A.k.a Iris. I am a first generation Mexican American and Spanish was my first language. Because I had the privilege to go to school in the US, I became my family's interpreter at a very young age, which exposed me to many discriminations in different settings but what shocked me the most was the medical setting. It's what made me passionate about autonomous whole body care. I also had the privilege to witness my abuela and tia heal using sobada, massage and other traditional techniques. I am answering my ancestors' call to heal and grow. 

I have been practicing bodywork since 2004 and have supported birthing people and families in the Austin area, as a doula, since 2009. In the past 18 years I have learned from many local native elders as well as my familia, elders of the Danza Chichimeca and Guatemala elders. 

One of the traditional tools I use is a Mexican textile called a Rebozo. I use it as a somatic tool in bodywork and to support pregnant and birthing bodies. It can be used to help with optimal fetal positioning and assistance during labor but especially in the postpartum period. I also teach classes on using the Rebozo as a self care tool for everyday life. 

I was introduced to the doula role through my perinatal massage clients. I was being invited to their births. In my family your tias, sisters, abuela or cousins were the birth support so it was a new concept to me. I immediately jumped into the first doula training with DONA but felt like I needed more so I took two different training sessions, one was with Mama Sana Vibrant Woman where I learned more about the racial disparities in the medical industrial complex. I also would observe and ask my tia questions on why she would care the way she did. 

As I started my doula practice, I noticed that there was a lack of care, especially culturally competent care in my community.

I started to volunteer for a local non profit doula group called GALS (Giving Austin labor support) who offer free  birth doula care. I was on call as a doula with them for 5 years, then became a project coordinator for 2 years. This is where I gained most of my birth experience, with my community. I also worked with Mama Sana Vibrant Woman as a birth companion for 3 years.

I then founded the Birth Comadres Collective in 2020. The collective is composed of different perinatal Spanish speaking practitioners holding space for healing specifically in the nuances of the Spanish speaking community. Birth Comadres was able to get funding for providing postpartum body care for the undocumented and refugee community in Austin.  

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Growing up I watched my maternal abuela (grandmother), Juana Solis Martinez, and my paternal tia  (aunt), Ma Ester Reza Gurrola, sobar people in their homes. Whether they were in Mexico or in the U.S. people were always seeking out their healing. Needless to say I was inspired by them although their stories are different and strange, ha.

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I am always deepening my spiritual practice through the Danza Azteca Mexica Chichimeca with connection to the altar of Ameyaltonal with capitanes David Mazatl and Luz Ihuakatzin and madrina de la danza Laura Rios Ramirez. As well as Maya elder nana Cleotilde ChilePixtun, Lipan Mescalero Apache curandera women nana Marika and medicine women And many of my brothers and sisters on the red road. Through these traditions, I have learned to be aware of the earth's cycles and vibration, its elements and our mind body connection. Furthering my connection to Divine Spirit.

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Training

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Doula/Birth

Postpartum techniques by my Tia Ester

Vida Luna Massage y Mas

Doulas of North America (DONA)

Jessica Atkins CPM - co-creator of Tiny Love Doula Certification

Mama Sana Vibrant Women Doula Training

Midwifery Assistant - Mercy in Action

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Rebozo/Manteada

Techniques by my abuela Juana Solis Martinez

Luz Ilhuakatzin - elder, Traditional healer, Iridoligist, Herbalist

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Massage/Bodywork

Techniques by my abuela Juana Solis Martinez

Austin School of Massage

The Lauterstein-Conway Massage School and Clinic

Vida Luna Massage y Mas - Pregnancy massage

Charlotte Senseney Sternkind, LMT, APBT - Infant massage

Marucha Ilhuakatzin - elder, Traditional healer, Iridoligist, Herbalist

Marika Alvarado - elder curandera - Ventosas/cupping, body-work

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Energy Healing

Lila Wilds Reiki Master- Reiki level I

Vida Luna Massage y Mas - Color Therapy

Marucha Ilhuakatzin - elder, Traditional healer, Iridoligist, Herbalist - Limpias

Marika Alvarado - elder curandera

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Herbs

Wildflower School of Botanical Medicine in combination with doula training at Vida Luna Massage y Mas

Marika Alvarado - elder curandera maestra

Rosa Tupina Yaotonalcuauhtli, LCSW - Therapist, elder curandera

Marucha Ilhuakatzin - elder, Traditional healer, Iridoligist, Herbalist