Building a foundation based on personal experiences and observed needs of the community, Sarah Burch is in the process of opening NamaSitter. NamaSitter is to become a small business that offers private in-home yoga classes for prenatal women.
A babysitter is included in NamaSitter’s fee. The aim is to give mothers peace of mind as they take time to make the most out of their private lessons.
“Knowing that I feel so much better when I can take care of myself, coming up with a business idea that would bring that sitter component to moms so they could prioritize their health and wellness just made so much sense to me and it is something that I wish I had access to,” Burch said.
Burch is the mother of a now six-year-old son. While going through her pregnancy with him, she said she found comfort and community in the practice of prenatal yoga. Since she was the first of her friends to get pregnant, she did not have a point of reference or a community to consult regarding the transitions her mind and body were going through.
Attending prenatal yoga classes not only gave Burch the community she was seeking. It gave her valuable time to bond with her baby and prepare for labor.
“With prenatal yoga, you are really beginning to wrap your head around the labor and delivery process,” Burch said. “I love the idea of getting that preparation for your mind and body in a really safe space. For me, it was such an empowering experience to sort of regain some sense of control over my body as I listened to what felt good and what didn’t.”
Burch said she hopes her service will provide a safe space similar to what she experienced. She also plans to act as a supporter and partner to her clients through the process they are going through.
“Something I am definitely going to do with future clients is take time to listen and check in with them,” Burch said.
NamaSitter Will Offer Community Classes for BIPOC Women
NamaSitter will also offer community classes for BIPOC women. Burch is aware of the disparities that exist in the maternal mortality rates between white women and women of color. She wanted to provide a service that worked towards helping the BIPOC community. The community classes will be free of charge, although donations are welcome.
“If I am going to attain this set of skills that could assist women in their journey to happy healthy pregnancies, I definitely wanted to come up with a way to make that as accessible as possible,” Burch said.
Burch is a single mother who works a nine-to-five job as a career counselor at the University of Michigan. For her, starting a business was never on her radar until she decided to start NamaSitter. Burch said she encourages women to take the next step to pursue their goals and passions. This is especially true if they have an idea on how to be a positive change in their community.
“I hope that other women take chances and bet on themselves to really pursue things that they feel are in their heart. Because this is definitely in my heart,” Burch said.
There are still a few steps that Burch has to finish before opening up her business. This includes completing her formal yoga teaching certification through Zion Well. By late July, Burch is optimistic that she will be ready to start seeing clients.
For more information on NamaSitter, visit her Instagram. To support her upcoming business, check out her GoFundMe.
