Reason Yoga

Labour Preparation Days

Learn about the stages of labour, birth, and the unique Dutch approach. Practice evidence-based holistic pain and stress management techniques, in a non-judgmental and non-alarmist environment.

Spring & Summer Dates

Sunday 24 May 2026, 10.00 - 15.30

Sunday 12 July 2026, 10.00 - 15.30

NOTE: These sessions are still in development and the format, content and presentation might still change. Becase we are still fine-tuning and developing, the sessions in May and July are being offered at a discounted rate.

The labour prepration days  include:

• a gentle yoga practice. Please wear clothes you can move in!

• a talk covering labour, birth, and the Dutch approach.

• simple vegetarian lunch & snacks. Please note that we are not professional caterers, and food is included to make the day easier and more comfortable. If you have any concerns at all about food or dietary restrictions, please bring your own lunch or buy lunch locally!

• a workshop covering holistic pain- and stress-management techniques.

The labour prepration days are:

• evidence-based. We provide you with information about the different stages of labour, the Dutch approach to labour and birth, possible medical interventions (both elective and non-elective), and pain management options (both medical and holistic).

• non-judgmental. Want a completely medication-free birth? We will talk you through techniques to help support that. Planning or considering an epidural? We will explain the process around elective epidurals in the Netherlands, and techniques that might help support you around it.  Know that you’re having a C-Section? We’ll cover breathing techniques that may be of use to you.

• non-alarmist. We will calmly lay out the possible pros and cons of home birth, birthing-centre birth and hospital birth, to help you make an informed decision.

• realistic. Sometimes birth does not go as planned, and sometimes interventions really are necessary. We provide some information about what emergency transfers to hospital care can look like, so you can feel more informed and confident.

• inclusive. We encourage the birthing mother or person to bring their birth partner, if they have one, whether that’s a romantic partner or someone else. Have more than one birth partner? You can attend with up to two.

• practical. We talk through the more awkward logistics around giving birth that can make pain- and stress-management more challenging, including hospital transfers, not-knowing the on-call miwife, or needing to make changes to your birth plan.

• created in consultation with a midwife who currently practices in the Netherlands.

• presented by Eleanor, who has personal experience with giving birth within the Dutch healthcare system. She also has been teaching yoga since 2014, and is experienced with adapting yoga-based techniques (including breath-work, meditation, positions and movement) for stress and pain management.

• in English. Eleanor speaks good Dutch, and some useful terms in Dutch will be discussed.