Hello, Im Maria
I am a qualified and recognised Doula and Yoga teacher with a passion and purpose to support and guide women before, during and after their pregnancy; assisting and honouring the process of matrescence. I believe mothers too need to be held, and it is my honour to be able to do so, enabling them to embrace their journey with confidence, power and knowledge.
I am blessed to be a mother to two beautiful boys and want to share the learning from my experiences for women to connect with their babies, honour their bodies, and above all, feel empowered to let go and trust in the process.
My Services
Doula
I have the privilege of supporting women through their birthing journey and during their postnatal period, providing quality care to both Mum and baby, at a time when having support makes a world of difference. My offerings are flexible, designed to suit your choices, providing comfort, safety and advocacy.
Retreats
In collaboration with expert guests, including qualified midwives and therapists, I co-host a variety of retreats aimed to inspire, nourish, connect and guide. With a range of carefully designed agendas, from confidence in birthing to honoring Matrescence, thereβs a retreat for everyone.
Yoga
I teach Hatha, Pregnancy Yoga and a Mother & Baby yoga circle, weekly at the Holistic Hub in Copthorne. It is a joy to provide a safe-haven of calm and tranquility away from the pressures of everyday life. I also offer 1-1 private lessons at a location of your choice.
Doula
I have the privilege of supporting women through their birthing journey and during their postnatal period, providing quality care to both Mum and baby, at a time when having support makes a world of difference. My offerings are flexible, designed to suit your choices, providing comfort, safety and advocacy.
Retreats
In collaboration with expert guests, including qualified midwives and therapists, I co-host a variety of retreats aimed to inspire, nourish, connect and guide. With a range of carefully designed agendas, from confidence in birthing to honoring Matrescence, thereβs a retreat for everyone.
Yoga
I teach Hatha, Pregnancy Yoga and a Mother & Baby yoga circle, weekly at the Holistic Hub in Copthorne. It is a joy to provide a safe-haven of calm and tranquility away from the pressures of everyday life. I also offer 1-1 private lessons at a location of your choice.
Pachamama Resources
I know first hand just how lonely that postpartum period can be and how having something to get out of the house for can make a world of difference. So, through years of collecting baby and toddler groups around Crawley, Horley, Horsham and surrounding areas, I have created this extensive list of things to do. Click below for your handy guide to the week.
Doula in Crawley, East Grinstead & surrounding areas
I truly believe that all birth is beautiful; be it a hospital birth or a homebirth, it is my duty as a doula to honour your desires and guide you in whatβs best for you and your family. I know just how important the day you birth your baby will be and I am passionate about doing my upmost to ensure that you feel empowered, confident and held throughout your journey.
I will be your trusted and compassionate supporter, your female companion and confidant who will always have your back, should you need it.
As your doula, I will…
Locations I cover are: Crawley, Copthorne, Horley, Reigate, Redhill, Dorking, Horsham, East Grinstead, Forest Row, Southwater, Billingshurst, Brighton, Hove, Lingfield, Haywards Heath, Uckfield, Burgess Hill, Epsom, Lewes, Oxted.
βMaria brought such a calming, positive presence at the birth. Her encouragement and tips made all the difference during the more challenging moments. I truly couldn’t have asked for a more supportive partner on this journey and believe that I wouldn’t have had such a positive birth if it wasn’t for Maria.β
LAURA, DOULA CLIENT
Yoga Classes in Crawley
Yoga has been a part of my life ever since I became a young adult, it has held me and nurtured me through each rite of passage. In 2019, with a 1 year old in tow, I began my yoga teacher journey, graduating mid pandemic.
I continued to then specialise in pre and postnatal yoga, whilst pregnant with my second child. Practising yoga whilst pregnant both times gave me a deeper connection with my baby and the transition I was going through. Since then, I have had the joy of witnessing other mothers find that same connection.
I currently teach a mix of gentle Hatha, Pregnancy Yoga and Postnatal yoga classes weekly at the Parish Hub in Copthorne close to Horley, Crawley and East Grinstead. A safe-haven of calm and tranquility away from the pressures of everyday life.
I also offer 1-1 private lessons at a location of your choice.
βI love doing yoga with Maria. She pushes me enough to feel challenged but her classes are great for beginners too, where you donβt feel out of your depthβ
AMY, HATHA YOGA CLIENT
Pregnancy and Motherhood Retreats
In collaboration with expert guests, including qualified midwives and therapists, I co-host a variety of retreats across West Sussex.
For thousands of years, women have been gathering in circles, inspiring, nourishing and connecting with one another. With a range of carefully designed agendas, my retreats aim to do just this.
