🌿 Frequently Asked Questions

Perinatal Training, Yoga, and Doula Support with Anne Catherine

What is a perinatal trainer?

A perinatal trainer specializes in movement, strength, and recovery during and after pregnancy. My work blends modern fitness science, functional movement, and yoga-based alignment to support your body through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. I help you train safely and intentionally — integrating breath, posture, and nervous system regulation for long-term strength and resilience.

Is it safe to exercise during pregnancy?

Yes — when done correctly and under professional guidance. Exercise in pregnancy supports circulation, mobility, and emotional balance. My prenatal classes emphasize functional movement and breathing techniques adapted for each trimester, helping you prepare for birth safely and effectively.

When can I start postpartum movement or yoga?

You can begin gentle postpartum recovery once your care provider clears you for movement and your baby’s umbilical cord stump has healed. We start with breath, alignment, and core reconnection before progressing to strengthening and mobility work. Every recovery is unique — my approach honors your individual timeline and energy levels.

What is a perinatal or postpartum doula, and why is it so helpful?

A perinatal doula provides practical, emotional, and educational support through pregnancy, birth preparation, and the postpartum period. Unlike a medical provider or therapist, a doula focuses on nurturing the mother (or birthing person) — supporting you through daily rhythms, nourishment, recovery, and the emotional transitions that accompany new parenthood.

As a postpartum doula, I offer in-home care such as Ayurvedic oil massage (Abhyanga), belly binding, baby massage instruction, meal train setup, and gentle household organization to help you rest and recover.

Having a doula can reduce stress, promote healing, improve bonding, and lower rates of postpartum depression and anxiety. Research shows that continuous, compassionate support improves birth outcomes and maternal wellbeing — and that’s what a doula provides.

How is your method different from traditional yoga or personal training?

Many people think they need a “personal trainer” to stay strong during pregnancy or postpartum — but perinatal education is a specialized field. Holding a general fitness credential does not automatically qualify someone to train pregnant or postpartum bodies safely.

Pregnancy and recovery involve profound physiological, biomechanical, and emotional changes. True support requires understanding pelvic floor dynamics, intra-abdominal pressure, hormonal shifts, joint laxity, and nervous system regulation.

As a perinatal trainer and yoga teacher, I integrate corrective exercise, biomechanics, somatic movement, and trauma-informed education with the wisdom of yoga and Ayurveda. My work helps you build functional strength, restore balance, and move safely — honoring your body’s natural intelligence and capacity.

When choosing someone to guide you through this season — one of the most significant biopsychosocial events of your life — it’s essential to choose based on expertise, not intensity. The right guide will give you what you need, not just what you think you need, leading to safer, deeper, and more lasting results.

Why choose a yogic approach? Is there science behind it?

Yes — and the evidence is growing every year. A yoga-informed approach supports the whole person: body, mind, and nervous system. Studies show that prenatal yoga and mindful movement can:

• Decrease stress hormones like cortisol

• Reduce pregnancy-related pain and swelling

• Improve sleep and digestion

• Lower risk of preterm birth and hypertension

• Support optimal fetal positioning and smoother labor

• Shorten recovery time postpartum and improve pelvic floor function

Yoga isn’t just stretching; it’s a system of functional movement, breath regulation, and emotional awareness — all of which prepare the body for labor and the mind for motherhood. My approach honors these roots while integrating modern movement science to support a healthy pregnancy, smoother birth, and sustainable recovery — whether it’s your first or fifth baby.

Can I add Perinatal Training or Yoga to my Doula Care package?

Yes. Many clients choose to add Perinatal Training or Yoga-Based Movement sessions to their Doula Care package for a truly comprehensive experience. These private, guided sessions combine functional movement, corrective exercise, yoga-informed strength training, breathwork, and somatic practices to support your changing body through pregnancy and postpartum recovery.

Including movement sessions in your Doula Care plan helps prepare the body for labor, promotes optimal fetal positioning, and eases postpartum rehabilitation — blending physical readiness with emotional and nervous system support.

Perinatal Training and Yoga add-ons may also be eligible for HSA/FSA reimbursement with a doctor’s letter of medical necessity.

