The number of women who experience reproductive health issues or who battle through difficult, painful periods each month is quite staggering. From PMS to chronic infections to ovarian cysts to uterine fibroids to painful, heavy periods that last for far too long, I think it is pretty safe to say that the vast majority of women out there don’t exactly welcome their monthly moontime!
I also believe that this is a real shame, however – a missed opportunity – because when we learn how to ride the waves of our monthly cycles, as well as how to look after our menstrual health in a natural and holistic way, we can really ensure that we start to understand and get in tune with our amazing female bodies – and to truly harness the power of our menstrual cycles as a result of that.
A Chance To Release
Days 1-5ish… Our monthly bleed is how we let go of the previous month’s emotional “stuff” that we no longer need. As women, we store a lot of emotion in our pelvic bowls/wombs and this is a great way to consciously connect with that and to let go of any unwanted/outdated emotions we may be carrying. In order to enable our womb to shed its lining, the cervix opens slightly at this time, starting a new cycle as she does so. Our moontime correlates to the season of Winter – a time for nurturing ourselves and letting go of anything that no longer serves us.
In terms of proper period care, I personally feel that using organic cotton pads (disposable or washable) is the best option. I really don’t enjoy “plugging up” my menstrual flow with either a tampon or a mooncup (although they can be useful if going swimming, etc) – they both seem counter-intuitive to me. In addition, many women find that their period pain reduces significantly – or even disappears completely – when they switch from using tampons to pads. Mine certainly did.
A Fresh Start
Days 6-11ish… Once we have finished bleeding, the young energy of this new cycle builds towards ovulation, bringing fresh vision and purpose. This is a more masculine, focussed and goal-orientated phase of the menstrual cycle embodied by the formation of a new egg, symbolising a new goal/purpose for our lives. This next season of our cycle correlates to Spring – when, just as new life springs forth in nature, estrogen starts to rise and we start to feel more energetic, more motivated, and full of hope, optimism and new ideas. A great time to get creative and organised, ready for the next chapter.
A Time To Shine!
Days 12-19ish… Post-ovulation, we have the opportunity to build on Spring’s rising energy and to welcome the Summer season of our cycle! Ride the momentum and focus in on bigger projects, those that require more energy of you, that you now have freely available. Our libidos tend to be at a peak during this time (our bodies are signalling “go and find a mate and get pregnant!”) and we approach both work and play with a passion.
A Time For Reflection
Days 20-28ish… Here, our energy starts to subside and we become more internally focused and reflective. We may become indecisive or teary at this time. Rest and restoration are the order of the day!
Using a yoni egg can help us to balance our energy throughout the month so that these phases are less distinct. The more we work with our sexual energy, the less our moods tend to swing and we can just enjoy – and make the most of – the subtle differences as we move from one phase of our cycle to the next.
And Back Again…
Then it’s back to releasing once again – our cervix opens and, with it, the door between worlds – between the physical and non-physical/life and death, as when we birth a baby or experience cervical orgasm. This is why menstruation is such a powerful time for us – if we choose to tap into this “otherworldly” connection that naturally opens up for us when we bleed – as it is a bridge to the spirit world. When we can learn to drop our revulsion about menstruation, we are able to embrace the magical reality of it instead – and gain invaluable insights and learning as we do so.
Taking time over the first 2 days of our cycle to minimise activity as much as possible and, instead, to go more inward and float in the ethereal realm for a change, helps us to let go of the old and tap into transforming our lives at a whole different level. In this way we honour our moontime in the way it should be honoured. Avoiding large social gatherings, unplugging cell phones, reading (proper!) books and drinking herbal teas are good guidelines to follow for these first couple of days. Enjoying period sex with a partner can also be a delightfully primal experience – as well as enabling our partner to access the same otherworldly experience that we ourselves are tapping into.
Restoring Imbalance – Calling All Yoni Steaming Practitioners!
But what to do if we are dealing with issues like ovarian cysts, uterine fibroids, endometriosis, painful periods, heavy & prolonged bleeding, chronic bacterial or yeast infections, short cycles – or even periods that are missing altogether? All of these can make embracing and honouring our moontime very challenging indeed!