See upcoming retreats listed below or head to my retreats page to find out more.
Confident Birthing Pregnancy Retreat
Sunday 17th May 2026, 10:30am til 4:30pm
Whether it be your first or your fourth child, we want to celebrate and honour the journey you have ahead of you. Regardless of how you may be planning to birth, this retreat is designed to make you feel confident and for you to move into your birth feeling calm, relaxed and empowered.
This experience will include:
β’ Prenatal yoga β’ Midwife led confident birthing workshop β’ Birth vision board creation β’ Ceremonial Cacao β’ Hypnobirthing Breathwork β’ Shamanic Drumming β’ Nutritious seasonal lunch β’ Take home goody bag β’
Suitable for women from all stages of pregnancy, share the joys and challenges of your journey with a day full of nourishment, connection and peace.
βA remarkable and one of a kind pregnancy retreat. I left feeling empowered, knowledgeable, and extremely self assured following the experienceβ
JESSICA, RETREAT GUEST
Recent Reviews on Google
Because of the uncertainty, we decided to hire a doula so we could have consistent support and someone to help us advocate for ourselves if our birth plans changed.
From the moment we met Maria, we knew she was the perfect fit! She has such a calming presence and is genuinely one of the loveliest, most caring people youβll meet! During our three antenatal sessions, she took the time to get to know us and our birth preferences, helping us explore all possible options.
I also attended her pregnancy yoga classes, which I absolutely loved and already miss! Theyβre such a beautiful way to move and connect with your baby and these also helped build our relationship even further.
Maria was always at the end of the phone during pregnancy and was an incredible support throughout labour and birth. She helped get my birth space ready, contacted the midwives and helped protect our birth space when they were here, helped care for our toddler until family arrived and supported me through surges when our toddler needed my husband. She captured precious photos and videos and ensured everything was taken care of after the birth, so we could fully enjoy our post-birth bubble!
Weβre so grateful we found you and canβt thank you enough! We miss you and I canβt wait to join your mother and baby yoga circles soon! β€οΈ
You can really tell she cares deeply about what she does. She shares helpful tips for pregnancy, birth and recovery, and nothing ever feels rushed or intimidating. I always leave feeling lighter, calmer and more confident about my body and the journey ahead.
If youβre pregnant (or a new mummy) and thinking about trying yoga, this is 100% the place to go π€
I am now attending her mother and baby yoga circle and from the very first session, I felt completely supported, safe and understood. Maria creates such a calm, welcoming atmosphere and really takes the time to check in with everyone individually, making sure movements are comfortable and adapted to each stage of your journey.
The sessions have been the perfect mix of gentle stretching, strengthening and relaxation. Iβve noticed such a difference in my back pain and overall comfort, but more than that, itβs become a highlight of my week β a chance to slow down, breathe and properly connect with my baby. Thank you!!
We started the day with a gentle yoga session, followed by meaningful rituals including a cacao ceremony that left me feeling grounded and nurtured. The food was absolutely delicious β all homemade, healthy, and prepared with such care. We were really spoiled!
Maria also offered a small temple massage, and it was incredible. She has such a calming, intuitive presence, and she made me feel completely at ease throughout the day. We also had the chance to ask questions to Chloe, an extremely knowledgeable midwife who provided thoughtful, evidence-based answers to all our worries and curiosities.
The retreat created such a supportive environment where everyone felt comfortable sharing their experiences, doubts, and emotions. I left feeling relaxed, happy, confident, and truly uplifted.
The goody bag we received was a lovely surprise and will be so useful as I move through this phase of pregnancy.
I honestly couldnβt recommend this retreat enough to anyone expecting β itβs so worth it. Iβm already looking forward to joining the motherhood retreats that Maria offers. An unforgettable experience!
She brought such a calming, positive presence at the birth, and her encouragement and tips made all the difference during the more challenging moments. I truly couldnβt have asked for a more supportive partner on this journey and believe I wouldnβt have had such a positive birth if it wasnβt for Maria. My partner and mum were also present at birth and they also found her support invaluable. We cannot thank her enough!
Highly recommend to anyone looking for a compassionate and knowledgeable doula!
Plus she makes the best date snacks ππ«π₯°
I also attended her confident birthing retreat where I first met Maria, it was a wonderful day surrounded by incredible women, the ceremonies and activities really helped me get into the birth mindset and embrace everything that was to come! Would attend one again in a heartbeat.
