It all started...with yoga! That was the first time I held the space for others' growth, and I never would have discovered aerial arts, or doula work if I hadn’t met the people yoga led me to. The teachings of yoga: staying present in your body, and in the present moment, and the tools of yoga: breath, movement, and mindfulness, are foundational to how I practice.
As much as I love both aerial arts, and yoga, aerial yoga was a natural fit for my next evolution. In the Fall of 2014, I was hired to help establish the curriculum and style of a new aerial yoga studio in Shanghai, China. For a month, I taught more than a dozen aerial and vinyasa classes a week, along with aerial conditioning, aerial restorative, and aerial dance workshops. It was an incredible learning experience that pushed me to further develop my skills as a teacher, space-holder, and supportive collaborator, and I brought those new skills back to my classes in New York. Two years later, I started teaching aerial silks classes as well, and in 2017 I began performing aerial silks, and other apparatuses professionally. Most recently, I've begun teaching lyra, and single point hammock. |
Finally,
I felt ready to become a birth doula, changing birth culture, and supporting birthing people one family at a time. I trained with DONA International, and after over a year of hard work, serving clients, and continuing education, I received my certification from DONA as well. For me, the choice to be a doula is an important part of my feminism. The oppression of birthing people is rooted in misogyny, but it’s important to remember that not only (and not all) women give birth. I support people of all genders, including none at all, all races, and all body types to take back their power, and make the choices that are right for them, and find joy in their reproductive health, prenatal care, birth experience, postpartum period, and parenting. In 2018, I combined my skills to adapt the aerial yoga hammock to provide support and greater freedom of movement to people in all stages of pregnancy and postpartum, creating prenatal and postpartum aerial yoga. Most recently, I've begun taking my passion for ethical and sustainable eating and cooking into my practice, offering cooking lessons, collaborative cooking and meal-prep sessions to my clients. I've had the honor of serving dozens of clients, and not only have I helped them all have fun at their births, I've had a pretty great time myself. :-)
I believe fun is our birthright. I want to help you have more of it, and that starts with having the perspective, and support you need to feel positive and present. I live, laugh, and love in Brooklyn and Queens with my husband, my girlfriend, two cats, a rotating cast of foster cats, and numerous plants.
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Testimonials
It's not often that a birthing experience goes more or less to plan - which was to have a natural birth at a birthing center. As luck would have it I was able to do so and Emily's sound judgment, deep knowledge of coping techniques, and calm and supportive presence was integral to that.
From our initial meeting onwards I immediately felt at ease with her and knew that her spunky and sensible personality would help get my husband and I through the marathon of birth. I was eleven days late and she checked in on me frequently - sympathizing the long slow torture of being so late and potentially being risked out of the birthing center yet still levelheaded in providing me suggestions on how to induce labor naturally.
When I finally did go into labor it was unfortunately in the middle of the night and yet she was extremely responsive, letting us know she'd come over whenever we felt like we needed her. A couple hours later I started experiencing back labor in addition to the traditional pelvic pressure. Once we shot her the YAS, HELP text, she came over right away and convinced me to try addressing the back labor by holding a series of positions for 20 minutes at a time. Staying in place for that long of a period of time while you're in labor is never fun but I trusted Emily and lo and behold the baby did resposition herself and it took the pressure off my back. Hooray!
Emily was like that throughout the rest of our experience - super helpful with suggestions but never pushy. She also had a great read on my husband and I - when I was in active labor at the hospital he really started physcially and emotionally comforting me and so Emily naturally took on a quieter role, giving us space to continue with that (which was working).
I know choosing a doula can be hard as there are so many amazing women to choose from - I would highly recommend Emily to be a part of your experience.
Karen, first-time parent
From our initial meeting onwards I immediately felt at ease with her and knew that her spunky and sensible personality would help get my husband and I through the marathon of birth. I was eleven days late and she checked in on me frequently - sympathizing the long slow torture of being so late and potentially being risked out of the birthing center yet still levelheaded in providing me suggestions on how to induce labor naturally.
When I finally did go into labor it was unfortunately in the middle of the night and yet she was extremely responsive, letting us know she'd come over whenever we felt like we needed her. A couple hours later I started experiencing back labor in addition to the traditional pelvic pressure. Once we shot her the YAS, HELP text, she came over right away and convinced me to try addressing the back labor by holding a series of positions for 20 minutes at a time. Staying in place for that long of a period of time while you're in labor is never fun but I trusted Emily and lo and behold the baby did resposition herself and it took the pressure off my back. Hooray!
Emily was like that throughout the rest of our experience - super helpful with suggestions but never pushy. She also had a great read on my husband and I - when I was in active labor at the hospital he really started physcially and emotionally comforting me and so Emily naturally took on a quieter role, giving us space to continue with that (which was working).
I know choosing a doula can be hard as there are so many amazing women to choose from - I would highly recommend Emily to be a part of your experience.
