Birthing is the most profound initiation to spirituality
a woman can have. ~ Robin Lim
Claudia Rachel Baskind (MFA) is a writer and ritualist who
believes in the inherent wisdom of our bodies and spirits to heal, and the power
of story to transform. She has a masters degree in literature and creative
writing from the University of Iowa Writers Workshop. Claudia has worked in
social services for many years and has facilitated ecstatic dance and authentic
movement sessions, creative writing circles, and women's rituals. She sings with
the Portland Threshold Choir which honors the ancient tradition of singing with
those who are crossing life's thresholds: birth, death, and all between. She
draws her birth healing work from Peter Levine’s somatic experiencing, the grief
work of Sobonfu Some, rebirthing work, the storytelling/hero’s journey work of
mythologist Michael Meade, and her current studies of traditional midwifery.
Beth Rousseau (MA, MT-BC) is a board-certified music therapist with
a masters degreein Transpersonal Counseling Psychology from Naropa University.
In addition to her private practice, Portland Music Therapy, Beth serves as adjunct
faculty for the music therapy program at Marylhurst University. Beth believes in the
power of the creative process to affirm ourselves as unique and powerful
individuals. She crafts personalized musical activities and rituals that assist
clients in building skills and gaining insight into their own journey of healing.
Beth and Claudia first met over three years ago in a new moms breastfeeding support group
with their babes-in-arms. They came together again through the Homebirth Cesarean Project
and have joined forces to make somatic healing accessible for moms integrating their birth experiences.