Why combine movement with doula care?

Integrating movement, education, and hands-on support creates a more complete and effective foundation for pregnancy, birth, and recovery. Movement isn’t just about exercise — it’s about improving circulation, nervous system balance, and the body’s ability to adapt to physical and emotional change.

When combined with doula care, Perinatal Training and Yoga strengthen the core and pelvic floor, support optimal fetal positioning, and reduce common discomforts like back, hip, or pelvic pain. This approach also helps regulate the nervous system, improving rest, digestion, and emotional wellbeing — all essential for a smoother birth and more easeful postpartum recovery.

By weaving functional movement and mindful body awareness into doula care, you receive whole-person support that honors the deep connection between your physical body, emotional health, and lived experience of motherhood.

Do you offer in-home support or private sessions?

Yes. I offer private prenatal and postpartum training as well as in-home doula care, including Abhyanga (Ayurvedic oil massage), belly binding, baby massage instruction, postpartum meal train setup, and gentle household organization. These offerings help restore balance, warmth, and support to the postpartum body and home.

What if I’m not flexible or don’t like “yoga”?

That’s completely okay. What I teach isn’t about flexibility or performance — it’s about function, alignment, and strength. Yoga in this context simply means mindful, integrated movement. My classes use yoga-based principles to connect breath, posture, and awareness so you move efficiently and feel at ease in your body.

Many of my students who thought they needed a “gym workout” discover that this approach actually builds more strength and stability — without the pain or strain that can come from generic fitness programming.

Can your classes or training help with pain or injuries?

Yes. Many clients come to me with pelvic pain, diastasis recti, SPD, SI joint instability, or chronic neck and shoulder tension. Through mindful strength work, breath training, and functional alignment, we relieve strain and rebuild balanced support from the inside out.

Can I use my HSA or FSA to pay for doula or yoga services?

Yes, sometimes. While standard yoga or doula services aren’t automatically covered, many of my offerings integrate rehabilitative, therapeutic, and recovery-based care that may qualify under HSA/FSA guidelines when prescribed by a licensed provider.

If your doctor, midwife, or physical therapist provides a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) for postpartum recovery, pelvic floor rehabilitation, or pain management, your HSA/FSA funds can often be used.

I can provide detailed receipts and documentation to support your reimbursement submission.

Does insurance or Medicaid cover doula care in Colorado?

Colorado Medicaid (Health First Colorado) began covering doula services in 2024. Private insurance plans vary; some clients successfully submit claims for partial reimbursement when care is medically indicated.

What are your qualifications?

I’ve been practicing yoga for over 25 years and teaching perinatal yoga and movement for more than a decade. My training bridges ancient yogic wisdom with modern science, combining over 3,000 hours of formal education and more than 2,500 hours of classroom teaching with birthing people.

I hold certifications and advanced studies in Perinatal Corrective Exercise, Pelvic Floor Health, Functional and Somatic Movement, Biomechanics through Nutritious Movement™, Diastasis Recti Recovery, and Conscious Postpartum Caregiving through the Sacred Window Studies.

My background includes Restorative, Yin, Hatha, and Core Yoga; Meditation and Mindfulness; Karma and Bhakti Yoga; and traditional Raja (Ashtanga) Yoga. I’ve completed a pilgrimage to India for spiritual study and integration and am certified in Friends & Family CPR and Infant Safety.

With over 20 years of lived experience as a mother, I bring both professional expertise and embodied understanding to every class and client I serve.

Where are your classes and services located?

I teach in Lafayette and throughout Boulder County, Colorado, with group classes, private sessions, and in-home postpartum care. Virtual sessions are also available.

Can you offer classes in my region, I live in a mountain town etc.?

YES! If you live outside of my home base service area, we can discuss bringing a group class to you. All you need to do is assist in providing a suitable classroom space and help spread the word. These classes would be offered as a series with commitment by a minimum number of students. Terms apply to support student attendance and guarantee of exchange for services.

How do I get started?

You can browse current classes, book a private consultation, or request in-home doula support directly through my Contact page. I also offer free resources like 5 Daily Mom Moments and my Planning for Postpartum Workbook to help you begin your journey with clarity and confidence.