ara Lyon is a
renowned birth
educator, doula,
author, entrepreneur, and mother of two. For over 15 years she has supported thousands of parents through pregnancy, the birthing process, and life after baby.
While working in the spa industry early in her career, Lyon witnessed a disconnect between ‘quality of treatment’ and ambiance. The massage that was done in the spare room of a massage therapist’s home seemed to be better
than the one from a
five-star spa. So why
not bridge this gap?
The answer wouldn’t
come until 2010.
In the meantime,
Lyon pursued her
studies at the
University of
Michigan in medical
sociology with
focused research in
women’s health and
integrative medicine.
She quickly
discovered that the
lack of perinatal
education in the U.S
was leading to poor health outcomes nationally and
across specific demographics. Lyon’s mission became finding a way to improve perinatal care in America utilizing a holistic approach. Her focus narrowed to prenatal massage because it was an instant point of contact with women during a vulnerable phase of their life.
After college, Lyon headed overseas for two years to study massage full time. Her unique training with experts, mentors, and teachers in both in the UK and Australia introduced her to an entirely new approach to prenatal bodywork which was much different than what was being offered in the states.
“It’s interesting that we Americans consider “massage” a novelty or luxury, but in other countries it’s considered a part of preventative and rehabilitative health care and covered by insurance,” explains Lyon.
“Emerging from the immersive education I received overseas was powerful, and I was grateful to tailor my skills in a fear-free environment. America’s postpartum care is significantly lacking and in opening Glow Birth & Body, I wanted to help bridge the gap while also creating partnerships to support all communities through their birthing experience.”
Working with pregnant women quickly led Lyon to teaching birth education and then attending her clients’ labors as their doula. In fact, doulas were fairly new at the time, as this was before social media gave all subcultures a platform, and the progressive birth movement was still considered fringe in 2005.
“My initial training was through apprenticeship and hands-on care,” explains Lyon. As her massage practice grew, so did the personal birth invites from massage clients and she quickly
fell in love with the work. Lyon continued to volunteer as a doula in hospital labor & delivery wards, and while supporting women from all over the world, she was able to learn how different cultures approach the labor process both emotionally and physically.
It is through her extensive training, education, and experience as a doula that Lyon opened Glow Birth & Body in Oakland in 2010 with a team of skilled massage therapists who were experts in deep tissue bodywork in a nurturing and nourishing spa atmosphere.
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