Ashley Aitken Yoga & Professional Birth Support

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Ashley Aitken Yoga & Professional Birth Support

Based in Kirkintilloch. I provide yoga classes for specific life stages from pregnancy to menopause, This class will help you to strengthen and tone.

Ostara Moon yoga is a gentle flowing hatha style yoga class which connects you to the phases of the moon to help balance hormone and provide relaxation and release. It offers deep, gentle yoga asana which honours the moon phases, earth cycles and feminine energy. This class is suitable for any age and ability and warmly welcomes beginners. Ostara Sun Yoga class is a yoga practice to stoke your inner fire and set you up for your day ahead. After gently warming the body we will move through variations on sun salutations with a gentle but dynamic flow and end with a brief relaxation. Pregnancy Yoga a beautiful class to help you keep active during pregnancy, help prepare for the birth and bond with your baby. This class offers a gentle and safe yoga practice developed especially for pregnant bodies. The yoga postures (asana) are suitable for pregnancy, prepare you for birth and can be further adapted for common pregnancy ailments. More than just a yoga class each session also provides birth education, breathing techniques for birth and deep relaxation to empower you towards a positive birth. All led by a qualified midwife, practicing doula and yoga teacher. These classes also provide a supportive community of like-minded parents to be to share your journey with. Suitable from 14 weeks pregnant. Mum & Baby Yoga offers a nurturing class for new parents with breathing techniques to calm the mind, yoga to stretch, strengthen and recharge your energy levels and relaxation to soothe. Each class includes both soothing baby massage and fun yoga suitable for little bodies, offering a special time for you and your baby to bond. Traditional yoga postures (asana) are adapted for a postnatal yoga practice which gently restores and tones the body after birth. All this in our wonderful community, with a chat and a cuppa. Suitable from 6 weeks postnatal (8-12 weeks post caesarean section depending on your recovery) until baby is mobile.

02/11/2025

✨️Something profound happens to women over 40. They become the most authentic version of themselves, blending the fiery spirit of their youth with the wisdom gathered from life experiences.

✨️This potent combination has so much to offer, yet it's often rejected for not conforming to societal expectations of beauty and silence.
As women, we undergo a deep transformation, shedding roles that no longer serve us and seeking rediscovery, self-care, and reinvention.

✨️Like birth, perimenopause is a rite of passage that demands reevaluation and surrender. It's a time for reclamation, returning to our true essence and inner goddess. To avoid this journey is to suffer; we must embrace it, feel it deeply, and emerge transformed.

✨️We will become the crones, the wise matriarchs, guiding and supporting the young and vulnerable. Not with opinion and advice, but with listening, learning, and reflection.

I feel ready, do you?

Goddess is the theme in our upcoming yoga retreat and I can"t wait 👸

23/10/2025

For those super busy days with work, parenthood and life in general when you have run out of time and energy and for the early birds that are just too tired for an evening yoga session.

Here is a gentle evening practice for when your energy is low but you want to wind down before bed.

It's also a reminder that your yoga practice can be short and sweet.

I am a night owl so I'm usually most productive in the evenings. I teach yoga classes, reply to emails, catch up with admin and my clients know they will get an instant response until at least 11.30pm at night.

But that also means I need a good routine for relaxation before I go to sleep.

When is your favourite time to practice yoga?

Like and save for later ❤️

13/10/2025

25 years!!
As I sat in my car, waiting for a meeting to start, I began thinking it will be 25 years this month since I qualified as a midwife.
25 years dedicated to supporting families through birth, a journey that has encompassed my entire adult life ❤️
Over the years, my role has adapted, but my commitment to this work has remained steadfast.
There's no greater fulfillment for me than supporting women and birthing people through the transformative journey of pregnancy, birth, and parenthood.
What makes me unique as a doula?
A broad spectrum of experience, spanning both clinical and home environments, with a nuanced understanding that balances physiological processes with the potential for complications.
My approach is characterised by my confidence, calmness and flexibility.
I humorously refer to myself as a 'mainstream doula' with my fellow doulas but this label belies my true nature. At my core, I trust the instincts and intuition of my clients, supporting their decisions and advocating for their autonomy in a world where such trust is, surprisingly, radical.

01/10/2025

✨️Lets talk Prenatal Doula Sessions.

I have had a surge in interest and bookings for prenatal support in pregnancy. From one off prenatal sessions to a full birth preparation package.
Last month was the busiest yet and next month is filling up quickly.

✨️So why are people looking for this type of support?

There is interest in support beyond standard birth education and group support.

