My two passions in this world are Birth and Dance - Both celebrate female strength and wisdom. Little did I know when starting my journey in the birth profession, that I would one day be able to integrate it with my dancing career.
I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area. There I started studying different forms of ethnic dance, the strongest influences being capoeira, flamenco and Hawaiian Hula dance. When moving to Israel at age 20, I delved more deeply into Middle Eastern dance (belly dance).The fluid, sensual and rythmic movements came natural to me and felt very familiar. It wasn't long before I was performing and teaching. A few years later, I became a doula. I loved being with and supporting women during this powerful moment of bringing a new life into this world. It became clear to me that I was meant to be a midwife and that is when the journey began. I never stopped dancing throughout my nursing and midwifery training. As a doula, I knew the importance of movement during labor and I saw that women, if left to their instincts would naturally move their hips while in labor. During my midwifery training I came to understand the anatomical benefits of belly dance movements and their role in helping to cope with and encourage the progression of labor. I believe that the more a women practices the movements of bellydance she will have an easier time relaxing into them during labor. With the birth of my son Netanel, my theory was proven. I was able to relax my body and dance through and between the contractions. I had a beautiful and very empowering natural birth. It is clear to me that my calling is to integrate these two passions of mine. I hope to share with women, couples and those who support women through labor, the wisdom that I have learned.
Much love,
Malka Emanuel - Shoham
Certified Nurse Midwife
Certified Bellydance instructor with over 10 years of teaching and performing experience
http://www.myspace.com/queenemanuel
I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area. There I started studying different forms of ethnic dance, the strongest influences being capoeira, flamenco and Hawaiian Hula dance. When moving to Israel at age 20, I delved more deeply into Middle Eastern dance (belly dance).The fluid, sensual and rythmic movements came natural to me and felt very familiar. It wasn't long before I was performing and teaching. A few years later, I became a doula. I loved being with and supporting women during this powerful moment of bringing a new life into this world. It became clear to me that I was meant to be a midwife and that is when the journey began. I never stopped dancing throughout my nursing and midwifery training. As a doula, I knew the importance of movement during labor and I saw that women, if left to their instincts would naturally move their hips while in labor. During my midwifery training I came to understand the anatomical benefits of belly dance movements and their role in helping to cope with and encourage the progression of labor. I believe that the more a women practices the movements of bellydance she will have an easier time relaxing into them during labor. With the birth of my son Netanel, my theory was proven. I was able to relax my body and dance through and between the contractions. I had a beautiful and very empowering natural birth. It is clear to me that my calling is to integrate these two passions of mine. I hope to share with women, couples and those who support women through labor, the wisdom that I have learned.
Much love,
Malka Emanuel - Shoham
Certified Nurse Midwife
Certified Bellydance instructor with over 10 years of teaching and performing experience
http://www.myspace.com/queenemanuel
