Jenny

I’ve been working with natural birth for over 35 years, supporting women through pregnancy, birth and early parenting in South East Queensland, Australia. I have been informed and inspired by the mothers and families I have had the privilege to serve; by ongoing trainings in bodywork and touch; by Buddhist philosophy and psychology; and by our precious existence on our precious planet.

I describe myself as an independent birth educator, bodyworker and birthworker. I offer private bodywork consultations in pregnancy and post birth for those who have extraordinary or chronic pelvic discomforts, or who are simply curious or motivated toward realising physiological potential or healing from previous experiences. The bodywork is gentle and addresses tensions, restrictions and imbalances in the external and internal pelvic space. I also offer private birth preparation sessions.

I have been facilitating Birthwork Workshops since 2000. These wisdom-in-action workshops explore the many facets of working with birth. They also promote the reality of peaceful and compassionate birth through growing self-awareness and skills.

Since 2005 I have been teaching Birthwork – Creative Ways of Making Space for Babies Workshops with the wonderful Fiona Hallinan. We love passing on what has been invaluable to us. We enjoy the immensely rewarding dynamic created by having a mix of professionals and parents interacting, touching, and communicating with each other.

Much of my work is informed by the principles and techniques of Ortho-Bionomy, a bodywork modality founded in the 1970s, and to which I was introduced in the 1990s. I am immensely grateful to the Ortho-Bionomy community and ongoing training support.

In 2019 I became a Spinning Babies® Approved Trainer which means I am part of the Spinning Babies® Team and can teach Spinning Babies® Workshops anywhere in the world. I am also a Spinning Babies® Aware Practitioner Trainer, which offers advanced body-focussed skills to Birth Professionals and enables them to be Spinning Babies Aware regarding care in pregnancy.

In 2022, in collaboration with Fiona Hallinan and Andrea Lopez, we created the Internal Pelvic Release Work Mentorship Programme, and began teaching to care-providers involved in women’s health, particularly pelvic health. This body of work is based on the collective experiences of having specialised for many years in working with those who have pelvic discomforts and dilemmas.

With filmmaker Alieta Belle, I have co-created 2 films about natural birth called The Big Stretch & The Big Stretch Sequel. And I have also created a film called A World of Birthworkers, exploring how traditional birthworkers from different countries around the world come to be in service to the birth givers in their communities. I have also written 2 books on natural birth – Birthwork and The Down to Earth Birth Book, and a manual about touch and creative bodywork for birthwork – Creating Amazing Space in the Female Pelvis.

Since 2016 I have been project co-ordinator for Lao Birthwork, teaching hands-on and emergency skills to health staff in remote areas of Northern Laos.

Otherwise, I live a quiet life in the bush on Butchulla country with my life partner Warren. We have 3 wonderful grown children and are grandparents.

Podcast link:

A Well of Wisdom Birth Work and Pelvic Health with Jenny Blyth

Midwives of the Apocalypse II

Birthwork Jenny Blyth’s Journeys-Birth in the 80’s Liberated Hospital and Home Births

Alieta

After the awesome birth my first child, I was inspired to make a creative Birth Film, centred around sharing the core insights women receive as they experience pregnancy and birth.  I remember a woman telling me that she didn’t experience birthing as ‘pain’ but as a ‘nice stretch’ and hence the title of the film(s) was born… ‘The Big Stretch’ speaks of how we can transform perceived ideas of birth, share our experiences and find avenues that inspire and encourage satisfying birth experiences. It has been a fantastic journey working with Jenny Blyth to create these two films over many years. A strong part of my creative energy is spent being the mother of 3 beautiful children!

I have a background in Visual Arts and teaching Arts, and over 20 years experience producing digital video and editing projects. My focus has been to create projects with intrinsic cultural value.

I believe the Big Stretch and Big Stretch Sequel (co-created with Jenny Blyth) are both works of art and a valuable offering to the world.

Steffi Arvanitakis

I have been working with Birth, Bodies and Ceremonial Facilitation for over 25 years.

My education has been rich and diverse, and includes many years of cherished mentoring, traditional cross-cultural teachings and precious time with Elders On Country.

I have been a proud member of The Birthwork Community for over 20 years which has significantly guided and nourished the foundation of my work.

I hold great respect for the significance of kind and respectful touch and creating space for our bodies to unwind, regulate and resource their innate potential for healing and repair.

I work with people of all genders and ages, addressing an array of different needs pertaining to wellbeing and pelvic health through all life experiences. As a Doula, Childbirth Educator and Bodyworker, I support birthing people and families through Pre-Conception, Pregnancy, Birth and Postpartum. I also facilitate circles and ceremony to suit the needs of different life transitions, including bereavement.

I am a member of the Laos Birthwork Team, and the founder of The Healing Project which Co – Designs Culturally Guided Wellbeing and Healing services for remote and urban First Nations Communities.

I am a mother of 3 wonderful children and live on Wurundjeri Country in Victoria.

I acknowledge The Traditional People of the lands and waters that I live and work upon and pay my respect to their Elders, past, present and emerging.