Full-Spectrum Doula, Ancestral Medicine Practioner, Environmental Justice Advocate
About Me:
Aracely Navarro, MPH, Professional Doula
I am the daughter of Maria E. Castaneda, and many other mothers and grandmothers that have come before me. My mother was born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico and my father was born in Barberena, Santa Rosa, Guatemala. I identify as Chicana, first-generation, and the proud daughter of immigrants. I work as a birth keeper, an environmental justice advocate, and Danzante Mexica. I went into healing work when my mother passed from her long battle with breast cancer. My family was very much colonized and our medicines were not spoken of. I believe these circumstances contributed greatly to my mothers illness, she and I did not know where we came from, we did not know who we were. It is because of this that I am in this healing work, in the work of decolonization, reclamation of ancestral knowledge and of protecting and preserving the Earth, great Tonantzin. I am here offering my heart and spirit, my knowledge from what I have learned about traditional healing in the past several years.
I have a Bachelors of Environmental Science and a Master of Public Health. Additionally I have received Doula training from Allo Doula Academy with additional trainings from Sumi's Touch and DONA. I am bilingual, fluent in Spanish and am CPR Certified. I have been a doula since 2022 and have helped more than 15 babies come into the world!
Mission
My mission is to guide parents through the journey of childbirth, blending ancient wisdom with modern techniques. By creating a nurturing environment, I strive to ensure that parents feel supported, cherished, and joyful as they embark in the ceremony of birth.
Vision
Sangre De Metzli's vision is that all can experience birth as the sacred ceremony that it is. My vision is that at the time of birth and beyond, parents and children have an experience that is free of birth trauma and they feel safe, healed and free.
Values:
Integrity
It is important to me to honor indigenous and native people from whom I have learned many healing modalities and who are my ancestors. I honor them and walk with them with this medicine. I will honor you as a sacred being in the same way.
Equity and Reproductive Justice
I center birth equity and those who have been most impacted by reproductive injustice. I ensure that clients have informed consent to make decisions about their birth and bodies
Accessibility
I believe these healing modalities should be available to all. Especially BIPOC and those impacted by genocide, slavery and colonization. Because of this I offer my services on a sliding scale and also accept other forms of payment (i.e. bartering with herbs, supplies, and produce).
Environmental Justice
This medicine would not be possible without the medicines of the Earth or those who have taken care of the Earth. Respect and love for the Earth is central to who I am, and healing those who have suffered from environmental injustice is a part of my mission