Birthlight Birthing Lightly Yoga - Yoga for Maternity Professionals
Diploma - Part 2
Who is this course for?
This course is only available to holders of the Birthlight Birthing Lightly Diploma – Part 1.
Birthing Lightly Diploma
The Birthlight Birthing Lightly Diploma is the full teaching qualification recognized for purposes of insurance and professional accreditation. It has been submitted for accreditation to national and international professional boards. It can be obtained no sooner than 6 months and no later than one year after completing Part 1.
The Diploma consists of the following elements:
- Two case studies: a group case study and a one to one case study
- written assignment: one long essay or four short essays
- book review(s)
- a two-day course including a practical assessment with an external examiner. These two days must be taken together to complete the qualification.
- A completed teaching and assessing resource pack
Case studies
The group case study should follow the development of an antenatal class over six sessions. The one to one case study should follow the development of one pregnant woman or one new mother with her baby in individual sessions over a minimum of three weeks. Standard sheets are available if required.
When reporting on a class, write lesson plans, observe group dynamics over time and notice how much you are able to respond to both the group’s needs and the needs of each individual. Include as much feedback as possible from each woman. The ability of a teacher to respond to both the group and individual is something we value highly within Birthlight.
In one to one sessions, observe, make notes and write comments on the subject’s progress as well as documenting what you know about the subject’s background, home environment, medical circumstances, etc.
For both case studies, it is helpful to plan ahead what you are going to do and then assess what you have actually done, as part of the coursework process is to adjust your teaching realistically to both time and average abilities of the women or couples you care for.
Three sessions (at least one in each of your case studies) must be attended by your 'watchdog'. You can seek either a peer from your course, a yoga teacher with experience of teaching Perinatal yoga (ideally Birthlight trained but this is not an absolute requirement), a childbirth educator, a midwife or health visitor with experience of holding antenatal/postnatal classes. Watchdog report sheets are also available.
It is important that the watchdog and the instructor agree on points that are picked up during observed sessions, so that positive changes can be implemented in following sessions. Working with others in an open and constructive way is something we particularly value in Birthlight training.
Written assignments
There are two options for assignments. You may either write four short essays (of about 1000 words each) selected from the five topics listed below or select one of the topics and write a longer essay (about 5000 words - including a bibliography).
We encourage Diploma candidates to write a longer essay as we have found from experience that this is often more beneficial. If candidates have a personal area of expertise that they would rather write an essay about in relation to the course, they can submit an essay title to the course tutor. The topic will need to be approved by the tutor in writing. Support in the form of references and advice to those who choose this option may or may not be available according to their chosen topic.
However, we understand that some candidates find a long essay very daunting and prefer a diversity of topics and you will certainly not be penalised for choosing to write the shorter essays.
Assignments are carefully read and annotated. A list of the main issues and points requiring clarification, is prepared before each Diploma course and addressed on the course for the benefit of all participants. As a result, although there are common points that are always covered during the Diploma course, each course has specific contents tailored for the attendees.
Topics for coursework assignments:
- Introduce your new Antenatal and/or Postnatal Yoga classes to your local surgery or maternity hospital. Introduce yoga, yourself, and explain the benefits of yoga during pregnancy and after childbirth. Present a programme for a ten week course, outlining possible links with doctors, midwives, health visitors and other health practitioners. (Short essay option only)
- Childbirth has long-term implications in a woman's life. Explain how Yoga can help improve not only the quality of particular pregnancies but also the well being of women beyond childbirth.
- Perinatal Yoga requires an adaptation of classic yoga postures but the philosophy of yoga is well suited to the needs of pregnant women. Comment on these needs and explain how you have adapted classic postures in teaching yoga to pregnant women or new mothers or both, while using key principles of yoga.
- Yoga is movement and breath combined. Explore the benefits of deep breathing (pranayama) in Perinatal Yoga. Drawing on techniques you are familiar with and in relation to anatomy and physiology, comment on the part breathing plays and how best to teach it in held poses, movements, centering and relaxation. (For this essay you may choose to focus either on preparation for birth and labour or on the postnatal period)
Book Review
Diploma candidates are asked to write at least one relevant book review. You can choose any book which you think is of benefit to colleagues or to women in your care, or a book that has been influential in your personal development. Standard sheets are available. Book reviews are presented during the Diploma course and so benefit all participants.
Do not forget to bring your book with you to the course.
Two copies of the entire completed coursework should be submitted at least four weeks before the first day of the course, along with a photo of yourself. One copy should be electronic and the other one a hard copy. Please also keep a copy of your work yourself in case of loss. Parts of coursework cannot be submitted separately.
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