregivers truly nurture each child. I've watched my twins go from shy toddlers to confident 3-year-olds who wake up excited to go to "school." They've developed social skills, learned to share and communicate better, and come home singing new songs and showing us art projects they're proud of. What gives me peace of mind every day is knowing that when I drop them off, they're not just being watched - they're being cared for by people who genuinely want to see them grow. The staff remembers little things about each child and shares those moments with us at pickup. My daughter now counts to 20, and my son has become so much more expressive, and they are both come home each day smiling. We've had nothing but positive experiences here. The communication is great, the environment feels warm rather than institutional, and most importantly, my children are super happy. They actually get upset on weekends when they realize it's not a school day! If you're looking for quality childcare in Emeryville, I highly recommend Alma's Children Garden.

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Happa Baby School

0 reviews

2.3 km

Emeryville Child Development Center

4.4

(17 reviews)

2.1 km

I like ECDC. It resembles a small school with classrooms, and a couple of different playgrounds for…read moredifferent aged kids. The staff is getting pretty effective with social media and sends a calendar of activities each week, and photos of classroom activities. The facility feels secure with a locked door and solid fencing. Having had my son in two other places as he has grown up, ECDC is my favorite so far.

Emeryville Child Development has been a wonderful place for my child. We attended ECDC for a year…read morebefore we moved from the area. We really like it and are sad to leave. The center director (Diana) is warm and friendly, and takes time to get to know all the families. The staff are always friendly, and relay stories of the day when you pick up your child. They really get to know and care for your child. ECDC is such a great resource for the community, and definitely the best child care in the area that I could find. This was her first childcare experience, and I had visited so many different childcare facilities before I chose this one. I based my decision on her personality (she is playful and likes a festive environment with many other children), as well as: - Safety of the facility: is it easy for some stranger off the street to get in? - Center director and staff - Kitchen cleanliness, and food provision - "Potty" facilities - Condition and spaciousness of the classrooms and playgrounds - Age group division: Younger children need classrooms divided into a smaller age brackets The entire facility is like a fort, you need a special key for entry and you have to pass through the reception/office area before you can even find children. There are also cameras everywhere. The classrooms are clean and spacious, and each one has very clean, height-appropriate restrooms for the children. We started off in Toddler 1, which has two big rooms and a newly-updated outside play area that has a sunshade over most of it. This is perfect for sunny/hot Emeryville. The play area is safe, padded, and well equipped, no ancient rusty equipment. There are occasional field trips and activities outside the center. We really love that food is provided at the center (by Chefables), and it seems to be good food. This decreases the chance that my LO will want to take someone else's lunch. :) This center seems to have enough children to separate them into narrower age brackets (2-2.5 years for one room, 2.5-3 years for another), while other centers combined 2 and 3 year olds. I visited a center that combined 2 and 3 year olds, and the older kids were ganging up on the younger ones. After seeing that, I always brought my LO to visit new schools to see if she got along with the children. Also, my LO loves to visit the baby room, and whenever we go in there the staff are always holding and cuddling the babies. Compare this to other centers I visited, where babies in the infant rooms were left alone on dirty floors. My LO has learned so many new words, and she tells me she has lots of fun all day. She sings funny songs that I definitely didn't teach her. The staff have been so helpful through the potty training process. She developed better table manners (no longer throws food on the ground) and learned to nap on her own. Most importantly, she has made many new friends and has had the experience of developing strong, positive relationships with adults outside her family. I know that ECDC has provided my daughter with a strong foundation that will help her successfully transition to another school.

Field Trip at Tilden Park

Oakland Zoo field trip

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Pirate Day

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Whitney P.

