I was a professional ballet dancer for 14 years and have been practicing yoga since 1997. I’ve danced with the National Ballet of Canada, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Ballet BC, as well as many companies in New York.
I’ve been teaching yoga for over a decade and am certified in Hatha Yoga from Prana Yoga Teacher College & trained in Yin Yoga with Bernie Clark & Prenatal Yoga with Janice Clarfield.
Prenatal Yoga during my pregnancies was very beneficial and I believe my regular yoga practice, my midwives, doula and my husband played an integral role in the positive birth experiences of my two daughters.
After my home water birth of my first daughter, I was drawn into the incredible world of doula work. I took my first doula training through Douglas College in 2010, trained as a Hypnodoula, Infant Loss & Grief Training for Birth Workers, and had the honour of learning from Jessica Austin and Gloria Lemay in the Wise Woman Way of Birth. I was inspired & awed by working as a doula. I love building relationships with the expecting parents & helping create a positive birth experience. It was such an honour to share in the experience of families birthing and raising their babies.
As of 2022, I am now a Family Support worker and Program Coordinator at a Family Place in Vancouver. Over a decade of yoga and doula work, helped ignite my passion for connecting with families in my community.
Melissa Rodrigues 