First and foremost, it is Kate’s wish to inspire her clients to radically affirm and honor all that they embody with an open heart. With a gift for teaching to all levels and physical conditions, she loves to weave words of inspiration and spirit into her clear, direct instruction. She encourages her clients to think outside the box and look at how their physical and emotional environments shape their bodies, minds and hearts. Her teaching is alignment focussed. Alignment can be easily be confused with posture. Alignment is the way in which we can bring the various parts of our body into better relationship or conversation to each other. Kate encourages her clients to pay attention to the many ways that their actions "casts" them physically (i.e..chairs, cars etc) and emotionally/intellectually (thoughts, habits etc). Understanding the ways we move (and don't move) influence everything we do on and off the mat. While her yoga is often challenging and fun, she continually looks to influence and bring light to our everyday alignment with respect to relationships and movement.
Kate has been a long time student of yoga, having been introduced to meditation and asana by her mother at the early age of five. She received her first yoga teaching certification in 1996 in Interdisciplinary Yoga, with Don and Amba Camp-Stapleton. In 2001, Kate became certified in Anusara Yoga. She has studied in the Iyengar method, Kripalu, Astanga Vinyassa and Shiva Rea’s, Prana Yoga and Rod Stryker’s, Para Yoga. As a teacher, Kate draws her extensive knowledge from not only many teachers and styles of hatha yoga, but also from her love of anatomy and kinesiology, natural movement, acrobatics and many forms of dance. Most recently she has been studying with biomechanist, Katy Bowman of NutritiousMovement.com and received her certification in the Body Ready Method. The Body Ready Method is a comprehensive method for birth workers, that incorporates childbirth education, optimal fetal positioning and functional movements to strengthen and balance the body through pregnancy, birth and postpartum. Kate also holds a certification as a Prenatal and Postpartum Corrective Exercise Specialist. This specialized training gives her skills to help her clients with the various issues that may arise during pregnancy and the postpartum period.
Kate holds a BFA in Modern Dance from the University of New Mexico and a masters degree in Spiritual Psychology from the University of Santa Monica.
Kate's creation of Red Moon Yoga in 2004 was designed to facilitate women and girls of all ages in recognizing the wisdom and health held in tuning into their bodies and cycles. Moon gatherings, workshops and retreats offer great resources and tools for women and girls to take charge of their own fertility and deepen their understanding of their own bodies.
In 2005 Kate started her work as a birth doula. She trained with Penny Simkin and went on to become certified in the DONA method. Kate brings her years of meditation practice and training in massage therapy to her work as a doula.
Kate has also been trained as a Teen Talking Circles facilitator. Founded by Linda Wolf, Teen Talking Circles seeks to educate, inspire and empower young women and men; foster partnerships among the genders, generations and cultures; and support youth in positive self-expression and social action for a just and sustainable world. A teen talking circle gives teens a safe place to speak their truth and offers support in this time of their lives.
Kate has also trained in the RIE and Pikler approaches to caring for children. These perspectives of infant and toddler care are anchored in respectful caregiving practices and free initiated movement and values of trust, freedom and uninterrupted play. Kate loves to share these approaches with new parents and nannies.
In 2019 Kate graduated from The Potomac Massage Therapy Institute in Silver Spring, MD. Along with Swedish and therapeutic deep tissue work, Kate is certified in prenatal and postpartum massage.
Kate lives in Washington, DC with her partner Shawn, daughter Ruby and son, Otis.
