As birth workers, bridging the gap between tradition and modernity starts with our own healing journeys. By connecting with our intuition and trusting the invisible world—much like the Andean midwife—we can create a safe environment for expectant mothers.
In this workshop, we’ll explore rituals and practices that can help us acknowledge our experiences, enrich our lives and empower those we serve.
Through movement and breathing techniques, we’ll learn to embody the wisdom we’re sharing, enhancing our ability to genuinely support and inspire pregnant women.
This holistic approach honors both our roots and contemporary practices, allowing us to serve families with compassion and integrity.
Details:
Date: January 12th, 9:00-16:00 (one hour lunch break, lunch can be purchased at the venue)
Location: Ayurvediskt center, Malmö
https://maps.app.goo.gl/EpUGw2DRqqKhRahL6
Investment: 1500kr
Sign up by email to: miriam.hyrkas@gmail.com payment options will be forwarded when you sign up and confirmed payment equals a confirmed spot.
For further inquiries please call Miriam Hyrkäs: (+46) 0733317613
Objectives:
Understand the cultural context of Andean midwifery.
Learn about traditional practices and techniques.
Explore Andean spirituality and holistic health in childbirth.
Discuss contemporary challenges and innovations and how we can create a bridge between traditions and modern practices
Audience:
Expectant women/couples/close family members
Healthcare professionals (midwives, nurses, doulas)
Students in midwifery or related fields
Individuals interested in cultural practices around childbirth and that may be interested in wanting to rewrite the story of their own birth
Agenda:
Opening
Session 1: Historical Context
Presentation on the history and cultural significance of Andean midwifery.
Discussion on the importance of preserving these practices (rite of passage, the ritual of death, the placenta, cuarantena, the postpartum
Session 2: What is a Ritual?
Brief explanation of rituals and their significance in Andean culture and which ones we offer in the birth house. How rituals can support transitions in life, particularly during pregnancy and postpartum
Session 3: Movement and Breathing
Session 4: Spirituality and Holistic Health
Discussion on spiritual aspects of childbirth in Andean culture (the concept of duality, reciprocity and faith/trust in the processes). Rebirth Ritual.
Session 5: Contemporary Challenges and Innovations
Closing Session
BIO - Raquel Koya
Raquel Koya Mapelli is an Italian-Peruvian Andean doula and yoga teacher living in the Cusco region of Peru. She specializes in prenatal and postpartum yoga and functional movement, focusing on the connection between body, mind, and spirit. With Quechua lineage, Raquel draws inspiration from her roots, including her grandfather, who was a midwife. For almost two years, she has been working and studying at the Ruruchay birth center in Peru, where she deepens her understanding of Andean wisdom and traditional healing practices. As a movement explorer and geek, Raquel believes in the transformative power of conscious movement in the journey to healthy motherhood. Through her work, she honors her ancestors’ traditions and shares their rich stories with future generations, fostering a deeper connection to heritage and community. Raquel is a firm supporter of traditional midwifery gatherings in Peru and has recently been nominated as the voice of Peruvian traditional midwives for Europe.