Karen, first-time parent
Our experience with Emily was EXCELLENT.
We knew we wanted to work with a doula, but we couldn't have anticipated how essential it would be to the labor, nor how infinitely grateful we would be that it was Emily specifically who was with us throughout.
We ended up laboring mostly at home and then at a hotel (there were no rooms at the hospital!). My husband and I would have been overwhelmed if not for the calm, knowledgeable and encouraging presence of Emily. Our midwife coudln't be with us at home or at the hotel so Emily was the only guiding voice we had beyond our own instincts (and while we'd done our homework and partner very well together, we are not birthing professionals!).
Emily is kind, compassionate and has a positive energy that is easy to connect to. To be honest, when we began our search we worried that a doula would feel like a third wheel in our laboring process, but Emily was in fact a crucial partner throughout. She knew how to work with my husband and I - when to take charge, when to make gentle suggestions, when to simply fade into the background for a little while. She was more than willing to take on any task we needed and happy to incorporate our thoughts and suggestions into her plans. She answered questions with confidence and specificity. She was a steadfast presence from start to finish during labor.
To anyone looking for a doula, we highly recommend hiring Emily. We're confident you'll be very happy you did!
-Bethany and Aaron, first-time parents
We knew we wanted to work with a doula, but we couldn't have anticipated how essential it would be to the labor, nor how infinitely grateful we would be that it was Emily specifically who was with us throughout.
We ended up laboring mostly at home and then at a hotel (there were no rooms at the hospital!). My husband and I would have been overwhelmed if not for the calm, knowledgeable and encouraging presence of Emily. Our midwife coudln't be with us at home or at the hotel so Emily was the only guiding voice we had beyond our own instincts (and while we'd done our homework and partner very well together, we are not birthing professionals!).
Emily is kind, compassionate and has a positive energy that is easy to connect to. To be honest, when we began our search we worried that a doula would feel like a third wheel in our laboring process, but Emily was in fact a crucial partner throughout. She knew how to work with my husband and I - when to take charge, when to make gentle suggestions, when to simply fade into the background for a little while. She was more than willing to take on any task we needed and happy to incorporate our thoughts and suggestions into her plans. She answered questions with confidence and specificity. She was a steadfast presence from start to finish during labor.
To anyone looking for a doula, we highly recommend hiring Emily. We're confident you'll be very happy you did!
-Bethany and Aaron, first-time parents
When we learned that we were pregnant with our first child we knew that the experience would be beautiful and filled with challenges at the same time. To ease some of the challenges we decided to include a doula in our team. When we met Emily the connection was immediate. She was very approachable, she expressed great empathy and demonstrated a wealth of knowledge in the field, answering our questions thoroughly and sympathetically. At the end of our meeting, we felt like we just met a beautiful person. From that moment on she made herself available always, checked on us regularly and encouraged us to ask questions so that we could set our hearts at ease. On the day of delivery, she created a much needed safe zone for me to embrace the experience of childbirth without having to explain myself to anyone around me. She made me feel safe, understood, even though I was in a place with many unknowns that everything was progressing normally. At the hospital, she communicated with everyone in the most professional yet approachable manner. During the postpartum visit, she shared my joy and listened to my worries. At the end of the visit, I felt stronger as a new mother. We consider Emily our friend and aunt to our new baby.
-Bengi and Ariel, first-time parents
-Bengi and Ariel, first-time parents
When I decided to have a doula, I reached out to a few girls that I thought had a profile fit for me and for what I wanted. Emily was the first one I interviewed and even though I still had other people to meet I knew immediately she was the one I wanted to have with me in my journey of childbirth. She is so sweet and knowledgeable, she had answers to all my questions, she kept me grounded, helped me get through my anxieties with objective solutions and the most positive attitude I’ve ever seen. Every time I had a question or a fear I would text her and she would answer right away with great insight and strong science to back her up. Unfortunately my birth plans did not go as intended, but Emily was there every step of the way, encouraging me, helping me cope with the physical and emotional distress, always with a positive attitude. I don’t think I could’ve gone through what I went through without her help. If I have another child I will definitely have her as my doula again.
-Imilla Posella, first-time mom |
"My daughter Katie recently had her first child, and decided to try a home birth. She got in contact with Emily Hursh who offers services as a doula. I was fortunate enough to be present during the labor at my daughter's home, and later at the hospital when the home birth stalled and a transition had to be made. Emily was very active and engaged through the process, first working directly with Katie in a genuine and caring way, and later actively helping to make a smooth transition to the hospital. During this time she was also quite helpful to me: explaining what was going on and keeping me informed when I wasn't present. She is an excellent communicator and very knowledgeable about birthing procedures and strategies. I would highly recommend her if you are considering a doula for the birth of your child."
-Harry Laibstain, father of Katie, first-time mom
-Harry Laibstain, father of Katie, first-time mom
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