She then ran my mother blessing which was such an emotional day (in a good way!), everyone who attended said how special it was and how wonderful Maria was π«π«Άπ
Other Services Available
βIf a woman doesnβt look like a Goddess during birth, then someone isnβt treating her rightβ
INA MAY GASKIN
Four simple movements to practice in pregnancy β¨
As a doula and yoga teacher, I support women to feel empowered and confident when giving birth - a major part of this is moving our body in a way that supports physiological birth but also your recovery.
You can find my classes on Thursday evenings at the Parish Hub in Copthorne, or if you canβt get to a class, my prerecorded yoga pack for just Β£22 is the perfect way to move your body in your own time and space ππ»
You can find both via the link in my bio π
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#doula #pregnancyyoga #prenatalyoga #antenataleducation
We are honoured to have @catarinaneves_photography , a portrait photographer, joining us for part of the afternoon at our next Pregnancy Retreat. Her work centres around celebrating women in all the seasons they move through, including motherhood. β¨
She will be gently capturing a few moments from the retreat, holding space for the natural connections and energy that unfold. She will also be offering mini photoshoots, if it feels right for you.
There is no expectation at all, simply an offering, should you feel called to be seen and held in this way. ππ»
After the retreat, youβll receive a private gallery where you can view your images and choose whether youβd like to keep any. One complimentary image will be included, with the option to purchase more if you wish.
Catarina will also be extending a special offering for future sessions, including maternity and newborn photography.
If youβd like to explore her work ahead of time, you can visit:β¨www.catarinanevesphotography.com
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#pregnancyretreat #doula #maternityphotography #pregnancyyoga #westsussex
Just a little reminder of what you can find over in my little corner of Instagram β¨β¨β¨β¨
I am a birth & postpartum doula, yoga teacher and mindful breastfeeding practitioner π
I host pregnancy and motherhood retreats, empowering birth workshops and womenβs circles β¨
I am a true empath and absolutely love supporting women and families in this way - I feel so honoured and lucky to have people choose me to walk alongside them on their journey. Be it through my yoga classes or 1-1 support - my clients are my world π
Above all, I am a mother to two young boys - my everything - they are my reason and my inspiration always π«
If youβre looking for support throughout your pregnancy, birth or postpartum, I am currently taking bookings for 2026 π
Based in Crawley, and covering Sussex and Surrey, my yoga classes, doula support and retreat days are full of love and passion.
Photography by the incredibly talented @vanessagomes_photography - thank you always!
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#doula #yoga #pregnancy
JOIN US πβ¨β€οΈβπ₯
A three part series of evenings where we craft, connect, and set intentions. Join us for an intimate evening dedicated to YOU.
As the months pass, we invite you to gather in a safe, warm space to reflect on what is present within you. This is more than just an evening; it is a βpause buttonβ for your busy lifeβa chance to reconnect with your intuition and a community of like-minded women.
Our Evenings will consist of the following:
Mindfulness meditation
Guided journaling
Gentle Stretching
Sharing Circle: a space to be heard and held (always optional).
Creation, be that craft or intentions
Nourish, herbal teas and homemade cake included
Whether you are seeking clarity for the months ahead or simply a few hours of quiet peace, you are so welcome here. No experience in yoga, meditation, or crafting is requiredβjust an open heart.
Link in bio to book β¨π±
#sussex #womenscircle #meditation #yoga
A different pregnancy journey starts hereβ¨
We believe pregnancy should be a time of diving deep into your divine feminine ~ a time to build trust in your ability to birth, the way you want to birth.
Our next Pregnancy Day retreat - the only one of its kind in Sussex and Surrey will be on the 17th of May at the gorgeous @the_sussex_country_yurt
This isnβt just a break from the noise, itβs a dedicated space hosted by an experienced Doula and Midwife duo designed to leave you feeling:
π Empowered - through movement that honours your journey
πRelaxed - in a sanctuary built for deep rest
πInformed - with open discussions on how to navigate the system and knowledge to carry you through birth and beyond
Sunday 17th May, 10-4:30pm
RH12 3SQ
Option to pay in two instalments available
Spaces are limited to ensure every mama feels supported. Please DM me with any questions or book via the link in bio β¨
#pregnancyretreat #birthdoula #positivebirth #surrey
Appreciate feedback like this so much ~ itβs an honour and pleasure to hold space for women through such a special time in their lives β¨β¨β¨β¨
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#doula #yogaretreat #motherhood #duein2026
Because saying this devalues the hardship that mothers endure every day.
