It is our joyful mission to provide a network and knowledge base for parents who want to embark on a natural journey with their growing families. Sadly, today’s parents are often bombarded with and overwhelmed by advice on how best to grow, birth, and raise their babies. Sometimes this endless advice can muddy a new or even a seasoned parents intuition. It is our belief that each baby has unique needs, and that each parent has the innate inner knowing on how best to respond to these needs. Join us for classes to equip yourself with the empowering knowledge about birth and beyond that is often not discussed in mainstream baby books and doctor’s offices.
-All classes EXCEPT workshops are held in baby/child friendly environments.
-All classes will be held at Unity Temple on the Plaza (707 W 47th St, KCMO 64112) on Fridays from 5:00-6:30, unless otherwise noted. Please gather in the main entrance lobby ten minutes before class time.
-Contact Amy Bousman at 913-624-4159 or herbsfromtheburbs@yahoo.com with any questions or to register for classes.
Class fee: $5/participant
We take a look at childhood vaccinations and ask some important questions: Do vaccinations make children healthier? Did vaccinations eliminate illness? Are the shots on the current schedule safe and effective? How can we legally avoid vaccination if we chose not to vaccinate?
Dr. Alyssa Zonarich is a prenatal & pediatric chiropractor, a doula, and a childbirth educator. She has a passion for all things pregnancy, birth, and baby related. She is married to another wonderful chiropractor, Dr. Kyle Younger, and mother to beautiful Emily Rae.
Class fee: $8/participant 9includes informative vaccination booklet)
Herbal Do’s and Don’ts for a Wholesome Pregnancy
Classes held on March 13, June 19, and September 18
Nourish your body and growing baby through nature’s pantry! Learn about herbal remedies that will help to support your expanding system. Discover which herbs are safe for specific conditions, such as congestion, allergies, colds, flu, infections, and more. Also find out which plants and oils should avoided to ensure a safe start. Amy Bousman is a community herbalist, medicinal plant grower, wild crafter, medicine maker, and first lady of Herbs from the Burbs. She is the proud mama of Salem, a home birthed, breastfed, cloth diapered, intact, non-vaccinated, worn baby boy! Amy is also the founder and organizer of Go With Your Gut Intuitive Parenting Skills.
Class fee: $10/participant or couple
Prenatal Yoga: Yoga Postures for Pregnancy and Birthing Your Baby Workshop Classes held on March 27, June 12, and September25 Your journey through pregnancy is the perfect time to experience the
benefits of yoga. This class will teach you positions for both birthing your
baby as well as common discomforts of pregnancy and post-natal healing.
Ashley will guide you in finding your innate wisdom as a mother, helping you
to achieve the birth you want for your baby. Postures are modified for each
stage of pregnancy. Ashley Walburn is the mother of 4 boys and a yoga instructor. Through yoga and breathing techniques, Ashley was able to birth her babies without any pain medication, normally. Ashley teaches prenatal yoga and mommy and baby yoga around Kansas City, guiding mothers to listen to their intuition and innate wisdom as well as strengthening their bodies, preparing them for birth and motherhood in a supportive environment. Ashley was trained in prenatal yoga by Colette Crawford at the Seattle Holistic Center. She is a 200-hour RYT and holds a Masters degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. Class fee: $10, minimum of 5 students. No yoga experience necessary, bring an exercise/yoga mat and comfortable clothes. Ashley’s contact email is Ashley@mamayoga.net
Cloth Diapering 101 Classes held on April 3, July 10, and October 2 As parents and the media discover the harmful chemicals in many of our products, today they turn to cloth diapering for more than environmental reasons. Cloth diapers have exploded in fashion and style and the possibilities are endless. Join us as we discuss the different diapering systems that are available, how they will save you money, and why they are better for your baby. Brookie-Lee is the owner of Kansas City ’s 1st Green Baby Store, Happybottomus, located in historic downtown Lee’s Summit. She started researching cloth diapers when her oldest son turned 1 year and has snowballed into the rest of the natural parenting world. Class fee: Love offering for Unity Temple
Many women have never heard of a doula, but every woman should have one! This class explains the role of a doula -- or professional labor support person -- in making labor and birth faster, easier and healthier for many mothers and babies, and in educating parents about their choices in pregnancy and birth. Also provides questions to ask a potential doula to make sure she is a good fit for you and your partner.
Angie Scharnhorst is a birth doula and childbirth educator whose goal is help families educate themselves and understand their options in childbirth. She is the 2008-2009 co-president of Doulas of Greater Kansas City, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping all women find a doula.
