Claire Zawa
Trained through the Mindful Birthing Foundation with Nancy Bardacke, Eluned Gold, Jennifer Averill-Moffitt and Jane Gerlach, Claire began teaching the 9-week series in the summer of 2017, adding Mind in Labor weekends in 2020.
Claire is committed to being of service to expectant and new parents through teaching these courses and in her work as a Labor Support and Postpartum Doula and administrator with Birthways Inc.
Reading Mindful Birthing in 2015 changed her life, setting her on this path which has rippled across all aspects of her life. Teaching continues to grounds and deepen her personal practice, which has included participating in the 8-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program, a daily practice and sitting retreats.
When not spending time with expect or new parents, Claire continues to explore ways to live a meaningful, compassionate life with her husband, her family and friends, and to contribute positively to the world.
Training, certification and related experience
By the Numbers
2021:
- MBCP Teacher Day-long retreat online
- Day-long retreat with Tara Brach: Radical Compassion - online with Spirit Rock
- Participated in 8-week MBSR course online
- Day-long retreat with Kazu Haga: The Dharma of Kingian Nonviolence- online with Spirit Rock
2020:
Weekend training with Oren Jay Sofer Say What You Mean: A Mindful Communication Retreat - online with Garrison Institue
- Recertified as Labor Support Doula through DONA International
- Attended All Pregnant People: Supporting Trans Birthers with Cornerstone Doula Trainings & Trystan Reese
- Attended Creating Space: Pelvic Dynamics, Fetal Positioning and Use of the Rebozo with Blossoming Bellies Wholistic Birth Services
- Day-long with Teja Bell Restoring Well-Being: Integrating Qigong and Meditation -online with Spirit Rock
2019:
- Completed Level Two training in MBCP with Mindful Birthing Foundation
- 3-Day retreat with James Baraz Awakening Joy at Cenacle Retreat Center
2018:
- Weekend training with Kristen Neff & Christopher Germer Mindful Self-Compassion Core Skills Workshop at Holy Wisdom Monastery
2017:
- Re-certification through DONA as Labor Support Doula
- Attended Survivors Giving Birth with Penny Simkin
- Began teaching MBCP
- 7-day retreat with Saki Santorelli, Florence Meleo-Meyers, Bob Stahl Convergence: A Silent Retreat Inquiring Into the Heart of Mindfulness and MBSR at Omega Institute
2016:
- Completed MBCP Level One training with Mindful Birthing Foundation
- Participated in 8-week MBSR course
- 6-day MBCP professional retreat with Nancy Bardacke & Eluned Gold at Chapin Hill, New York
2015:
- Became Care Manager at Birthways Inc.
- Attended Spinning Babies training with Tammy Ryan
2011:
- Joined Birthways Inc. as Labor Support & Postpartum Doula
2010:
- Began volunteering with Chicago Volunteer Doulas (through 2015)
2009
- DONA Labor Support Doula Training in San Franciso, CA