Unpopular opinion? Maybe? But I donβt think this is helpful to
The mother who is so sleep deprived they feel like theyβre floating out of their body
To the mother who is googling every decision wondering if theyβre doing it wrong
To the mother who just tried and failed to transfer their sleeping baby from the car and now knows the consequence
To the mother whose craving adult conversation, to be heard and connect
To the mother who canβt figure out why their baby is crying
To the mother whose been left with zero support after a difficult birth
To the mother who feels lost, different, disorientated because no one ever explained the word Matrescence to her
I could go on and on. So please, next time you want to assure a mum and tell her to enjoy every moment (because it goes too quickly!) remember what it was like to be in her shoes⦠we can feel blessed and grateful and love our babies AND still recognise just how hard this mothering is.
Come join me at my motherhood retreat, Matrescence or my mother and baby yoga circle ~ a safe space to explore all sides of motherhood β€οΈβπ₯
#doula #motherhood #retreat
Our first ever live with @niafinlay ~ talking about all things Matrescence and our upcoming Motherhood Retreat ~ humbly gatecrashed by my children π€£π
Link in bio to book this dreamy day just for you (no children allowed, promise!)
PREGNANCY YOGA β¨π
Our next block is up! With a wee break every 2 blocks for our Empower Your Birth workshop, I am so excited to be getting into the rhythm of Thursday evenings at the new location.
A chance to stretch, reconnect and honour your changing body - this is my love, my passion and I am so lucky to have the best clients ~ come join us for some zen and movement beneficial for the birthing body.
6-7pm
Thursdays
Copthorne
Book via link in bio ππ»
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#pregnancyyoga #duein2026 #westsussex #surrey
β¨ ONLINE PREGNANCY YOGA GIVEAWAY β¨
I have poured my heart, soul and months of creative energy into something very special... and itβs finally here. My NEW Online Pregnancy Yoga Course is officially LIVE! π§ββοΈποΈ
This isnβt just a workout; itβs a digital sanctuary for you and your baby. A space to find alignment, breath, and a deep connection to your changing body.
To celebrate, Iβm giving away LIFETIME ACCESS to one lucky mama-to-be! ππ»
WHATβS INSIDE:
π§ββοΈ A 4-Class Yoga Series: Soul-led movement for every stage of your pregnancy, perfect for those with little to no yoga experience.
β¨ FREE BONUS Hypnobirthing Track: A relaxing, guided audio track to ground your mind and practice your breath for birth.
HOW TO ENTER:
1οΈβ£Make sure youβre following my account @pachamama_maria
2οΈβ£ Sign up to my e-newsletter by clicking the link in my bio
3οΈβ£ LIKE this post
4οΈβ£ TAG a fellow mama-to-be (if you donβt know any, a mama friend will do!) in the comments (1 tag = 1 entry, enter as many times as you like!)
β¨ BONUS: Share this to your stories and tag me for 5 EXTRA entries!
πΊTHE INTRODUCTORY OFFER πΊ
Canβt wait for the draw? I want this magic to be accessible to every body. For the launch period only, you can bag the entire 4-class series + the FREE Hypnobirthing bonus for just Β£20. That is full, lifetime access for less than the cost of a single local workshop.
π CLICK THE LINK IN MY BIO TO CLAIM YOUR SPACE FOR Β£20
Special shout out to @joyyogasurrey for allowing me to film this in her beautifully calm studio in Reigate β¨π₯Ή
Giveaway ends Monday 16th of March. Winner will be announced on my stories on Tuesday 17th of March. This giveaway is not sponsored, endorsed, or administered by Instagram.
I donβt take this work lightly - apart from mothering my own children, it really is the biggest honour to have families choose me to walk alongside them on their journey β¨
This work is deeply rooted in trust and Iβll never take that for granted π
*photo credit, the incredibly talented @vanessagomes_photography
#doula #birth #motherhood #surrey
Calling all expectant mothers π«Άπ»
ππ¨π§ππ’πππ§π ππ’π«ππ‘π’π§π ππ«ππ π§ππ§ππ² ππππ«πππβ¨π©·π€°π½
Sunday 17th May, @the_sussex_country_yurt, RH12 3SQ, 10:30 - 4:30
This day retreat is all about celebrating your transition to motherhood. Whether it be your first or your fourth child, we want to celebrate and honour the journey you have ahead of you. π©·
Join us for a day of connection, inspiration and relaxation, helping you prepare physically, mentally and spiritually.
Included in your day:
π§π»ββοΈPre-natal yoga class
π©πΌββοΈMidwife led workshop: birthing with confidence
πDoula led Postpartum Prep
π₯Nutritious homemade seasonal lunch
βοΈMindfulness & Visualisation
π¨Birth vision board session
πΏGuided meditation
π§Plenty of cake and tea
ποΈ Treat bag to take home
We welcome all mothers who are pregnant from 12 weeks right up until the end of third trimester.
No prior yoga experience is needed.