Class fee: Love Offering for Unity Temple
Being Born Is Important Classes held on April 17, July 24, and October 16
Everyone is born. It is a very important time in our life. Come join us for an open discussion about birth, including homebirth, birth statistics, birth choices, the physiology of birth and the overall significance and beauty of birthing instinctively.
Brenda Frankenfeld is a home loving, home birthing, home schooling midwife mama of 3 lovely children and sweetie with a home loving man. Brenda is currently offering her midwifery services in Northeastern Kansas. Visit her blog at http://plainmidwife.blogspot.com/. Class fee: $10/participant
Belly Dance Workshop Classes held on April 24, July 31, and
October 23
Belly dance is an ancient form of exercise that has been used throughout history in women’s celebrations and childbirth preparation. Please wear comfortable clothing that allows for ease of movement.
Maya Zahira is a professional belly dance artist, choreographer, educator, IFA certified fitness instructor, certified Zumba instructor, and Reiki master.
Class fee: $20/participant
Babywearing Classes held on May 1, August 7, and
October 30
Learn to safely and comfortably "wear" your baby in a sling or other soft carrier. The incredible benefits of babywearing will be included in a hands-on demonstration of the five main types of soft carriers available to parents and caregivers. Time will be included for participants to try out carriers, and troubleshooting will be provided as needed.
Kara Hansen is a licensed social worker that believes strongly in getting the word out about the many benefits of babywearing for both caregivers and infants. Kara received grant funding from the UMKC Women's Council in January of 2008 to begin providing babywearing instruction in the Kansas City area.
Class fee: $2/ participant or couple
Following Baby's Lead; Breastfeeding My Baby
***Class is held on Saturdays from 9:30-11:30 on May 9, August 15, and November 7***
The key to success in breastfeeding is achieving a perfect latch, which will lead to painless breastfeeding. How do we do that? What expectations to have in the early weeks of breastfeeding a baby? How can the type of childbirth experience you have affect breastfeeding? What are the common breastfeeding myths that can interrupt the breastfeeding relationship? Learn how to detect a problem, and how to overcome it and reach your breastfeeding goals! Also learn the basic laws of supply and demand, cluster feedings, and growth spurts.
Summer Hill, LLLL, AAHCC, CCE (Certified La Leche League Leader and Certified Childbirth Educator in The Bradley Method) is a mom to three (of course I breastfed!) boys and believes that all babies are born with an expectation and right to breast milk. She loves helping other mothers find the same joy in breastfeeding that she does! She teaches natural childbirth classes out of her home, and has had three very different and all beautiful, natural, unmedicated and intervention-free births, including under-water birth, and homebirth. She is currently working on her clinical hours towards her Board Certification in Lactation Consulting and plans to open a Lactation Center and make a career out of helping more moms and babies breastfeed successfully and joyfully!
Class fee: $10/participant (support persons encouraged to come and are free of charge).
A portion of class fee will be donated to La Leche League.
CIRCUMCISION - What Your Doctor May Not Tell You
Classes held on May 15, August 21, and November 13
This class will cover the history, beliefs, methods and attitudes of today's parents towards circumcision. In addition, it will give you the foundation for understanding the purpose and function of the foreskin and the knowledge to make a more educated decision.
Mark Wills: “As a father of two boys, it (circumcision) was a decision we were pressured to make before leaving the hospital. Falling for the myths and misinformation that circulate, we had our first son circumcised. However, before the second son was born, we educated ourselves on the subject and decided to leave him intact. Since then I have read countless books, thousands of articles, hosted booths on genital integrity and have openly spoken with parents and health care professionals.”
Class fee: Love offering for Unity Temple
Recipe for a Healthy Pregnancy Workshop
***Classes held on Fridays from 4-6 at KU Med on May 22, August 28, and November 20***
Knowing how and what to eat when you’re not pregnant is confusing enough, but can become even more so when you are pregnant. This class will help clarify any confusion and teach you how to nourish your body in preparation for the arrival of your little one. Whether you’re already expecting or planning to conceive, you will learn practical tips about how to plan healthy meals and snacks that increase your energy level, ensure appropriate weight gain, support positive well-being, and minimize foods that may be harmful to mother and baby. This class will include a fun cooking demonstration.
Lisa Markley, MS, RD, LD is the Nutrition Educator and Outpatient Dietitian for the Program in Integrative Medicine at the University of Kansas Medical Center. Lisa strongly believes that food is powerful medicine. Let her share her knowledge of nutrition and her passion for food and cooking to educate and empower you in creating a healthy, well-nourished pregnancy.
Class fee: $30; maximum class size is 15
*Please contact Amy at (913) 624-4159 or herbsfromtheburbs@yahoo.com for directions.