About the Filmmakers
Devoted to the belief that birth can be both empowering and pleasurable, Leslie Piper L.M.T. and Leslie Stager R.R., L.M.T. utilize their skills of massage therapy, doula care, mothering, obstetrical nursing, and filmmaking to inspire and educate labor supporters about the benefits of nurturing touch. MotherTouch Films encourages women to be well-supported in their births and have happier, healthier outcomes.
Devoted to the belief that birth can be both empowering and pleasurable, Leslie Piper LMT and Leslie Stager RN, LMT utilize their skills of massage therapy, doula care, mothering, obstetrical nursing and filmmaking to inspire and educate labor supporters about the benefits of nurturing touch. MotherTouch Films encourages women to be well-supported in their births and have happier, healthier outcomes.
Leslie Stager, RN, LMT lesliestager.com
LeslieStager.com
Leslie Stager is a doula, former labor and delivery nurse and childbirth educator. As a certified pregnancy massage therapist, her private massage practice has been focused on bodywork for pregnant, laboring, and postpartum women since 1991. A perinatal instructor since 1993, Leslie implemented the Maternity Massage Certification program at Oregon School of Massage in Portland. She is author of the comprehensive pregnancy massage textbook, Nurturing Massage for Pregnancy: A Practical Guide to Bodywork for the Perinatal Cycle published by Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins (forthcoming in early 2009) and is the instructor on the 2006 DVD, Mastering Pregnancy Massage. www.lesliestager.com
Leslie Piper, LMT
vitalconnecthealth.com
Director/Producer Leslie Piper has been moonlighting as a filmmaker for 10 years when she wasn't devoting herself to her 18-year healing work practice and raising two children as a single mom. Her healing work focuses on life's transitions and transformations: being born, preparing to pass on, dealing with trauma – the juicy stuff. Her work both with film and healing work focuses on empowerment; Leslie assists others to find their path to powerful and vital living. Her work is informed by her education at Pacific Northwest College of Art and years of coaching women in labor and teaching touch workshops. Her short film Transit has shown in festivals across the country and in Montreal. www.vitalconnecthealth.com
Workshops & Consultations
Leslie Stager offers extensive training in massage for pregnant and laboring women and new mothers through her DVD, Mastering Pregnancy Massage, as well as in the Maternity Massage Certification at Oregon School of Massage. More than a practicum in massage techniques, this certification program allows participants to explore and integrate the women’s wisdom that has supported mothers-to-be through the birth journey for thousands of years. Perinatal bodywork is now flourishing in many professional settings such as birthing centers, hospitals, and physician and chiropractor offices. Leslie’s courses pave the way for therapists to offer safe and skilled touch in these settings as well as in private practice.
Send her an e-mail for information about scheduling a workshop or consultation.