My prenatal clients are looking for individualised support and are often navigating complex situations and choices

They are looking for support often beyond what the NHS can offer; time and space to talk things through, to fully understand their options, to feel listened to, to speak to someone without bias, to feel that their options and feelings matter.

17/09/2025

I want to share something I am working towards just now.

At the very beginning of the summer I trained in Reiki 1 & 2 with the wonderful ✨️

I am currently deepening my practice with Reiki for Birth training which will enable me to offer very specific reiki sessions during Pregnancy and the Postnatal period. I will also be able to offer reiki during births too!

From October this offering will be integrated into my birth doula services.

I will also be holding a group meditation and reiki session at my Pregnancy Retreat next month.🧘‍♀️

From mid November Pregnancy & Postnatal reiki sessions will appear for booking on my website.

In the meantime I'm hoping to get some more practice sessions in so if you fancy a free reiki session from me comment below or DM me.

Ashley 💖

05/09/2025

What it's like being a 45 year old yoga teacher....

I can't do all of the advanced yoga postures and that is okay, that not my goal. I honour by body, my cycle and my season of life. I gently challenge myself and my clients but there is no competition or end goal apart from self acceptance. If something doesn't make you feel good then don't do it. I am at an age I want to fill my life with peace and happiness.

I accept I'm imperfect and can have a laugh at myself when I get it wrong or when I say something silly. Life is too short to be serious all the time.

I am accepting my aging body and its limitations and I accept you too, come as you are, no judgement here.
We are all equal at class, I am a guide not a guru. I don't have it all figured out, in yoga or in life.

I was born the year of Gen X switched to Millenial and that means I am tech loving but shy. While I enjoy social media I don't enjoy putting myself out there!

All I am trying to do is create a space where people feel welcome and comfortable, no matter their age or the body they are in. To create a place of calm in a fast paced busy world. To offer people a path to self acceptance and peace in an often harsh world.

30/08/2025

1. START YOUR SEARCH early in your pregnancy, most birth doulas are booked up months in advance. I am usually booked when my clients are 6-12 weeks pregnant.

2.ASK FOR RECOMMENDATIONS from friends or on social media. You can also google, check out websites with a doula listings such as the 'Scottish Doula Network'. Ask on birthy Facebook groups such as 'Scottish doulas and Friends' and 'Home birth support Scotland'.

3. SPEAK TO AT LEAST 3 DOULAS, ideally meet in person. Ask yourself how you feel in their presence? Do they make you feel safe? What is their experience, birth philosophy, what type of support do they offer?

4. WHO IS MOST COMPATIBLE WITH YOU. This is personal to you and what you want from your doula and your birth. Is she respectful and supportive to the type of birth you want? Do you want someone active or passive in how she offers support and advocacy? Do you feel calm and grounded in her presence? It's not a one size fits all, there is a doula for everyone and every type of birth.

5. HOW MUCH? What is her fee and what is offered in that package? Are their optional extras such as a birth pool, holistic therapies or postnatal doula support and what is the additional cost? What is the policy if she doesn't make it to your birth? If you are on a budget, can you pay in installments?

6.CLIENT FEEDBACK. Does she have testimonials or have references from previous clients she can share or can you speak to any previous clients?

7. NOW TAKE YOUR TIME. Always sleep on it or take a few days or even a week or so to weigh up your option and decide who feels right for you. Then let your doula know.
I can happily say as a birth doula I don't mind if you dont choose me, I just want you to find the best for for you and your family. The doula world is a non competitive space ❤️

I have tagged other wonderful birth doulas covering Glasgow and beyond to help on your search 🙏

Tag an amazing doula in the comments to help others find their doula 😊
Like, Share or save for later 🌟

20/08/2025

Our Autumn Pregnancy Retreat is now open for booking at an early bird price!

Our previous attendees were asked what they would say to someone thinking of booking?
Here is what they said.....

"DO IT!!! You'll never regret taking time for yourself and connecting with your baby."

"Would highly recommend as a great way to relax but also learn about birth and postpartum."

"Defo book! I was a bit apprehensive coming on my own but everyone was so welcoming and I made a few connections which will be so fab for the future."

"Really worthwhile, nice to take time to focus on you future baby."

"Definitely do it!"

"Do it!"

"I really recommend this as the discussions with other mums and doulas is very reassuring."

Want to know more?
Find out more and book at www.ashleyaitkenyoga.co.uk/pregnancydayretreat

Thinking of joining us but not sure?
Pop any questions below or DM me 😊

11/08/2025

See what happens at our Pregnancy Day Retreats!