RESUME/CERTIFICATIONS
1996 BFA Modern Dance University of New Mexico
1996 Certified Interdisciplinary Yoga Teacher
2001 Certified Anusara Yoga Teacher
2009 MA Spiritual Psychology University of Santa Monica
2022 MOVNAT Level 1 Training
CHILDBIRTH EDUCATION/TRAINING/CERTIFICATIONS
2005 DONA Birth Doula Training - Penny Simkin PT & Kathy McGrath
2007 ToLabor Birth Doula Training - Therese Hak-Kuhn
2010 DONA Birth Doula Training - Marilyn Hildreth
2012 Awakening The Female Pelvis - Leslie Howard
2013 VBAC & Cesarean Online Training - Gina Crosley-Cororan
2013 Breastfeeding For Doulas - Patricia Ried, PhD, RN, IBCLC
2014 Spinning Babies Workshop - Gail Tully, CPM
2012 Informed Beginnings Childbirth Education Training - Debra Lawrence
2014 Talk on Nitrous Oxide During Labor - Laura Patchin, CNM
2015 Comforting Touch for Birth Doulas - Yiska Obadia
2015 Breach Birth Basics Workshop - Gail Tully, CPM
2015 DONA Postpartum Doula Training - Jackie Kelleher
2016 Labor Support with a Rebozo - Gena Kirby
2018 Nurturing The Mother Massage Training - Claire Marie Miller
2018 When Survivors Give Birth - Penny Simkin PT
2020 Working with Doula Clients Virtually - Penny Simkin PT
2021 Body Ready Method Training for Prenatal, Labor & Postpartum Care
2022 Pregnancy & Postpartum Corrective Exercise Specialist Certification with Dr. Sarah Duvall
DOULA CLIENT TESTIMONIALS
"Kate was a calming and positive doula who allowed me to find my own way to accomplish the natural birth that I wanted. She worked well with the midwives, and she helped my husband support me. If I were having more children, I would absolutely go back to Kate.”
-- SJ
I cannot imagine having gone through labor without Kate by our side. I was a bit in denial that I was going into labor, but Kate knew when it was time for her to be there, and spent the next two days with us - a very long labor! Her presence was calming and reassuring for both me and my husband. I really appreciated how she involved him in the labor process, which was very beneficial for both of us (helping my labor progress, and keeping him busy). Kate advocated for me to switch nurses when we knew our first nurse was not creating a positive environment, and helped walk me through different decisions I needed to make as they came up. My labor progressed slowly, but Kate kept me moving and trying different positions to help move things along. She also took some amazing photos for us throughout the journey. I am truly grateful to her and would highly recommend her to any expectant mom who is looking for that additional support.
~ Natalie Diongue - November 21, 2021 birth
"Kate went with me to that primal birthing place, which was new territory for me but not for her. She spoke my language there and responded to my needs without me having to verbalize them. She was a calm, strong, comforting presence for me, my husband, and other family members during a very long labor. I am filled with gratitude for all that she did during my daughter's birth."
~ Ashley Widdell Tingstad
“The pain and effort of labor can't be described as a pleasure, and yet it was a joyful experience working with Kate to bring my son into the world. With Kate's coaching and encouragement, I moved my way through an intervention-free birth for my son. She had lots of creative suggestions about how to manage the pain and convince my reluctant baby to enter the world. I'm so glad I had that experience with him, my partner, and Kate.”
~ Carrie Callghan
“After taking yoga with Kate for years, I was so fortunate to have her serve as my doula at the birth of our daughter. I was hesitant to hire a doula the second time around, but definitely made the right decision. Every pregnancy and every delivery are different! What I needed the second time around was very different from the birth of our first child. Kate was sensitive to those needs and was immediately able to help me steer the boat in the direction of the current. Her healing, supportive touch and kind, comforting words were crucial. With skillful awareness, she was able to help me enjoy and marvel at the immensity of labor. I will always treasure my birth experience and her instrumental role. .”
~ Hannah Willman
“It was beyond amazing to have Kate as our doula during the hospital birth of our daughter. She provided the calm, supportive environment both mom and dad needed to get through a first delivery. From the minute she entered the room she had a take charge attitude which greatly relieved the burden on dad and allowed him to focus his time on supporting mom. She knew everything! We were and remain so very thankful for her presence!”
~ Amanda Glass
“Kate was an invaluable source of support during pregnancy, labour, and delivery. I experienced complications during childbirth and am grateful that Kate was with me, providing guidance, comfort, and support. I cannot imagine how I could have taken this journey without her.”
~ Amelia Peltz
"I took Kate's prenatal yoga class and was instantly drawn to her balance and wisdom. So I hired her to be our doula for the birth of my son. I am an Ob/Gyn and wanted someone who could teach me things I hadn't learned in my medical training, who could help me be balanced in pregnancy. She was knowledgeable, warm, grounding, and adaptable to the kind of pregnancy and birth experiences I aimed for. My baby was lying transverse, so despite a slew of osteopathic, yoga, acupuncture, herbal, and biomedical attempts, he would not budge, so I needed to have a cesarean section. I was so grateful to have Kate with us as she helped to make the whole c-section experience calm and family centered, massaging my feet before the surgery, ensuring immediate, unencumbered, skin to skin contact in the operating room and helping to create a nested little space under the surgical drapes for our new little family. After my baby was born, Kate was a strong presence during those tender first few days, helping with breastfeeding and my recovery. As if that wasn't enough, I have soaked up her wisdom on infant development, transition to solids, and other aspects of new parenthood. I cannot recommend Kate highly enough, which I think means a lot coming from a mama who is herself an Ob/Gyn!"