11 years ago

Juli Tilsner is a highly skilled midwife, a gifted educator, and a dedicated mentor. She is beyond generous with her time, offering thoughtful guidance to her students both in and outside of the classroom. I have completed numerous trainings at Cornerstone including Juli's Midwifery courses, homebirth for doulas, homeopathy essentials, and optimal fetal positioning, as well as Nickie's birth and postpartum doula trainings. The information and wisdom shared in all of these classes has been top-notch, highly accessible, and has profoundly shaped and deepened my doula practice. Juli deeply cares for her students, the future generation of midwives. She thoughtfully designs her classes to reflect the complex and unique nature of every individual's experience throughout the childbearing cycle, weaving in her own experiences from over 15 years of practicing as a midwife. The classes are focused, yet dynamic to meet the needs of each class of students. Juli is an intent and compassionate listener, modeling the true art of being present and attending to the emotional needs of midwifery clients. Beyond the incredible information presented in the classes and the take-home binder filled with articles, remedies, and other bits of wisdom, Juli is generously available to mentor her students. Anytime I have a question related to pregnancy, birth, or the postpartum period, I can count on Juli to give a timely and thoughtful response. I have yet to see her stumped. Furthermore, she is highly perceptive and intuitive, extracting a well of considerations always tailored to the uniqueness of the situation in question. Recently, Juli served as my interim midwife while facing some complications in early pregnancy. I was moved by how engaged and supportive she was throughout the process. She thoroughly explained the risks and benefits of my situation and provided multiple resources for getting my pregnancy to a healthy place. The homeopathic remedies she provided made an immediate difference in my situation, but it was her warm support that made the biggest impact, instantly calming and reassuring me during a delicate time. I highly recommend Juli as a trusted guide on the path to becoming a midwife or a doula. I am forever grateful to her for the confidence she has instilled in me as a doula and as a mother-to-be. read more

Brigette B.

11 years ago

I put a lot of thought into choosing a doula training program. Between the big programs like DONA, DTI, ect., there was a lot to sort though! I am so incredibly glad I ended up going with Cornerstone. Between their personal trainings and backgrounds (Nickie is a doula and Juli is a home birth midwife), the mom and daughter duo created a seamless program for any aspiring doula, midwife, childbirth educator, or birth-worker. In cross referencing content with other doulas and taking a few cuorses with other programs, Cornerstone's curriculum goes above and beyond what is out there. I have taken both the Labor and Postpartum Doula Training with Nickie, Homeopathy Essentials for Birth-Workers with Juli, and the Home Birth for Doulas class taught by both Nickie and Juli. The curriculum for all courses were comprehensive, thoughtful, and informative. Not to mention the small class sizes taught out of Nickie and Juli's own living room in San Francisco foster a very personal and individualized atmosphere where it is easy to address different learning styles, answer every students questions, get to know students on a personal level, allow space for processing, and build networks of other doulas who you will end up working with later! Not only were the trainings I received top notch, but the follow-up and mentorship that followed me into the start of my career (and even to this day two-years later!) is really what makes Cornerstone special. I feel completely comfortable e-mailing or calling Nickie or Juli if I have a questions or if I am in a bind at a birth and need advice. Nickie has met with me one-on-one to discuss my business and help me take things to the next level. Juli has spoken to me on the phone about specific homeopathic remedies or what can help a mama avoid induction and to go into labor naturally. I am so grateful and thankful for the lessons and teachings they have provided me outside of my doula trainings. Juli and Nickie really care about their students and I feel so supported having them as mentors. I could not be more pleased with the trainings I have taken, more grateful for the guidance I have received, and more excited about taking the classes Cornerstone is developing. read more

Meg P.

5 years ago

I discovered Cornerstone in June 2020--I was at a bit of a crossroads in my own birthwork practice and had to come realize that my initial training with a large, well-known doula training organization was inadequate. After watching an Instagram Live with Nickie and Jazz Ylaine-Baptiste, I knew Cornerstone's Postpartum Birthworker training was it for me. Honestly? It felt like I had been looking at the world in blah grey and then suddenly it was technicolour. It was an awakening! Thanks to this incredibly comprehensive course, I really did come home to myself and was reminded of my passion and purpose. Grounded in anti-racism, inclusion of all bodies and identities, harm reduction, and respect for each birthing person's autonomy, Cornerstone's slate of instructors made each module a rich and engaging learning environment. Evidence-based care was combined with social justice and a trauma-informed foundation that highlighted that doing this work is a calling and it is political. From physiological healing after birth, to caring for multiples, to lactation, this training is THOROUGH. I concluded this course with a sense of confidence and community, knowing that if questions arise along the way--because they will--there are supporters here to help because our learning and unlearning never stops. Thank you, Cornerstone--this was life changing and a reminder of the incredible privilege it is to do this work. If you feel called to birthwork, I can't recommend Cornerstone enough; Nickie and Juli walk the walk and are knowledgeable, compassionate, passionate educators. read more

Sierra V.