It's a nourishing day of connection, preparation and support with gentle movement, amazing healthy food, and deep relaxation.

Booking opens next Monday, August 18th, with an early booking discount until the 31st! 🗓️

The perfect gift for yourself, your partner, or a friend. 🎁 Want to be the first to know?
Check social media, my website (www.ashleyaitkenyoga.co.uk), or DM me! 💌
Only 10 spaces available! ✨

04/08/2025

Exciting news!! 🤩 Booking is now open for both Goddess Day Retreats!

Escape the winter blues and nurture yourself at one of my Goddess Day Retreats held in a purpose-built yoga studio at the serene Burmieston Farm and Steading in Perthshire.
Both days offer different opportunities to tap into your creativity and let go of stress.

The Saturday Retreat:
Goddess-themed yoga session, Draw Your Own Goddess Art session, a warming lunch, relaxing Sound Bath, herbal teas and snacks, and a gift to take home.

The Sunday Retreat:
Goddess-themed yoga session, Flower Crown making Session, a warming lunch, an individual 45 min Reiki treatment, herbal teas and snacks, and a gift to take home.

Both Retreat days are from 10 am until 4 pm. There are only 2 spaces available for each day so don't delay in booking your space!

In collaboration with
And .co

Read more and book via my website or DM for more information. 🧘‍♀️🎨🌸🌿🎁

24/07/2025

I recommend you prepare for postpartum.

Often overlooked as we attend to our growing pregnancy and prepare for the life changing experience of giving birth.

Modern society portrays postpartum as doing it all yourself, snapping back into shape, hosting a constant stream of visitors and being out and about with our new baby within days of giving birth.

It leaves us completely unprepared for the reality of how emotionally and physically fragile we will feel, how overwhelmed and oh so tired with a baby who often needs contact 24/7.

I promise you will thank yourself for also preparing for postpartum. Especially if birth doesn't quite go to plan.

Freeze meals, assemble your team; let people know you will need help and ask what they can offer. Have a list of phone numbers ready for breastfeeding support.

Not enough willing support around? Consider a postnatal doula, it really is a gift to your future self.

Our Pregnancy Day Retreat will include a Preparing for Postpartum workshop with but you can also access this as an online session. Super affordable postnatal prep.

Ready to gift your future self amazing postnatal support. Check out these wonderful postnatal doulas...
joyyy

If you know or had a postnatal doula, show them some love and tag them in the comments ❤️

*Photo of me nearly 20 years ago with my daughter, a tender 4 days postpartum

17/07/2025

I am home from my holiday in Croatia and ready for a busy summer!

💫As a birth doula I am back on call to support the first of 3 births over the summer. I am also supporting a prenatal client over the summer.

💫 My weekly yoga classes will run throughout the summer.

💫 This Sunday is my Reiki 2 training as I plan to bring this beautiful practice into my work as a doula and yoga teacher.

💫 Pregnancy Day Retreat is on 18th October and booking will open in August. You can read more on my website.

💫 Day Retreat spaces for our November Weekend Goddess Retreat will also open for booking in August.

💫There is also one more space left to attend for the whole weekend at our Goddess Retreat. You can read more and book via website.

If you would like to know more on any of these offerings just drop me a DM.

Address

Old Aisle Road
Kirkintilloch
G663HQ

Website

https://www.ashleyaitkenyoga.co.uk/

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Our Story

Our Yogabelles yoga for women classes are deep, flowing and gentle, incorporating aromatherapy for an indulgent yoga experience. Suitable for beginners and women frm age 14 to post menopause. Our Lunar classes can balance hormones which can be beneficial at all stages in a women life maiden, mother or crone. YogaBellies for Pregnancy classes are gentle and safe for all women and suitable for beginner or the more experienced. Each class focuses on a different aspect of pregnancy and birth. This is more than just a yoga class, but also training in deep relaxation and preparation for birth and motherhood. We practice yoga postures, suitable for pregnancy and birth, invaluable breathing techniques for pregnancy and birth and also relaxation and meditation techniques that mum can also use once baby arrives. This is so much more than a prenatal yoga class, but an opportunity to prepare mindfully for birth and meet like-minded mums. Yoga bellies for mum and baby offer a special time for you and your baby to bond. For baby, fun and stretchy yoga suitable for little bodies and for mum, gentle yoga to tone and restore your body after the birth. You will also find moments to relax and find mindfulness while caring for your wee one. All this in our wonderful community of mummies, with non judgemental support, chat and a cuppa :)