Intro To Women’s Health With Chinese Medicine Herbs & Nutrition

Women are wonderful

Women are wonderful

..and we go through a lot of changes, ebbs and flows in our lives, and we are each different in many ways. We can influence how we move through these phases by gaining some knowledge and wisdom of self, our bodies, and our mental and emotional health. 

Holistic in its very nature, Chinese medicine can provide an incredible amount of insight, and tools for women at any age and stage of life. Grounded in the traditions living in harmony with the seasons, and nature, Chinese medicine (and most holistic health traditions) focus on preventative health first, and then taking action at the first signs of disharmony.  

And I have a big set of skills and tools to offer. 

In this course I draw on my 30+ years experience as a teacher, practitioner, mother...and women to guide you through an introductory course in Women's health focusing on three major watershed phases - from beginning of menses, to woman of childbearing age, to the peri and menopausal age. 

14 hour self-study in 4 parts. On demand beginning August 27th and weekly thereafter.

Follow along in the ebook! I will be releasing the ebook in 4-5 parts as we go along. 

Part 1- Intro To Chinese Medicine - Laying some groundwork

• Principles of Holistic Health

• Yin & Yang

• 5 Elements

• 8 Principles

• 3 Treasures

• Causes of Disease and more
  
  
  

THE THREE MAIN WATERSHED PHASES

For each of the three main watershed phases we will cover what is happening in a woman's body physically, mental and emotionally. Learn skills and helpful habits, and assessment tools to address the most common imbalance. We also look at the impact of social perceptions, biases and medical misogyny on women's health in our culture. 

Part 2 - Young Women (12-21) -- Setting up skills - Available Sept 12th

• Intro to Women's Anatomy and Physiology through the lens of Chinese medicine including - the Major organs and channels involved in women's cycles - Liver, Kidney, Spleen, Conception vessel, Penetrating vessel, etc.

• The physical body - breast and genitalia, etc.

• Roles of Yin/Yang, Qi, Blood and Fluids in the cycle

• How the 5 Elements and its correspondences can be a powerful tool in women's health - from understanding emotions (anger, joy, worry, grief, and fear), as well as shock and trauma and how these emotions affect Qi, Blood and Shen (spirit). Learn how the sour flavor can help move you out feeling stuck and stagnate.

• Understanding the phases of the menstrual cycle through Chinese medicine's terms. How to overlay Chinese medicine's principles to the corresponding phase of a women's cycle. For example - we focus on moving Qi stagnation before the menses, and build Blood post menses. Yes, we will discuss the moon too!

• Nourishing self and tips to prevent or reduce common patterns of disharmony. 

• Common patterns of disharmony -- such as stagnation and Blood deficiency -- how to identify them and what you can do to prevent or treat using herbs, nutrition and lifestyle.

• It’s a great time to learn lifelong skills and tools.

Part 3 - Mature Women (21-40ish) 

The childbearing years, and women's peak strength. We've been hanging out in our womanly body for some time now.  We are still the same, but different - there's a lot of that for women. During this watershed phase, when they are physically strong, there is abundant energy, and fertility is at its zenith. We will focus on --

• Maintaining or regaining health and strength. Addressing fatigue and Yang collapse, if necessary. 

• Common concerns for those who are, or aren't sexually active -- and how much is too much or not enough?

• Common patterns and complaints that may arise for those who are sexually active, and for those who aren't. How much sex is appropriate for you.

• Conception and childbearing, and motherhood and not-childbearing. (I have a separate course for fertility, pregnancy, labor, and bringing up a baby). This class will focus on maintaining strength and vibrancy, and creativity. 

• We will delve into the most common patterns that arise during this time - food sensitivities, dampness in the lower burner (bladder infections, PCOS, inflammation, fibroids). Yes, we've gotten a little older and a little more congested. Our headache or PMS patterns may have changed. Gallbladder issues are common, and post viral syndromes may raise havoc with our bodies. Let's have some nettle tea with orange peel.

Part 4 - The Menopausal Years (40 on up) -- Yet Another New You
The phoenix phase of a woman's life. It's time to revisit the Water element's tenet of "Who am I? Why am I here? How shall I live?"  We will pay attention to --

• Hot flashes and night sweats

• Regulating hormones, libido, and sleeplessness

• Weight gain, belly fat, and dryness at the same time - yes

• The wave of fluxing emotions that can arise all while we may need to chase down physical complaints from fatigue, to joint pain, dizziness, chronic inflammation, and wandering nerve pain. 

• Learn how to nourish Yin and embrace the virtues of the Water element. Is it time to shift your exercise routine to fit your current self? Maybe Yoga is a better option than body pump.

• It might be time to add in rhodiola, black cohosh and some primrose oil. 

Follow along in the companion ebook. 

• All course material is applicable to meet AOBTA (Asian Bodywork Therapies of America) requirements and may fulfill CEU’s/PDA’s for NCCAOM and NCMTMBA.

• This course can apply as credit hours in my Amma Apprenticeship.

I look forward to teaching you. 

Sign up today, study at your own pace.

Note: all my courses are on my learning platform aprilcrowell.thinkific.com. The link below will take you there.