9 years ago

The main reason I chose Cornerstone as my doula training program, was because of their commitment to inclusivity. As a queer woman with genderqueer family members, I knew I wanted my doula practice to be welcoming to all types of families. Cornerstone did not disappoint. Nickie and Juli both used the terms "pregnant person" or "laboring person" frequently to remind us that women are not the only people who give birth. Nickie often included cultural examples for "meeting clients where they're at" in order to build trust between clients and doulas. On the first day of class, our getting-to-know-you exercise included preferred pronouns, and Nickie set up a system for us to help each other be considerate and respectful of those whose experiences are different from our own. Overall, I had a wonderful time at the Labor Doula Training class, and I certainly plan on taking future courses with Cornerstone as well. Nickie and Juli were both so knowledgeable and welcoming. I left our final session excited and confident about my ability to begin practicing as a doula immediately. read more

Melanie H.

18 years ago

When I first found out about Cornerstone Doula Trainings, I had been looking for a doula training for about a year and a half, but didn't feel excited about any of the ones that I had come across. After meeting Juli and Nickie, I knew that their's was the training I wanted to take. I felt that the breadth of their knowledge and the material they covered would prepare me to confidently support women and families. The training itself was warm and lively and exceeded my expectations. Juli and Nickie clearly and passionately gave us the tools we'd need to help women have gentle, loving births. Their years of experience provided us with excellent resources for working in the Bay Area birth world. And I have come to count their support & friendship, as well as that of my classmates, to be as valuable as the content of the training. The experience as a whole was remarkable and empowering, and I recommend it fully to anyone looking to become a doula. read more

Diana N.

11 years ago

I could not be happier or more grateful for the doula training I received from Nickie at Cornerstone Doula Trainings. Not only did I learn a wealth of information from the classes and resources provided but I also gained a true understanding of what sisterhood in birth work looks and feels like. Nickie makes her students feel completely safe and comfortable by creating space in her home to learn and share. After completing the birth and postpartum doula trainings and coursework, I felt ready (and supported) to start my own doula business and begin networking in the birth community. I know other people who go through other organizations for certification and feel very lost. You will not have that experience with Cornerstone. Nickie is a great mentor and goes above and beyond for her trainees. I highly recommend Cornerstone's classes & workshops, even if you aren't seeking certification but want to build on your doula knowledge and skills. read more

Angela L.

17 years ago

Wow. The passion and integrity that these women bring to serving other women throughout the birthing process is unparalleled. I took the home birth Doula class with them after being a Doula for 8 years and loved their insight and compassionate knowledge. Juli and Nickie come with hearts wide open to equip other women to support and empower each other in a very powerful way. I am currently finishing up my schooling as a chiropractor and was VERY impressed with the detailed knowledge of physiology and the accessible way that they present the complicated dynamics within the body of the birthing process, and the best way to support women through the hormonal and biomechanical changes that take place throughout pregnancy and childbirth. I wish I had more thumbs so I could put them all up!! I highly recommend Cornerstone Doula Training, and look forward to attending more of their classes as soon as time permits!! read more

Heather H.

9 years ago

I took Julie and Nickie's doula training course two years ago and my life changed forever. I wasn't expecting to walk away from something feeling so prepared and confident. It touched on every aspect one would expect and more. How to run a your own business was my weakness. The information given to us explained step by step how to get launched with everything from website to marketing and networking. But this comprehensive course also tapped into spiritual, emotional topics AND social justice topics in the birth world. Once I started out on my own as a doula, I new I had a place I could reach out with any questions or help at anytime. I now have a thriving business and am hoping to take extended learning classes through them. These two women are as real as they come. They have taken years and years of experience and research have created an amazing doula training course. I will forever be grateful to them. read more

Deborah S.