~ Carolyn Suffrin, MD
Author of Jail Care, Finding the Safety Net for Women Behind Bars
Kate has been a long time student of yoga, having been introduced to meditation and asana by her mother at the early age of five. She received her first yoga teaching certification in 1996 in Interdisciplinary Yoga, with Don and Amba Camp-Stapleton. In 2001, Kate became certified in Anusara Yoga. She has studied in the Iyengar method, Kripalu, Astanga Vinyassa and Shiva Rea’s, Prana Yoga and Rod Stryker’s, Para Yoga. As a teacher, Kate draws her extensive knowledge from not only many teachers and styles of hatha yoga, but also from her love of anatomy and kinesiology, natural movement, acrobatics and many forms of dance. Most recently she has been studying with biomechanist, Katy Bowman of NutritiousMovement.com and received her certification in the Body Ready Method. The Body Ready Method is a comprehensive method for birth workers, that incorporates childbirth education, optimal fetal positioning and functional movements to strengthen and balance the body through pregnancy, birth and postpartum. Kate also holds a certification as a Prenatal and Postpartum Corrective Exercise Specialist. This specialized training gives her skills to help her clients with the various issues that may arise during pregnancy and the postpartum period.
Kate holds a BFA in Modern Dance from the University of New Mexico and a masters degree in Spiritual Psychology from the University of Santa Monica.
Kate's creation of Red Moon Yoga in 2004 was designed to facilitate women and girls of all ages in recognizing the wisdom and health held in tuning into their bodies and cycles. Moon gatherings, workshops and retreats offer great resources and tools for women and girls to take charge of their own fertility and deepen their understanding of their own bodies.
In 2005 Kate started her work as a birth doula. She trained with Penny Simkin and went on to become certified in the DONA method. Kate brings her years of meditation practice and training in massage therapy to her work as a doula.
Kate has also been trained as a Teen Talking Circles facilitator. Founded by Linda Wolf, Teen Talking Circles seeks to educate, inspire and empower young women and men; foster partnerships among the genders, generations and cultures; and support youth in positive self-expression and social action for a just and sustainable world. A teen talking circle gives teens a safe place to speak their truth and offers support in this time of their lives.
Kate has also trained in the RIE and Pikler approaches to caring for children. These perspectives of infant and toddler care are anchored in respectful caregiving practices and free initiated movement and values of trust, freedom and uninterrupted play. Kate loves to share these approaches with new parents and nannies.
In 2019 Kate graduated from The Potomac Massage Therapy Institute in Silver Spring, MD. Along with Swedish and therapeutic deep tissue work, Kate is certified in prenatal and postpartum massage.
Kate lives in Washington, DC with her partner Shawn, daughter Ruby and son, Otis.
RESUME/CERTIFICATIONS
1996 BFA Modern Dance University of New Mexico
1996 Certified Interdisciplinary Yoga Teacher
2001 Certified Anusara Yoga Teacher
2009 MA Spiritual Psychology University of Santa Monica
2022 MOVNAT Level 1 Training
CHILDBIRTH EDUCATION/TRAINING/CERTIFICATIONS
2005 DONA Birth Doula Training - Penny Simkin PT & Kathy McGrath
2007 ToLabor Birth Doula Training - Therese Hak-Kuhn
2010 DONA Birth Doula Training - Marilyn Hildreth
2012 Awakening The Female Pelvis - Leslie Howard
2013 VBAC & Cesarean Online Training - Gina Crosley-Cororan
2013 Breastfeeding For Doulas - Patricia Ried, PhD, RN, IBCLC
2014 Spinning Babies Workshop - Gail Tully, CPM
2012 Informed Beginnings Childbirth Education Training - Debra Lawrence
2014 Talk on Nitrous Oxide During Labor - Laura Patchin, CNM
2015 Comforting Touch for Birth Doulas - Yiska Obadia
2015 Breach Birth Basics Workshop - Gail Tully, CPM
2015 DONA Postpartum Doula Training - Jackie Kelleher
2016 Labor Support with a Rebozo - Gena Kirby
2018 Nurturing The Mother Massage Training - Claire Marie Miller
2018 When Survivors Give Birth - Penny Simkin PT
2020 Working with Doula Clients Virtually - Penny Simkin PT
2021 Body Ready Method Training for Prenatal, Labor & Postpartum Care
2022 Pregnancy & Postpartum Corrective Exercise Specialist Certification with Dr. Sarah Duvall
DOULA CLIENT TESTIMONIALS
"Kate was a calming and positive doula who allowed me to find my own way to accomplish the natural birth that I wanted. She worked well with the midwives, and she helped my husband support me. If I were having more children, I would absolutely go back to Kate.”
