Get to know me

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Hello! My name is Amélie which comes from the root word ‘Amal’ that means energy and effort.

I grew up in France, was raised by a South African mom and have lived many years in Australia before landing again recently in the suburbs of Paris (in the midst of a global pandemic you might have heard of!). This melting pot of cultures gave me a profound love and curiosity for the diversity in people’s ideas, cultures, lives and opinions that make each one of us so unique and interesting.

I am passionate about health, sustainability and reducing the footprint on our planet. I truly believe we can all make a difference, one small action at a time!

I am 38 yo and the lucky (solo) mom of my firecracker toddler Elijah, who brings much joy in my life. We are currently based in the countryside around Paris, in the Val d’Oise (95) but will be moving to Brittany region in March 2023.

I became a Doula and Prenatal Yoga Teacher to “be the change I wish to see in the world”. I am passionate about working with fellow humans and believe birth and parenting are gateways (opportunities) for us to access a higher level of consciousness and awareness and by supporting that growth, you can truly change society. I want to support children entering the world too. As French OB Michel Odent says “To change the world, we must first change the way babies are being born.” It is a deep honour to be able to share this powerful and intimate time and witness the sacredness of birth.

Coming back home

After a decade working in sport marketing, and living a rat’s life in busy cities, I discovered Buddhism and Yoga and flipped my world on its head.. It felt like I was finally “back home”, in tune with my Dharma, my life’s purpose and connecting to my childhood dream of making the world a better place!

Yoga & Meditation

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I started studying Buddhism in 2015 with my beloved teacher Dharmagatu, at the Sydney Buddhist Centre where I also launched a free community yoga class open to all on Sunday mornings.

I completed my first 200h yoga training with Sukha Mukha Studio in Bronte and rapidly decided to focus on inclusive yoga, offering a diverse,  body positive, non-dogmatic, nurturing and encouraging environment and making yoga accessible to all.

I am a Registered Prenatal Yoga Teacher (RPYT®) and Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT®) with the professional association Yoga Alliance (International) and Level 1 Teacher with Yoga Australia (national).

I completed my Level 1 Yin Yoga Training with Bondi TCM practitioner Truth Robinson (we hold postures longer in Yin, working with the connective tissues and fascia).

I teach regular group classes in studios (currently Studio Arise in Chatswood) and with private students but also volunteer in the community whenever I can.

I have studied Nutrition, Aromatherapy (Essential Oils) and Ayurveda that is the traditional Hindu system of medicine which is based on the idea that health and wellness depend on a delicate balance between the mind, body, and spirit and uses food, herbs and spices as well as everyday practices & routines. I integrate this knowledge globally in my practice as a Yoga teacher and a Doula.

Supporting childbirth & parenthood

When the Australian Doula College (ADC) launched a face-to-face training with its founder Renee Adair in conjunction with the renowned Jivamukti and Prenatal Yoga teacher, Katie Manitsas, I jumped on the occasion. For the first time in Australia, it offered the combination of a full Doula Certification with a Prenatal Yoga Teacher Training. The ADC offers the most comprehensive, only peer-reviewed Doula Training in Australia, that is also now government accredited, a first worldwide!

In 2018, I started a more ‘social’ Doula role, with the ADC’s Groundwork Program which works in collaboration with Family and Community Services NSW, offering individualised home education and support service to families. Our target group is at-risk parents up to the age of 25 years old, pregnant or parenting a baby/child up to the age of 2 years old. Click HERE for more information on the initiative. It has been an incredibly humbling and life-changing experience to work with these vulnerable families.

Also, after assisting Nadine Richardson on several SheBirths® childbirth education courses and being part of their list of recommended Doulas, I got the amazing opportunity in 2019 to work directly with the SheBirths®  team as coordinator for the Doula Program.  I match expectant families with our incredible team of over 40 doulas.

I volunteered as the social media coordinator for the not-for-profit organisation Homebirth NSW,  supporting homebirth families and increasing access to homebirth services in New South Wales.

Continuous education is key as a Doula and I have been lucky enough to be able to attend several incredible workshops with worldwide birth keepers:

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I attended two workshops led by Ginny Phang-Davey from Singapore including a Spinning Babies® workshop and an Optimal Maternal Positioning workshop.

I attended an incredible workshop with Debra Pascali-Bonaro, Director of the award-winning documentary “Orgasmic Birth: The Best-Kept Secret” which is NOT about getting an orgasm during birth haha but explores the intimate, sensorial and sacred nature of birth!

I went to the legendary Jane Hardwicke-Collings for her Shamanic Pregnancy and Birth Workshop (School of Shamanic Womancraft) to bring back the focus on honouring this transformative rite of passage in a woman’s life.

I attended a  Rebozo, Acupressure and Aromatherapy Masterclass with the ADC founder Renee Adair to add more tools to my birthing bag.

I took the SANDSCaring for Bereaved Parents” course and studying to become a certified SBD Birth & Bereavement Doula® with Heidi Faith from Stillbirthday.