11 years ago

Why you should study with Cornerstone Midwifery Trainings Your education & understanding of Midwifery will be deeply influenced by your preceptor's experience & belief system. Juli Tilsner, the founder, teacher and mentor of Cornerstone, worked in a home birth practice with some of the best statistics in the Bay Area. Juli's practice was well known for having low transfer rates, low at home interventions and one of the highest VBAC success rates nationwide. Combined with a kind, generous spirit & an amazing way of breaking complex theory into understandable parts and you've got the makings of a great midwifery teacher, mentor and preceptor. Cornerstone Midwifery Trainings has become one of the premier educators of the next generation of Midwives. I highly recommend all the classes that Cornerstone offers. Deborah Simone, LM MentoringMidwives.Org. read more

Catherine B.

18 years ago

I highly recommend Cornerstone Doula trainings for anyone looking for a deep understanding of the work and support for becoming a Doula. Many trainings offer good content, but Juli and Nickie really understand and teach the emotional and spiritual aspects of this work. The trainings are thorough and holistic in nature. The classes offer rich content and discussions and opportunities for deep connections with other students. The instructors take the time to address personal issues that come up as result of entering into this powerful and charged material. And, I really felt prepared to attend births immediately after taking this course. The instructors have also been available to support me as I've started attending births. Juli and Nickie really care about their students and the work their students undertake in the world." read more

Clarissa H.

11 years ago

I was blown away by my labor doula training with Nickie at Cornerstone. Nickie is exactly my style of teacher--straightforward, funny, intelligent, and caring. The classes were comprehensive, detailed, and interesting. Nickie uses a variety of teaching tools in her classes, including hands-on activities, peer teaching and learning, videos, Powerpoints, and tactile demonstrative tools. Furthermore, I sincerely appreciate the social justice perspective that Nickie takes to birth work in this training, which is to say that it's inclusive of all types of birth and families. I do my best to do all of my work within a social justice framework and I was thrilled to encounter that with Cornerstone. I highly recommend Cornerstone Doula Trainings to anyone interested in birth work in the Bay Area. read more

Megan M.

184

9 years ago

I could not be any happier with the education that I received and the community I was welcomed into at Cornerstone. They welcome wonderful people into their home and fill their brains with an immense amount of knowledge. You leave these classes with the confidence to go out into the world to work and volunteer as a doula. I took the 3 classes to certify as a doula in December and have already taken on my first postpartum client and will begin volunteering at SFGH next month!! These classes have set me on a new life path that I could not be more excited for. Both Juli and Nickie are also very social justice minded. I love their attention to language and representation during class and their entire practices. Meet these women, take their classes, you won't regret it!! read more

Tamiko L.

11 years ago

I've been a Doula for the past few years with no formal training. I decided to step it up 2 notches and found Conerstone training. I went to their Doula's in Paradise in June 2015 and came back with so much knowledge of not only assisting with births but also how to run my Doula business more efficiently. I was so intrigued by Nickie and Julie's knowledge and style of teaching I decided to take the Fundamentals of Midwife courses this past September and now I am applying for Midwifery colleges. I highly recommend their classes not only for Birth workers but for all who plan on having children you will be amazed by what isnt said to the general population. Birth is a beautiful process and Im glad Conerstone was here for me and my future clients. read more

Brenda M.

5 years ago

I'm taking the Cornerstone CBE Facilitator Training! I've taken many trainings in my years as a doula. This course is the most thorough of any training I've taken. It's fourteen weeks of prerecorded content and weekly live meetings to concretize those learnings. Not only am I learning things about birth that I didn't know, I'm also learning about inclusivity, decolonization, harm-reduction, trauma-informed care and many other topics. These discussions are expanding my understanding of my work AND expanding my understanding of the world! If you're thinking about facilitating childbirth education classes, sign up for their training. You won't be disappointed! read more

Sara D.

11 years ago

I've felt nothing less then 100% supported by this amazing Mother daughter team since begining my doula path. Each class felt like so much information, but given in a way that was easy to take in. A space flilled with love as hippy as that sounds you don't even know you needed the comforts these ladies bring to the table to show you just how you want your clients to feel. Each class was also filled with a group of supportive humans looking to support humans. I loved my experience and will be taking all my doula classes with these ladies. Thank you thank you thank you for sharing your knowledge support and belief that doulas need. Thank you, Sara read more

Donna C.

