Sneha. Seva. Sadhana.
Sumati is a mother, ayurvedic practitioner and seeker whose life is devoted to compassionate service. She is a founding member of Life Circle Birth International.
Her work with new parents is guided by three principles – Sneha or loving-friendship, Seva or devoted-service and Sadhana or deep-study. These three pillars form the core of her practice – each continually informing the other.
Sumati has spent over a decade and a half serving birthing people and families as a birth and postpartum doula and Ayurvedic Counsellor. She passionately believes in non-judgmental, trauma-informed, culturally aware and inclusive support for all people.
Over the years she has come to learn that wellbeing must include a complete perspective of mind-body-consciousness-community in order to open the door to healing for many people. She incorporates various body, mind and mindfulness modalities that sometimes encompasses community and ancestral trauma repair work in her service to families.
With her background in Ecology she tends towards a fondness for big-picture and systems thinking. With her training and experience in traditional healing arts, personal study of eastern philosophy she believes that the path to well-being is unique for each individual and must incorporate personal and social well-being.
In addition to having over a decade of learning on the job, Sumati has dedicated her time to studying perinatal and postpartum health. She works closely with local professionals and has a wealth of referrals and resources.
Sumati has taken numerous courses a few of which are: Diet and nutrition in pregnancy, Ayurveda and Dietetics, Techniques and skills for Optimal Fetal Positioning, using indigenous Mexican technique for pre-birth and labor, how to perform Ayurvedic massage during labor, Ayurvedic Health Counsellor (NAMA), Ayurvedic Practitioner (NAMA) Aromatherapy, Acupressure and moxibustion for labor and birth, prenatal yoga, breath techniques for birth, Dancing for birth, Hypno-birthing, Birthing from With In, the Alexander Method, Lamaze, Preventing Trauma during Birth, Trauma-Informed Perinatal Support. Oketani breast massage technique, Tantra for Women and Birth.
Services for expecting and new families
Trauma-informed and inclusive support open to all.
‘Sumati has more than twelve years of experience as a birth worker and has served 500+ families in the greater Seattle community.
Over the years families have chosen her to be by their side for multiples and twins, premature infants, postpartum mood disorders, unexpected medical diagnoses, as well as extraordinarily ordinary births. She has stood by first-time parents, experienced parents, culturally diverse families, single parents and same-sex parents.
Drawing on her experience and keen observation she will hold sacred space for you, nurture, nourish and encourage you as you begin this new chapter of your life on the strongest possible footing.
Whether Sumati joins you for a birth or takes care of you postpartum; you will find that she is your biggest cheerleader and your strongest ally. ‘
Services for those in service
(care-providers, physicians, nurses, doulas, teachers and others in caring professions)
Apart from serving perinatal families – Sumati also offers consultations and care to those who are in-service taking care of others. If you are heading toward burn-out, exhaustion, emotional depletion or just need to fill your cup – please reach out.
Modalities offered include Doula Care, Ayurvedic Diet, Lifestyle and Therapies, Yoga, Meditation, Aroma Therapy.
Learning to use simple practices from Yoga, Vedas and Buddhist Tantra to re-align body, mind and consciousness and heal secondary, current and past trauma.
Support available for those facing the stress of living in an environment that is hostile to their well-being and sense of true self (such as those subject to racism). Please note – doula services and modalities offered are non-religious while deeply honouring each person’s own experience of spirituality if any – and awareness of goodness. Open to people of all backgrounds.
Format of Services
- 10 visit care package for those who care for others – diet, consultation, ayurvedic care. Sliding scale prices. Please enquire for gift-cards.
- Deep relaxation/rejuvenations therapies (1:1) – seasonal – align with nature, heal through the senses.
- Retreats for providers – find community, share understanding, trade wisdom. Replenish and Renew.
- Community Circles
Select Training and Education
Ayurvedic Practitioner (NAMA, Kerala Ayurveda Academy) Birth Doula, (DONA- international), Postpartum Doula (DONA), Certificate in Ayurveda and Dietetics (I-AIM), Ayurvedic Approach to Healing Trauma – (Ayurvedic Institute), Spinning Babies, (Center for Indigenous Midwifery), Certificate in Aromatherapy and Essential oils (Bastyr University)
M.Sc. – Conservation and Wildlife Biology, National Center for Biological Sciences, India
“Sumati was our birth doula and I can honestly say I simply cannot imagine how I would have done it without her!! After a complicated first delivery I spent most of my second pregnancy fearing a repeat of what had happened the first time. I was very anxious and my trust and faith in the hospital was very low. Though we hired Sumati at the last minute but she was kind enough to begin helping us right away. She went above and beyond, fitting in our prenatal appointments and she spent as much time as needed answering our questions and encouraging us to prepare a plan for our doctor/hospital. She guided us to ask questions and voice our concerns at our doctor’s appointments which helped us to feel more comfortable with the decisions being made.
Revati and Sukanth, M
During the 39th week I was exhausted and being pressured to schedule an induction which I just didn’t want. I was also feeling a lot of pain. Sumati came over and made me do some positions. Luckily something worked and I got into labor the next night. I was able to have a successful VBAC with her support and it was such a different experience from our first baby! Sumati was great with our older son too as we had no family or friends nearby to help us take care of him during the birth. I don’t know what we would have done if she was not there. She was more like a member of our family and we will always remember her.“
Matrika Doula & Ayurvedic Wellness 