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About IresWelcome! Thank you for being here. My name is Ires Wilbanks, CYT, CD(DONA), CBC, and I've been rooted in serving women during their childbearing years since 2007. My work has evolved over the years. I'm a mother of two incredible teenagers, a dedicated yoga practitioner and teacher, and certified doula through DONA International. I'm also a Certified Breastfeeding Counselor and a trained Postpartum Doula. I teach a well attended weekly prenatal yoga class in Maplewood, NJ where each class begins with a "prenatal village". I also teach hatha, prenatal, postnatal and yoga for labor & delivery and received my certifications from New York's Integral Yoga Institute, where I also taught.
I view birth as a ceremony and a rite of passage. How do we, as modern humans, connect with 65 million years of successful mammalian birth? Our biological imperative is to thrive and to experience ecstasy and love through the process of becoming mothers. My goal is to educate, inspire, and serve. It is an honor to witness families on their journeys and to hold space for empowered and peaceful birth experiences. My path to becoming a doula began with the birth of my own children in 2004 and 2007. I was inspired to follow this path after experiencing a traumatic first birth in the hospital and then a triumphant VBAC three years later. Each woman I've had the honor of serving has taught me so much about birth. We are all so unique! I'm a DONA International certified labor doula and remain current with education through advanced courses & research. I'm keenly interested in functional movement a biomechanics as such I am now a Body Ready Method® certified professional and I've also participated in Spinning Babies workshops. I recently completed 12 weeks of Radical Birth Keeper School through the Freebirth Society. In 2016, I completed the assistant midwifery program at The Farm in TN and several advanced doula trainings with Debra Pascali-Bonaro and attended her advanced skills in 2018 with midwife Robin Lim of Bumi Sehat in Bali, Indonesia. |
Why Yoga? |
Ancient yogis and leaders of the Grecian School of Medicine like Aristotle, understood the innate connection between the body and the mind. It is only recently that modern medicine is finding the psyche/soma connection an area worth studying.
Yoga is a philosophy and a science meant to help us live our lives with less suffering. Transformation begins on the physical plane via the postures and breathing. The body sheds toxins and becomes healthier and more supple. The powerful effects of the practice are felt immediately and can impact how we feel, how we look and how we lead our lives. Yoga has helped countless people overcome various ailments and has allowed them to experience joy in their lives! My weekly regimen includes a daily Ashtanga yoga practice, pranayama, meditation. I take care of myself so that I can provide wholehearted compassionate care for the families I work with. My classes are fueled by my love of yoga and my deep connection and understanding of birth as a spiritual journey. As your doula, I employ all the relaxation techniques and hands on work that I've learned over the years to help you stay calm and enjoy your birth! |
Ires in India with Shri R. Sharath Jois.
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I was honored to serve Emily and Kate on their birth journey. Their story was featured in New York Magazine.
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