Women’s Wellness Workshops: Traditional Chinese Medicine and Yoga Therapy

I’m delighted to be working alongside two highly knowledgeable fellow yogis: Taryn from Shakti Yoga Academy and Rulene from Maiden to Mother. Both are exceptionally accomplished, experienced yoga therapists and are currently delivering a 300-hour Women’s Wellbeing Yoga Therapy training.

If committing to the complete 300-hour programme is not possible, you can instead take part in a forthcoming series of Women’s Wellness Workshops addressing timely, relevant areas of women’s health.

Women’s Wellness Workshops and Yoga Therapy Training

This distinctive training has been created as an immersive learning experience, with the material explored in an organic and investigative manner.

You may choose the subjects that are of greatest interest to you, or attend the entire programme. Participants who attend the full workshop series will receive a 20-hour YAI-accredited certificate of attendance.

I will lead two modules founded on the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) gives considerable importance to women’s wellbeing, regarding it as essential to overall health. Methods including acupuncture, herbal medicine, dietary therapy and qigong are used to regulate the body’s energy, or qi, and encourage harmony between yin and yang. TCM acknowledges women’s specific health needs, including menstruation, fertility, pregnancy and menopause, and provides tailored treatments intended to support these concerns. It also recognises emotions and stress as factors that can affect women’s health, highlighting mental and emotional equilibrium as important to overall wellbeing.

Traditional Chinese Medicine: Yin and Yang in the Menstrual Cycle

The first workshop offers an introduction to the principles of Yin and Yang as they relate to the menstrual cycle.

Within TCM, the menstrual cycle is understood to reflect a woman’s general health, as well as the balance of qi, or vital energy, and blood. Disturbances or imbalances in the movement of qi and blood are believed to contribute to menstrual irregularities and associated symptoms.

TCM practitioners consider a range of elements when diagnosing and treating menstrual concerns, including blood quality, energy levels, and the function of organs such as the liver and kidneys.

TCM theory divides the menstrual cycle into several phases, each linked with particular energetic qualities. The follicular phase, for instance, is associated with the growth of yin energy, whereas the luteal phase is connected with the rise of yang energy.

When these energies are out of balance, symptoms may include irregular periods, painful menstruation or emotional disturbance.

You will be taught basic acupressure points to use during a Yin Yoga practice or as additional tools within a Yoga Therapy session.

Extraordinary Channels and Uterine Wellbeing

The second workshop introduces the extraordinary channels and TCM’s distinctive perspective on the uterus as an extraordinary vital organ.

The uterus is regarded as a vital organ with close connections to a woman’s overall health and wellbeing. It is understood to be governed by “Chong Mai,” often translated as the “Penetrating Vessel” or “Thoroughfare Vessel,” which has an important role in regulating menstruation, fertility and pregnancy.

According to TCM theory, the uterus is affected by the circulation of qi, or vital energy, and blood throughout the body, alongside the balance of yin and yang. When these energies become imbalanced or blocked, a range of gynaecological concerns may arise, including irregular menstruation, infertility or menstrual pain.

TCM approaches to uterine health generally combine acupuncture, herbal medicine, dietary therapy and lifestyle guidance, with the aim of restoring equilibrium to the body’s energy systems. This is another aspect of TCM that can support uterine health and women’s overall wellbeing.

Weekly Schedule

Sunday 12 May with Theresa
Your menstrual cycle in relation to Yin and Yang energies, and your body’s natural ebb and flow of qi.
Recognising the types of exercise your body requires throughout your cycle in relation to its different phases. An introduction to self-acupressure points based on the energy pathways connected with your menstrual cycle.

Monday 20 May with Rulene
Sexual health
Self womb massage and yoni care

Thursday 23 May with Ma Akash
Yoga Therapy for PCOS, endometriosis and period pain. Yoga Nidra for women’s health.

Monday 27 May with Rulene
The menstrual cycle and hormonal changes
Yoga for the menstrual cycle
Meridians of the reproductive system

Thursday 30 May with Ma Akash
Yoga Nidra script writing for women’s health issues
Anatomy – nervous system
Cleansing techniques: Tratak for anxiety and mental clarity

Monday 3 June with Rulene
The reproductive system, hormones and female anatomy. Tracking your monthly cycle. Using natural birth control methods. Designing classes for each menstrual phase.

Thursday 6 June with Ma Akash
Yoga Therapy for anxiety and depression

Sunday 9 June with Theresa
The extraordinary channels and the uterus as an extraordinary organ. Exploring the more abstract foundations of women’s wellbeing in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Contribution

Individual workshops: R450 each
Early bird discount (full payment made before 10 May): R400 per class.

Full series: R3500
Early bird discount (full payment made before 10 May): R3200

For further information: https://shaktiyogaacademy.com/event/yoga-for-womens-wellness-workshop-series/