That is when the first thing I recommend is yoni steaming. Yoni steaming is, hands down, THE best way to bring balance back to problematic menstrual cycles. It is fast-acting, non-invasive and highly effective – and I really cannot recommend it highly enough. I consider yoni steaming to be natural, holistic gynaecology – and I believe its rightful place is to be the FIRST port of call before considering anything more drastic and invasive (as well as potentially damaging too – conventional gynaecology does NOT have a great track record!).
Having said that, there are specific contraindications for yoni steaming’s use, as well as the need to ensure that care is taken when choosing and implementing the herb blend and steaming protocol best suited to your own personal needs. In this way, not only is yoni steaming safe, it also ensures the absolutely best possible results. And this is where the skilled services of a qualified yoni steaming practitioner can come in really handy. The world is in great need of far more yoni steaming practitioners – or “holistic gynaecologists” – at this moment in time, because far too many women are still suffering with menstrual health problems – problems that can, generally, be very easily sorted out using a regular, custom-made yoni steaming programme.
Holistic Sexual Wellness Coach For Women training programme
To this end, I am about to launch my Holistic Sexual Wellness Coach For Women programme, the first – and main – part of which is “Herbal Yoni Medicine”, which is due to launch imminently. This predominantly covers yoni steaming and its applications, but also includes a section on the use of yoni pearls, as well as how to put together your own herbal yoni teas. You will also learn how to blend your own yoni steaming herb mixes and match them to the needs of your clients, in order to achieve the best possible results.
If you are feeling called to work more closely with women’s sexual health in a holistic capacity – as an add-on to your existing work, or as a newer calling in your life – then this programme is a good place to start.
The programme is currently divided into 4 parts/components – most of them still in development at the time of writing – and will eventually form a comprehensive women’s sexual wellness coaching programme, covering Herbal Yoni Medicine, Crystal Yoni Medicine, Nutritional Yoni Medicine and Breast Love Medicine. The final component will cover various miscellaneous, Supportive Yoni Medicine practices. The business side of setting up your own holistic sexual wellness practice will also be covered during the programme.
Training is online and is complemented by monthly Zoom calls and full email support. A certificate will be issued on the successful completion of each assessment at the end of each of the four course components. So you can either choose to do just one or two of the components – or to do them all for a full, holistic set of tools for your toolbox.
Suitable for midwives, doulas, gynaecologists, naturopathic/integrative doctors, nurses, alternative medicine therapists, women’s group facilitators, women’s wellness advocates, massage therapists, spa owners etc. Essentially, anyone who already works with women and wishes to deepen their knowledge base to include this fundamentally important – and yet often ignored/misunderstood – aspect of women’s health: our sexual health. In a holistic way. And to explore the ancient wisdom and healing power of our herbal allies. It is also a great opportunity to learn and be able to offer new skills in one of the fastest-growing health and wellness niches of this time.
As this work can be used in both an online, as well as an in-person capacity, it is also a wonderful opportunity to create a source of income that is not at the whim of any lockdown restrictions.
If this sounds to be of interest to you, and you would like to be notified when this programme next opens for registration, please sign up to the Holistic Sexual Wellness Coach mailing list here.
For anyone who hasn’t yet received a copy of my Yoni Love 101 – A Guide To Holistic Sexual Self-Care For Women, you will also receive this when you sign up to the mailing list. It’s a really great resource to have and provides an excellent introduction to the training programme.
Look forward to seeing you in the programme – and, in the meantime, get out there and rock the power of your menstrual cycle! ♥♥♥
If you have enjoyed this blog post and would like to be kept informed about future blogs, live events, courses, online training or special offers, please sign up to our mailing list using the form to the right of this page. When you do, you will also receive a beautifully illustrated Sexual Reflexology chart denoting the different reflexology zones of the vagina, the in- and out-of-balance emotions connected with these different zones and also the relevant healing sounds and sexual positions connected to them. And/or (also beautifully illustrated!) my Yoni Love 101 ebook – A Guide To Holistic Sexual Self-Care For Women – an exploration of the current state of women’s sexual health and conventional ways of treating it, as well as – far more importantly – looking at holistic alternatives to dealing with our sexual health on both a physical and emotional level – and the sexual happiness that naturally flows from this.
