A special gathering for mamas-to-be and new mamas — held by Lidewij, Manda or Ombretta – yoga teachers and doulas
Pregnancy and early motherhood are times of profound transformation – physically, mentally, emotionally. They can also be times when you feel a little alone with it all, even surrounded by people. This circle exists so you don’t have to be.
Roughly every other month, we come together in the studio to sit, share, breathe and listen. Whether you’re carrying your first baby, your third, or you’re in the tender weeks and months after birth, you are welcome here exactly as you are.
What to expect
Each circle lasts 75 mins and follows a gentle rhythm:
- We land with gentle somatic practices that help us ground into our body
- As the circle opens each mama shares where she is, in her own words and her own time
- Each theme is shaped by our own experience, as women that sit together
- The space is open space for questions, birth stories, and real talk. Nothing is too small or too much
- We close with a gentle relaxation, nourishment, tea together
A safe space
This is a circle, not a classroom. What is shared here stays here. There is no advice-giving unless it’s asked for, no fixing, no comparing, no right way to do any of this. Just three women who have held many births, and a room full of mamas holding each other.
We keep the group intimate, so everyone has room to speak – and equally, room to simply be present and listen.
Open to pregnant mamas at any stage and postpartum mamas (babies in arms are always welcome).
No yoga experience needed. Come as you are. Come with your bump, your baby, your questions, your tears, your joy. This is your circle. We look forward to welcoming you in.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
DATES | SUNDAY 13th September from 16:00 to 17:15 with Manda
OR SUNDAY 18th October from 16:00 to 17:15 with Ombretta
OR SUNDAY 8th November from 16:00 to 17:15 with Lidewij
LOCATION | Yoga Circle, Anjeliersstraat 35, Amsterdam
PRICES | Regular class fees, you can use any of our pricing option to book this special class.
Also included in the Prenatal Card. Single class price €20.
REGISTRATION | You can book this special class via the regular schedule.
ABOUT THE TEACHERS
MANDA O’LEARY 
Manda creates a safe space to enter, allowing you to fully let go so you can also fully embrace this special phase of life.
Allowing deeper connection and trust to come through.
It is a true passion of hers to support other woman’s transition into motherhood.
She tunes into her own inner wisdom and experience to guide and add extra support along the way.
Manda started practicing and studying yoga 16 years ago. It was the moment she became pregnant that she was deeply touched to share more. Giving birth to new life was true inspiration. As motherhood became her most impactful form of a spiritual practice.
When she is not in the studio, she is enjoying life and motherhood at it’s fullest. Embracing all the elements and being open to the flow of it all.
OMBRETTA DETTORI 
Ombretta teaches Ashtanga (Mysore and Led), Prenatal and Therapy.
She holds a space that is receptive, inclusive and non judgemental; she encourages an open dialogue with her students so that the practice of yoga can be at the service of the individual, in that very moment. In her classes she draws from her multifaceted background: yoga therapy, ayurveda, psychology, birth and postpartum doula, as needed.
Ombretta took her first Ashtanga Yoga class in 2013 and she has been practicing with growing dedication since. In 2015 she undertook her first journey to Mysore, India, where she learned the primary series under the guidance of Saraswathi Jois. Sharath Jois, Luke Jordan, Gregor Mahele and Monica Gauci have been among others, inspiring and encouraging her practice. She is passionate of self inquiry, conscious relating, shamanism and archetypal work; she studied extensively Ayurveda and Yoga Therapy.
When not teaching or practicing yoga, she immerses herself in experiences meant to expand her connection to Life, the Self and Others: she especially loves sharing different containers outside the yoga world with her loved ones.
LIDEWIJ SEVERINS 
At a very young age, Lidewij was introduced to yoga and meditation through her mother. After a few years of practicing Iyengar Yoga, she fell in love with the Ashtanga Yoga practice, mainly influenced by her teacher Petri Raïsanen, whom she continues to practice with and assists on a regular basis. To balance the Yang, her Yin practice helps her to find a sense of deep relaxation and openness, both physically and mentally.
Her daily asana and meditation practice is a journey to her true self with her mat as her mirror, helping her to reflect and find peace and stillness within. She teaches with softness, care, and personal attention and hopes to inspire others to take their yoga practices with them off the mat and live a conscious and loving life.
After becoming a mother and, a few months later, losing her father, Lidewij developed an interest in Family Constellations and Systemic work. Her journey into motherhood was the biggest transformation. The home births of her three kinds were truly empowering events, that she wishes for every woman to experience birth in such a way. She therefore trained to become a doula and support parents in their journey of welcoming their babies into this world. She stresses the importance of supporting the new parent and offers postpartum treatments and Rebozo Closing Rituals.
To find out more about Lidewij please visit her website.