In 2019, I also took up a new challenge, going back to school to study a Counselling Diploma with the AIPC (Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors), specialising to become a perinatal counsellor.

In 2021, after arriving in France, I took the Doula Ethics & Framework 2-day course with the organisation Doulas de France. Oh and also started my doula business again from cratch + had a baby ! Oh it that why life gets so busy ?! 😉

Amélie is an incredible person with such a gift, she was born to be a doula.

She is kind, nurturing, and so very supportive. If you have the opportunity to work with her, I highly suggest you do. She is so knowledgeable in all things birth and postpartum, and she really works hard to help meet the needs of each individual. Read More “Amélie is an incredible person with such a gift, she was born to be a doula.”

Payton Brock, Luke Fischer & baby Ford, Maternité de Nanterre, France

Amélie is a wealth of knowledge, shows great empathy and will make you feel very at ease

Amélie made us feel very empowered, equipped and ready for our birth with all preparations and tools she shared with us. Having just moved to Paris from Australia we were very thankful to find such a caring bilingual, bi-cultural doula. Read More “Amélie is a wealth of knowledge, shows great empathy and will make you feel very at ease”

Emily and Emmanuel Hastings & baby Oslo, Clinique Jeanne d'Arc, Paris, France

She coached me through one of the most challenging moments of my life.

In the end my labour didn’t progress and I ended up having to have a C-Section, an outcome I had not prepared for. Amélie gave us a crash course on what to expect and told us of all the questions we could ask the OB ensuring we were advocating for ourselves. Because of Amélie’s great advice we ended up having a beautiful C-section experience. Read More “She coached me through one of the most challenging moments of my life.”

Justina Gill & Philip Kean, Sydney, Australie

Result : a fantastic birth !

Having Amelie by our side during pregnancy and birth was one of our best decisions ! So much gentleness, energy, empathy and most of all, so much knowledge on the before/during/after that were so useful to prepare us to welcome our baby girl in the best way possible. Read More “Result : a fantastic birth !”

Elodie, Seb & baby Lou, Dee-Why, Australie 

her gentleness, her energy and her deep knowledge made me feel very safe

This second birth was a planned homebirth and I had a quick labour. Amélie held the space for us, with her feminine, uplifting, nurturing and reassuring presence. Her gentleness, her energy and her deep knowledge made me feel very safe. Read More “her gentleness, her energy and her deep knowledge made me feel very safe”

Emmanuelle David et baby Marin, Accouchement à Domicile, Bondi, Australie

she knew exactly when to get involved and when to leave us to it

Amelie’s presence was totally invaluable. I don’t think my labour would have been so successful if she wasn’t there. She knew exactly when to get involved and when to leave us to it […] She was the one person who stayed with us throughout the entire labour while midwifes changed shifts. Read More “she knew exactly when to get involved and when to leave us to it”

Ana Joselyn De Aguiar, Mascot

such an integral part of our birth plan

I never thought having Amelie as our doula was going to be such an integral part of our birth plan. She was there with us every step of the way and as a new father she supported me effortlessly… Read More “such an integral part of our birth plan”

Henk (dad), Bondi

above and beyond what was expected

Amelie played an essential and supportive role in my pregnancy and was present for the amazing birth of our son […] She was by my side giving me confidence, helping me push through the stages of labour (all 50 hours of it!) Read More “above and beyond what was expected”

Khanh, Bondi
Pregnancy & Labour Support

completely present

She was completely present for my labor and supported me physically and emotionally in her compassionate way. I can’t thank her or sing her praises highly enough … Read More “completely present”

Kate Gooden, Five Docks
Pregnancy & Labour Support

her presence and actions were instrumental

Amelie never faltered and even when she wasn’t saying anything, her presence and actions were instrumental in getting me through to the end. She will always be a big part in our memories of that time … Read More “her presence and actions were instrumental”

Natalie Fatakia, Pymble
Pregnancy & Labour Support, Prenatal Yoga

taught me how to focus my energy

I was a beginner and I was not sure if yoga was the right thing for me but Amelie was really patient and professional to teach me everything about it, she is a person with an extensive knowledge … Read More “taught me how to focus my energy”

Gonzalo Zabaleta, Dee-Why
Yoga

a heart opening approach

I really love Amelie’s classes. She has a heart opening approach to the way she teaches. Her classes integrate vinyasa flow with alignment and meditation which cater to all levels, always offering different options to suit everyone … Read More “a heart opening approach”

Mariam Nakhal, Randwick
Yoga

warm, caring and gentle

I liked Amelie right from the start. She was so warm, caring and gentle. She really went that extra mile with making sure I was looking after myself and encouraging me to have some “me-time”. She cooked nutritious wholesome meals … Read More “warm, caring and gentle”

Juliana R, Eastlakes
Postpartum Support

really helped create my ideal birth

Having a doula accompany me through the birth of my baby girl was absolutely the best decision I made. And Amelie is an ideal companion, support, educator and coach for the birth process … Read More “really helped create my ideal birth”

Jo Savill, Wollstonecraft
Pregnancy & Labour Support