11 years ago

This training was absolutely remarkable. I have attended a couple of Other trainings and Nickie and Juli were over the top compared to them. I learned more. They both were much more available to us all during classes and afterwards. The training was intimately experienced as holistic with such a lovely hands on approach. Experience being the best teacher, I look forward to getting on with my next clients and practicing a whole new world of information. Thank you Nickie and Juli for certification as a Birth and Post-Partum Doula and for the great advantage of having you both accessible as helpers with my doula business. read more

Beth A.

11 years ago

I took the Birth & Postpartum Doula trainings through Cornerstone and would recommend their certification course to anyone interested in supporting families in birth! They are a wealth of knowledge about, not only birth and doula work, but also on the business aspects of making a living while doing birth work. Their support and post-training help has been invaluable in my continued success. The printed materials were well done and the videos and library of resources they have are unbeatable! I will continue my education with Cornerstone and can't wait for even more classes and workshops to be offered. read more

Erika M.

12 years ago

This was an absolutely amazing training. I thoroughly enjoyed the information, class dynamic, presentation of materials and videos. I'm so impressed by Nicki's knowledge of everything Doula related and her composure and grace! I appreciate all the business skills and genuine empowerment of females working for themselves. In my day job I am a union organizer so I can really appreciate the code of ethics Nicki and her network of doula's have all worked so hard to solidify and sanctify. After taking this course I feel ready to get out there and really support mama's. I highly recommend this training! read more

Fadzlyana I.

11 years ago

Nickie Tilsner from Cornerstone Doula Training has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to birth and giving labour support. He extensive anatomical and physiological knowledge of the postnatal/postpartum makes her teachings very rooted in science. I've been to many trainings where a lot of the instructors just skim through the business part of the course. This training is different because I actually feel like I have been given the tools/tips to start my own doula business. I will be taking Cornerstone Postpartum Doula Training in a couple of weeks; I'm excited to continue learning with Nickie. read more

Phylicia M.

11 years ago

I've recently taken both the Labor and Postpartum Doula trainings at Cornerstone and the experience was amazing! It changed my life to say the least. Nickie welcomed us into her home with open arms & was objective and so passionate about teaching. I met a network of doulas (now friends) that I can call and depend on. This program provided me with ample resources and continuing education options. I feel prepared and confident in my skills obtained from her courses. I look forward to the NEW trainings that will be available this fall. I promise you won't regret signing up!! read more

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Cornerstone Doula Trainings - adultedu - Updated August 2026

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(31 reviews)

My husband and I had been trying to conceive naturally for about a year when we learned that I had…read morelow AMH and high FSH, indicating a lower egg count than typical for my age and making natural conception more challenging. We discovered Spring Fertility online and ultimately decided to move forward with Dr. Okeigwe as our provider. After reading the many positive reviews--and now having experienced their care firsthand--we have nothing but great things to say about the entire team. The journey was not easy, and we certainly faced our share of trials and tribulations. Although I often worried about whether it would work, Dr. Okeigwe consistently reassured me and expressed complete confidence that we would be able to achieve a successful pregnancy. I went through three rounds of IVF, and with each round she adjusted the approach, resulting in better outcomes every time. We ultimately needed two transfers, but they led to our baby boy, who is now seven weeks old. The team's confidence truly helped ease the anxiety I felt throughout the process. In addition to Dr. Okeigwe, my nurse, Megan--who worked closely with me from start to finish--was incredibly patient and supportive. I reached out to her on weeknights and weekends, and she always responded promptly and appropriately. She never made me feel uncomfortable or uninformed, no matter how big or small my questions were. The front desk staff was consistently kind, and the medical assistants who handled my blood draws were wonderful as well. I would wholeheartedly recommend Spring Fertility to any family member or friend because of the exceptional experience I had. Thank you for helping bring our miracle baby into the world!

