08: Holistic Healing Through Pregnancy and Motherhood with Ashley Andrews

This week, Diane is joined by Ashley Andrews, an Integrative Nutrition & Holistic Health Coach, Yoga Instructor and Reiki Practitioner, who shares her inspiring journey into motherhood and the transformative practices that have guided her along the way. From navigating unexpected pregnancy and birth experiences to discovering the power of integrative nutrition, Reiki, and intuitive movement, Ashley's story is a testament to the resilience and wisdom that can emerge from life's twists and turns. What We Cover: Ashley's path to pregnancy, including a miscarriage and the conception of her son Kai Her plans for a home birth or birth center delivery, and the unexpected turn of events that led to a hospital C-section with her daughter Mia The emotional process of grieving the birth experiences she envisioned and finding beauty in the unexpected Ashley's early introduction to yoga and holistic healing, and how those practices evolved through her world travels and studies in France, India, and Integrative Nutrition The principles of Integrative Nutrition and how nourishing the whole self - relationships, career, creativity, and spirituality - can impact physical health Ashley's personal journey with food, movement, and intuitive guidance during pregnancy and postpartum Strategies for postpartum rehabilitation and balancing motherhood, career, and self-care Advice for mothers facing unexpected birth outcomes, and the importance of emotional processing and community support Resources for exploring Reiki, intuitive nutrition, and virtual wellness sessions with Ashley Meet Ashley: Ashley is an Integrative Nutrition & Holistic Health Coach, Yoga Instructor and Reiki Practitioner based in The Lehigh Valley. She began practicing Vinyasa when she was 14 years old and realized, “yoga is as much for the mind & soul as it is the body.”  A few years later, Ashley discovered the universal law of attraction, began researching metaphysics and started teaching yoga classes while studying Mass Communications and Marketing at Bloomsburg University in Pennsylvania. At 19, she had her first Reiki session and understood the profound healing potential in energy work. That same month, she followed her inspiration and left to study abroad in Europe, where she lived for 3+ years and earned her Masters Degree in International Business Development at IPAG Business School in France.  After finishing grad school in 2018, Ashley traveled to Goa, India, where she completed her first 500 hours of Yoga Teacher Training in the styles of Ashtanga, Vinyasa, Hatha and Yin. In 2019, she received her Reiki L1 certification and became the Mind & Body Coordinator of a large health & wellness center in Allentown, PA. The following year, Ashley graduated from The Institute of Integrative Nutrition (IIN) in New York, New York. She has since been attuned to the Master Level of Reiki and completed 15 hours of Kundalini Yoga Teacher Training through Tribe Yoga in Fogelsville, PA.  Today, Ashley sees clients both online and offline in Full Circle Studio at Three Circles Therapeutics (New Tripoli, Pennsylvania). She blends the tools and practices she’s learned and used over the years for self healing to assist others along their journeys of transformation. Ashley is a new mom to her son, Kai, and daughter, Mia. She enjoys spending time in nature with her family (which includes two Australian Shepards), getting out in the community, sourdough baking and various forms of art.  Connect with Ashley: https://www.valleymamma.com/ https://www.instagram.com/valleymamma Connect with us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.midwife.life.co/ Website: themidwifelife.co Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Midwife-LifeCo/61559303575840/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/themidwifelife/ Join the Conversation: If you loved this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your friends!