Respira Birth & Yoga

Birth Support & Doula Services  Integrating Yoga and Mindfulness

Need a Doula?: Starting 8/2026 Covered by MassHealth

Yoga Classes: Ages 0-100

Birth to Balance: A Mindfulness & Creative Movement Series for Pregnancy & Birth

Next Session!: 9/20-10/11/26

Apoyo de Doula en Español

Services de Doula en Français

My name is Laura Ginsberg-Peltz and I’m a doula and yoga teacher based in Western MA . I offer doula services with a focus on integrating yoga, creative movement, breath and mindfulness into my doula work. I also teach creative, playful vinyasa yoga classes and all varieties of children’s and family yoga. My children’s yoga is taught in an active, creative style that integrates mindfulness, but in no way necessitates quiet and calm from the young yogis. We build that in as it feels right, but active we are: singing, laughing, playing and getting strong and grounded in our bodies is what we do!

My practice is based in twenty five years of knowledge and practice about how to teach movement to adults and young people and how to keep your body strong and resilient throughout your life.

If you think that guided breath and mindfulness work, movement teaching and compassionate support would be helpful to you during your pregnancy and birth journey or on the mat as part of your beautiful, moving life, let’s connect!

Bienvenidas Familias ‍ ‍Welcome Families ‍ ‍Bienvenues aux Familles

Laura had the honor of attending this little one’s birth as a doula in 2010.

  • Laura’s approach to birth doula work is very much designed for you and your family. She is there to support all family members, birthers, partners, children and extended family (if needed) throughout your pregnancy, birth experience and the early days of welcoming your baby into your arms and home.

    Laura will build a relationship with you throughout your pregnancy and help you to figure out what kinds of supports you need to make this time as supported, relaxed and beautiful as it can be.

    A birth doula is not a medical provider. Laura is trained as a biirth support professional and helps you to find your voice with providers and advocate for your family to create the birth experience you want for you and your baby.

  • Yes! Laura has attended hospital births, home births, water births and Caesarean births.

    She will support you wherever you plan to birth!

  • I teach vinyasa yoga and creative movement grounded in my belief that when we are at home in our bodies, we feel more ease, joy and confidence. To me, yoga can be playful and can get you in touch with how playing in your body can help you to grow stronger. I believe that staying strong and attuned to our body’s need to move are keys to aging gracefully and more comfortably.

    My yoga teaching for adults and young people integrates yoga, creative movement and barre blend (for strength building). I also often teach to fun music that encourages us to “dance our yoga.”

    As a trained yoga teacher, my instruction is grounded in anatomy and alignment and how to keep your body safe as you play. I teach my students to learn to find the alignment in their poses through subtle adjustments that they learn to make for themselves by listening inside and following my instructions.

Respira’s Offerings

Birth Doula Services

  • 3 prenatal visits, a minimum of two in your home and one at home or virtual

  • Up to 4 weekly, half hour long video visits from 38 weeks until birth.

  • Birth support throughout labor and delivery.

  • 3 postpartum visits (one in person, one virtual and one choice)

  • Laura’s Doula services always integrate movement and mindfulness for pregnancy, connection (with a birth partner) and birth.

  • Additional movement and mindfulness support is available by signing up for a Birth to Balance Class during your pregnancy.

  • As an additional offering, Laura also offers Blessingways during pregnancy for interested families.

Birth to Balance Series: Yoga and Mindfulness for Pregnancy and Birth

Birth to Balance is a series of 3-6 weeks of classes for pregnant birthers and their birth partners (or a friend). Birth to Balance classes are based in yoga, mindfulness and creative movement positions. These unique group classes offer opportunities to learn movements, breathing exercises and concentration techniques that can help you both (you and your birth partner) during your pregnancy and your birth experience. These classes consist of activities that encourage reflection and connection with your partner and with the class community. They also teach physical and breathing exercises that are helpful for your comfort and relaxation both during your pregnancy and during your labor and birth experience.

Classes are designed to work together with a partner (pregnant mama and birth partner), but can be attended on your own with Laura supporting you as your partner during class or you can invite a friend (free of charge) to be your partner during class.

Birth to Balance provides opportunities for couples to move, connect, hear each others’ stories, learn how breathing and movement can help you during your pregnancy and labor and laugh a little (or a lot) with other pregnant families.

Birth to Balance is a taught as a three to five week long series of 1 hour and forty five minute long classes. If you are interested in joining Laura’s Birth to Balance class that starts Sunday, September 20, contact Respira.

Yoga Classes: Ages 0-100

  • Creative, Playful Vinyasa Integrating Barre Blend

  • Family Yoga

  • Parent-Baby Yoga

  • Prenatal Yoga

  • Children’s Yoga in Studios and Schools

  • Yoga and Folk Dance Birthday Parties

  • Private Yoga, Creative Movement and Strength Training Sessions

  • Private or Semi-Private (create a class with your friends) Yoga and Prenatal Yoga

Laura’s son Ezrah with his dad, Julien “Yoga Flying”

Settle into your body. Respira Birth and Yoga is focused on helping you move in the ways that help you feel strong, grounded and joyful.

Laura’s approach to both birth and yoga is filled with a love and appreciation of moving, playing, breathing, stretching and dancing.

Let’s get connected! Laura meets with anyone looking for doula services for a free first time visit to see if you’d like to have her support you through your birthing process.

Laura is taking sign ups for her Birth to Balance class that begins in mid September. Vinyasa Yoga and Family/Children’s Yoga: Sign up for two Saturdays in June: June 6 and June 13.

All classes held at the Northampton Center for the Arts at 33 Hawley Street. Please bring your own mats and yoga props. Mats optional for Children’s/Family Yoga classes.

Class Sign Up

Laura and her Family, 2011