-- SJ
I cannot imagine having gone through labor without Kate by our side. I was a bit in denial that I was going into labor, but Kate knew when it was time for her to be there, and spent the next two days with us - a very long labor! Her presence was calming and reassuring for both me and my husband. I really appreciated how she involved him in the labor process, which was very beneficial for both of us (helping my labor progress, and keeping him busy). Kate advocated for me to switch nurses when we knew our first nurse was not creating a positive environment, and helped walk me through different decisions I needed to make as they came up. My labor progressed slowly, but Kate kept me moving and trying different positions to help move things along. She also took some amazing photos for us throughout the journey. I am truly grateful to her and would highly recommend her to any expectant mom who is looking for that additional support.
~ Natalie Diongue - November 21, 2021 birth
"Kate went with me to that primal birthing place, which was new territory for me but not for her. She spoke my language there and responded to my needs without me having to verbalize them. She was a calm, strong, comforting presence for me, my husband, and other family members during a very long labor. I am filled with gratitude for all that she did during my daughter's birth."
~ Ashley Widdell Tingstad
“The pain and effort of labor can't be described as a pleasure, and yet it was a joyful experience working with Kate to bring my son into the world. With Kate's coaching and encouragement, I moved my way through an intervention-free birth for my son. She had lots of creative suggestions about how to manage the pain and convince my reluctant baby to enter the world. I'm so glad I had that experience with him, my partner, and Kate.”
~ Carrie Callghan
“After taking yoga with Kate for years, I was so fortunate to have her serve as my doula at the birth of our daughter. I was hesitant to hire a doula the second time around, but definitely made the right decision. Every pregnancy and every delivery are different! What I needed the second time around was very different from the birth of our first child. Kate was sensitive to those needs and was immediately able to help me steer the boat in the direction of the current. Her healing, supportive touch and kind, comforting words were crucial. With skillful awareness, she was able to help me enjoy and marvel at the immensity of labor. I will always treasure my birth experience and her instrumental role. .”
~ Hannah Willman
“It was beyond amazing to have Kate as our doula during the hospital birth of our daughter. She provided the calm, supportive environment both mom and dad needed to get through a first delivery. From the minute she entered the room she had a take charge attitude which greatly relieved the burden on dad and allowed him to focus his time on supporting mom. She knew everything! We were and remain so very thankful for her presence!”
~ Amanda Glass
“Kate was an invaluable source of support during pregnancy, labour, and delivery. I experienced complications during childbirth and am grateful that Kate was with me, providing guidance, comfort, and support. I cannot imagine how I could have taken this journey without her.”
~ Amelia Peltz
"I took Kate's prenatal yoga class and was instantly drawn to her balance and wisdom. So I hired her to be our doula for the birth of my son. I am an Ob/Gyn and wanted someone who could teach me things I hadn't learned in my medical training, who could help me be balanced in pregnancy. She was knowledgeable, warm, grounding, and adaptable to the kind of pregnancy and birth experiences I aimed for. My baby was lying transverse, so despite a slew of osteopathic, yoga, acupuncture, herbal, and biomedical attempts, he would not budge, so I needed to have a cesarean section. I was so grateful to have Kate with us as she helped to make the whole c-section experience calm and family centered, massaging my feet before the surgery, ensuring immediate, unencumbered, skin to skin contact in the operating room and helping to create a nested little space under the surgical drapes for our new little family. After my baby was born, Kate was a strong presence during those tender first few days, helping with breastfeeding and my recovery. As if that wasn't enough, I have soaked up her wisdom on infant development, transition to solids, and other aspects of new parenthood. I cannot recommend Kate highly enough, which I think means a lot coming from a mama who is herself an Ob/Gyn!"
~ Carolyn Suffrin, MD
Author of Jail Care, Finding the Safety Net for Women Behind Bars