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 37 yo and the lucky mom of Elijah, who brings much joy in my life and we are currently based in the countryside around Paris, in the Val d’Oise (95).
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
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:
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 SANDS “Caring 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.