It's been a few years now since I was a patient at Spring, and I want to share my terrible…read moreexperience at this clinic in hopes that it will be helpful to other people in my situation who are seeking compassionate and competent treatment. My spouse and I sought out Spring specifically because they like to position their clinics as experts in LGBTQ+ family planning, and claim to have expertise treating transgender and nonbinary people. My spouse is a nonbinary person on hormone replacement therapy, and it was extremely important to us to find a clinic and a doctor with some experience treating trans people. We were referred to Dr. Dovey as the clinic's "LGBTQ expert," and I went into my first consult with her having high hopes for a good experience. During that consult, Dr. Dovey misgendered my spouse every single time she referred to them. To give her credit where credit is due, she would correct herself, and then misgender them again two sentences later, correct herself, and so on and so forth. At the point at which someone misgenders you ten times in a row, you really start to wonder if they are even trying to get it right, especially when the person in question is supposed to be the organization's "LGBTQ expert." Dr. Dovey also proposed a lot of unnecessary measures with regards to my spouse, like stopping their hormone treatments to collect even more genetic materials from them (when they had already cryopreserved more than the recommended amount of reproductive materials prior to the beginning of their transition). Ultimately, it felt like Dr. Dovey didn't actually care about trans people, understanding trans experiences in medical settings, or my spouse's individual experience at the clinic. My spouse had a range of experiences with other staff at the clinic, from being gendered correctly to other people misgendering them. Not a particularly great sign from a place that is supposed to be "good" about trans issues! Even so, we might have tried to stick with Spring, but they also messed up pretty badly in another area. Like many people who wind up in fertility clinics, I have some chronic health conditions. Most of them are not genetic and are not genetically transmissible. However, I do have one very rare genetic mutation that results in lower bone density than the average person my age. IF my spouse were to be a carrier for the same very rare genetic mutation, it MIGHT cause a child of ours to experience a similar condition. I want to be clear that in my day-to-day life, this condition does not really affect me negatively and I have no reason to think about it unless I'm discussing my medical history. While we were in the initial steps of our process at Spring, Dr. Dovey and her staff repeatedly communicated to me that they would essentially require my spouse to have a very particular genetic test done (one so specific that my spouse's PCP could not order it and would have had to refer them to a genetic specialist to do so) to ensure that any potential embryos we created would not have this condition. The clinic refused to move forward with our process until my spouse got the testing done, and it really came across as "we don't want your potential child to turn out like YOU." Which, to be honest, felt insulting, gross, policing, and completely unnecessary. It really didn't feel like the clinic's business or call whether we chose to get the genetic testing done or not, but Spring absolutely made it their call. This is what really killed any chances of our working with Spring, and we just quietly dropped out of the process. Spring comes across as a clinic that cares a lot about its numbers and success rates, and a place that doesn't have a problem throwing up roadblocks for people whose health conditions might possibly impact how good their numbers look. For chronically ill and disabled people, this kind of vibe essentially sends the message "we don't care about you and we don't really want to treat you." At least, that's the way I felt after my experience at Spring. People and organizations can change, and I hope that in the years since I attempted to be a patient there, Dr. Dovey and Spring have improved. In fact, I know people who have had positive experiences with Dr. Dovey and Spring! However, based on my personal experience of this clinic, I can't recommend her as a practitioner or the clinic as a safe space for trans people or chronically ill and disabled people. If you belong to one of those groups, do your research, interview clinics and ask about their training and experience with these patient populations, and go from there -- but don't go to Spring.

Grey Crane Bodywork and Birth Support

(6 reviews)

Meadow is an amazing bodyworker who I highly recommend. I have been hesitant about massage in the…read morepast and found it difficult to relax. Meadow is the first person I have received a massage from, where I truly felt comfortable in my body. They were thoughtful, respectful, and clearly intentional about creating a fat-friendly environment where fat folks are not just accommodated but genuinely welcomed. Meadow brings a real gift to their work and creates a space where people feel safe and seen.. During our 70-minute session together, I felt cared for the entire time, which allowed me to relax and receive the gifts of Meadow's hands. Her flexibility and attentiveness translate beautifully into her body work and she made sure to offer exactly what I needed in the moment (e.g., silence, music, or conversation). I would absolutely recommend Meadow to anyone, especially folks who have felt unsure or excluded in traditional massage settings. This experience truly changed my whole viewpoint on massage.

I had a most wonderful birth experience with Meadow. From…read moreprenatal massage and support, to planning and birthing, she was supportive, warm, knowledgable and well -- AMAZING. She supported me to have a beautiful birth story for my second child. I highly recommend her.

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