In a past post, I have outlined the role of the yoga therapist and in this post, I wanted to outline the crossover between the role of a death doula and the yoga therapist.
What is a death doula? The word “doula” is Greek for helper. Birth doulas, for example, are known in their work supporting /helping women during their labour process and so a death doula supports/helps a person through the dying process. The support is specific to the person’s needs, beliefs and desires–it is very individual.
As a yoga therapist, I guide people how to be in their bodies–how to breathe through discomfort, find stillness in chaos and find the ability to heal. As a death doula, I support people as they leave their bodies, helping them navigate fear, make peace with their stories and support their death with dignity and grace. Ultimately, my job as a yoga therapist and a death doula is to hold space, to listen and to remind people that they are not alone. Sometimes this can be done with simple breath awareness, guided visualization, honoring rituals, and silent meditation. I also offer practical support–helping to organize legacy projects, facilitate conversations around grief and bereavement, and look at death plans.
We often avoid talking about death and my dual role serves as quiet rebellion-that death is not the opposite of life but part of it. The ending can be just as sacred as the beginning.
To walk with people through both healing and dying is a profound priviledge weaving the breath of life with the breath of death. If you would like to learn more about my services as a death doula (candidate) in connection to my yoga therapy, please pop me a message.
May you be well, may you be at ease, and may you find peace in your body and heart. Michelle
The End of Life Doula Association of Canada can be found here if you want to find more information: https://endoflifedoulaassociation.org/
Westcoast Duck Yoga 
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