PREGNANCY
CHILDBIRTH
What To Expect And When To Book
Weekly Prenatal Yoga
Nourish Your Pregnancy Journey
Embrace this transformative stage of life in our Prenatal Yoga Class. Through the mindful practice of yoga, we combine meditation, breathing techniques, positive affirmation, and gentle movement to foster a meaningful connection with your pregnant body, calm your mind, and uplift your spirit. Our classes are specifically designed to nurture your ever-changing pregnant body, equip you with useful tools for labor and birth, and provide the much-needed relaxation you deserve during pregnancy.
Mindful Movement
Gentle yoga postures and movements to release tension in the physical body, become present with body sensations, and find deep relaxation
Strength & Flexibility
Postures to strengthen the pelvic floor and abdominal muscles, as well as, positions to open the hips and pelvis
Energizing Exercises
Learn to consciously draw vital energy into your body and direct it for targeted healing and empowerment
Ashlee Sakaishi-Wilkin
BS Nutrition, Clinical Ayurvedic Specialist, Pancha Karma Specialist, CMT, Ayudoula, Labor Doula, Prenatal Yoga Instructor,
Center for Sacred Window Studies
Instructor and Mentor
Wednesdays at 6:00PM
Align Studio in Nevada City
417 Broad Street
Drop-in $10-15, paid to Ashlee
Venmo Preferred
Prepare confidently for the birth of your baby with The Nest's child birth education class. Designed to support all families, regardless of their birth plan or unique family dynamic, our comprehensive "Embracing Birth" classes are taught by experienced perinatal professionals.
We recommend attending a birthing class during your third trimester (weeks 30-35), and all bookings include the birthing parent and their partner or birth attendant.
Embracing Birth & Beyond
Currently ON HOLD
Let us know if you'd prefer a longer, 4-part series?
Gain comprehensive childbirth preparation in our courses taught by experienced professionals Shalin Butterworth, CD(DONA), and Katie DaMota, MAS, LC. Attend conveniently and safely from the comfort of your home via our Zoom classroom or join us in person at our Grass Valley classroom for personalized birth education that doesn't compromise on quality.
Childbirth Preparation
Be able to identify the stages of normal, physiologic labor & birth
Pain Management
Discuss a range of pain management options
Postpartum Planning
Thriving postpartum, mental health, and infant feeding
Stages of Labor
Identify contraction patterns, emotional signposts of labor
Birthing Positions
Identify ways to prepare the mind and body for birth
Newborn Care
Babywearing, newborn behavior & communication, sleep and bathing/body
Comfort Measures
Describe and perform natural comfort measures
Informed Consent
Describe the concepts of advocacy and informed consent
Co-Parenting
Expectations for parenting together and sharing the workload.
Embracing Birth
Two Day, Accelerated Class
Our childbirth education series includes two of our most popular classes: an accelerated Embracing Birth course combined with Comfort Skills for an Easier Labor. Taught by Shalin Butterworth, CD (DONA) & Birth Educator.
Stages of Labor
Be able to identify the stages of normal, physiologic labor & birth
Support Team
From birth attendants to family, when to get in contact
Moving Through Labor
Contraction patterns, emotional signposts of labor, and when to go to chosen birth setting.
Comfort Measures
Describe and perform natural comfort measures
Mind & Body
Identify ways to prepare the mind and body for birth.
Overcoming Barriers
Discuss how we can overcome barriers to providing comfort measures in various birth settings
Comfort Skills For An Easier Labor
Prepare for a more comfortable and confident birth experience in our Comfort Skills class. Designed for all expecting families, this hands-on workshop provides practical, natural pain relief techniques to support the birthing person physically and emotionally, whether you plan a medicated or unmedicated birth. Learn essential comfort measures, practice effective techniques, and create a supportive birthing environment.
Current Booking Dates for 2025/2026
Select the date you would like to book below. We recommend booking your class at the start of your 3rd trimester. The full course dates are listed below.
Embracing Birth: Accelerated Series
Comfort Skills Class
Beyond Birth: Newborn Essentials
Nourishing Baby & Yourself
What Our Families Say
Shalin is just such a wealth of knowledge that we could’ve been there all night with questions and learning more! I felt like the course did a great job covering such a variety of helpful information.
I feel much more confident and ready for giving birth!! And my partner feels more prepared and confident, too! I even feel excitement about sharing the labor experience with him and working together to bring our baby earth side!
My partner and I found the comfort measures class to be so helpful. Hands on is a great way to learn and it brought up a lot of good questions from my partner as well as great learning opportunities for both of us