Womb & Breath Sanctuary was born from my own unfolding. A season of remembering what it means to slow down, listen inward, and honor the body as sacred. Through both my personal journey and my work with mothers, I’ve witnessed how each of us is invited to meet ourselves again in new roles and new seasons of life. The strength, vulnerability, and transformation I see in these moments continually remind me of the sacredness of this work.

 

I came to understand that birth, whether of a child, a new identity, or a new chapter, is both a beginning and a letting go. Often, we are stepping into new life while quietly mourning the old one. This truth, though rarely spoken, is sacred. It’s what inspired me to create a space where women can explore these transitions with compassion, honesty, and freedom.

 

Through my personal experiences and professional training, I’ve witnessed the power of sharing our truth, especially through our birth stories. When we speak them aloud, we release shame and invite healing. I hold space for women to integrate all parts of their journey: the love, the grief, the guilt, the joy, and the uncertainty that comes with becoming and unbecoming.

 

In addition to my work through Womb & Breath Sanctuary, I serve as a Family Support Specialist in the Ithaca Community, supporting mothers in their homes throughout pregnancy and early parenthood. I have the privilege of walking beside families with children ages 0–5, offering resources, education, and emotional support as they navigate the early years. This work continually reminds me of the strength, resilience, and tenderness that live within each mother, and how vital it is for women to be seen, supported, and informed.

 

I am deeply passionate about helping mothers feel empowered by information and connected to their voice. Knowledge is a form of power. Advocacy begins with understanding our choices. That’s why I believe in creating not just one birth plan, but many possibilities. Even when the unexpected unfolds, we can still feel supported in our choices and anchored in our voice.

 

Through Full Spectrum Doula Support, Embodied Coaching, Energy Balancing, Meditation, Inner Child Healing, Natural Healing, Ayurvedic Women’s Wellness, and Postpartum Ceremony, I guide women to reconnect with their breath, intuition, and innate wisdom. This work is not about becoming someone new, it’s about remembering who you have always been.

 

When you enter the Sanctuary, you are invited to return to yourself gently, wholly, and without rush.

 

I offer deep gratitude to the women and families I have had the honor of supporting. Thank you for trusting me to walk beside you. Your strength, stories, and sacred journeys have shaped the heart of this work. I also hold deep appreciation for the teachers and wisdom keepers who have guided my path. My trainers, mentors, and the lineages through which this knowledge continues to flow.

 

A heartfelt thanks to Nikia Lawson, Dr. Shrestha, Malinda Rees, and Shannon Johns for their presence and teachings.

 

In service and support,

Ashanee Brooks