Chanti Smith, Midwife, LM, SEP
Midwifery is one of the oldest professions. Traditionally, midwives didn't only catch babies, they were community healers, shamans, spiritual counselors, and herbalists. It is in this ancient scope of practice that I work, supporting babies, parents, individuals and groups.
Since 1995 I have delved deeply into the realms of healing to be of service to the world, and to answer questions on my own journey of reclaiming health. I have discovered so many beautiful modalities and methods that support profound healing on the levels of body, mind and spirit. When I work, I draw on all of my experience and meet each person and family where they are at. In a session you will receive support that is deeply influenced by all of my other training, including Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy, Body-Mind Centering®, Somatic Experiencing®, Authentic Movement, Midwifery, Herbalism, Zero Balancing, Chi Nei Tsang, Mayan Uterine Massage, Ancestral Healing, Frequency Specific Microcurrent, Acupressure and Jin Shin Jyutsu. I look at these modalities like the systems of the body, we are not just informed by organs or bones, we are breathing living organisms working together in harmonic resonance.
I am a licensed and certified professional midwife, pre and perinatal birth therapist, somatic experiencing® practitioner, holistic pelvic care® practitioner, hypnobirthing® childbirth education instructor, prenatal yoga and embodied anatomy yoga teacher, massage therapist specializing in biodynamic craniosacral therapy, acupressure and body mind centering®, infant massage instructor, lactation specialist, western trained herbalist, and also a mother. Read below for a full list of my education, training and certifications.
I offer a diverse range of services to support you, including healing sessions in multiple modalities, holistic health services, childbirth education, and retreats and workshops for birth professionals and individuals interested in somatic therapy and holistic health. I currently offer in person sessions in Ashland, Oregon, Grass Valley, CA, and at times in Brooklyn, NY and the Bay Area, CA - and I work with people all over the world through Zoom. Please explore my offerings and let me know how I can support you!
CV
Formal Education
National Midwifery Institute – Certified Professional Midwife, 2007
Prescott College - B.A., Holistic Health and Spirituality/Cultural and Social Change, Prescott, AZ, 1999
Midwifery
Licensed Midwife (LM)
Certified Professional Midwife (CPM)- 2007, National Midwifery Institute - in conjunction with apprenticeship: Rites of Passage Midwifery, San Francisco, CA, 5/04 – 5/07 and Alaska family Health and Birth Center, Fairbanks, AK Summer 2006
Neonatal Resuscitation and CPR Certified
Holistic Pelvic Care, 2015
HypnoBirthing Practitioner Certification, 2010
Infant Massage Educator Certification, 2009
International Midwifery and Perinatal Trauma Resolution Volunteer at Bumi Sehat Clinic with Robin Lim- Bali, Winter 2007
Lactation Association Educators Certification, 2006
Post-Partum Doula Training, 2004
Doula Training, Heart and Hands with Elizabeth Davis, 2002-2003
Perinatal Somatic Psychology and Trauma Healing
Intuitive Healer Training Program, School of Intuitive Studies, 2021-2022
Ancestral Healing Practitioner Training, Dr. Daniel Foor, 2017-2018
Full Embodiment: Sexuality and the Autonomic Nervous System 3 Module Training, 2016
Teaching Assistant, Myrna Martin Pre and Perinatal Psychology Foundation Training, 2013-2016
APPPAH Trainer of Embodiment Seminars: Intro to Somatic Perinatal Psychology, 2014 - 2016
Somatic Experiencing Practitioner Training, 2011-2013
Birthing Yourself Womb Surround Facilitator, 2008-present
Castellino Pre and Perinatal Psychology Foundation Training, 2005-2007
Bodywork
Frequency Specific Microcurrent Practitioner Training, Dr. Carolyn McMakin, 2016
Holistic Pelvic Care, Tami Kent, 2015
Working with Babies: Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy, John Chitty, 2014
Pediatric Acupuncture and Tui Na, 2014
Zero Balancing Institute – Fundamentals, Fritz Smith, 2002 and Athena Malloy, 2014
The Flowering Of Consciousness, Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy and Infant Brain Development, Michael Shea, 2009
Craniosacral Therapy, Bali: Blend of Biodynamic, Milne, and Upledger, 2007
Mayan Uterine Massage Training, Ms. Beatrice, 2006, Nanna Dominga, 2024
Jin Shin Jyutsu for Mothers and Babies, 2004
Jin Shin Jyutsu- Practitioner/Self-Help Instructor Certification, 1997 – 2003
Chi Nei Tsang Institute - Internal Organ Massage, Gil Marin, 2001
Arvigo Method of Mayan Uterine Massage - Self Care Training, 2000
Upledger Institute - CranioSacral Therapy, 1997
Acupressure Institute - Practitioner Certification, 1997, Advanced 200 hour programs: Women’s Health, Emotional Balancing
Windwalk Institute - Massage Practitioner Certification, 1995
Yoga and Body Mind Centering
Body Mind Centering Assistant in Embodied Anatomy of Yoga, 2007- 2014
Body Mind Centering: Yoga and Developmental Movement, Embodied Anatomy of Yoga Instructor, 2003- present
Integrative Yoga Therapy - Yoga Teacher Certification, 2003
Herbology
Medicinal Plants, The Midwife Project Guatemala, February 2024
Bach Flower Essence Training, Noga Kreiman, 2014
Lily Flower Essence Training/Herbal Training, Julia Graves, 2013-2014
Staff Herbalist (training in Functional Medicine), Pharmaca Integrative Pharmacy, 2004-2007
Herbal Apprenticeship, Susun Weed, Wise Women Center, Spring 2002
Herbal Apprenticeship, Vitalist Botanicals, 1999 – 2001
Medicinal Plants, Flower Essences and Sustainable Farming Internship, New Dawn Center/Finca Amrita, Costa Rica, 1999
Teaching Engagements
Craniosacral Therapy in the Childbearing Years, Trauma/Verbal Skills for the Practitioner, Guest Teacher for The Sierra Mind Body Institute Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy Practitioner Training, 2021- present
Healing Trauma Through Movement, Completing the Stress Cycle, Guest Teacher for The Well School of Body Literacy, 2018-present
HypnoBirthing Inspired Comprehensive Holistic Childbirth Preparation Classes, 2010-present
Primal Sequence Co-Facilitator, 2016
Teacher and Co-Founder, Annual Grateful Heart Network and Yoga Retreat, Costa Rica, 2014
Full Spectrum Doula Trainer, 2015
APPPAH Trainer, 2014-present
Birth in the Garden: Birth Worker as Healer, Year Long Course in Holistic Reproductive Health, 2014
Beginning and Intermediate Midwifery Skills Practicums, 2011-present
Experiential Anatomy for the Vajra Pani Yoga Teacher Training, 2010-2019
Bonding and Attachment Intensive, 2013
Women’s Health and Herbs, Guest Teacher at the Vitalist School of Herbology, 2007-2011
Somatic Movement Therapy at the Ashland Institute of Massage, 2010
Pre and Perinatal Psychology for Birth Professionals at NY Open Center, 2009
