Detailed Program Well Women

Part 1

Part one consists of four days of tuition that provide a solid foundation on Yoga for women’s reproductive health. The course also covers the practicalities of providing and sustaining the classes.

Day One
Yoga for women’s health and well being: how does it differ from general Yoga?
• Yoga energy bodies and the notion of Shakti or feminine energy
• Feminine centring and awareness of core muscles: micro-movements and relaxed stretching in Asana for WellWoman Yoga
• Anatomy and muscles involved in sustaining reproductive health (use of visual materials) experienced through specific exercises
• The effects of pathologies on alignment and how to promote optimal alignment in easy, direct ways
• Breathing and the importance of Uvular, Respiratory and Pelvic diaphragms
• Relaxation
• Class structure for Well Woman Yoga

Day Two
Menstruation and its pathologies
• Normality and pathologies in a nutshell: what is achievable with yoga therapy (PMT, ovarian cysts, painful menstruation. endometriosis, cervical dysplasia)
• How poses can be adapted for general and specific purposes, progressing from fundamental aspects of practice to particular poses to alleviate conditions
• Restorative yoga
• Breathing techniques to access deep rest. Transformation of anxiety, anger and grief associated with pathologies.
• Relaxation
• Practicalities of dealing with women’s emotions
• Contra-indications for Yoga and best practice for referral to doctors

Day Three
Yoga for common postnatal ailments and for healing Birth trauma
• Yoga Therapy for common postnatal ailments (weak pelvic floor, scar issues, prolapse, issues around sexuality, issues around personal identity)
• Important muscles involved
• Key points about integrating traumatic experience: difficult births, still births, terminations, loss during or after pregnancy
• Principles for practice

Day Four
Yoga around the menopause (pre-peri and post menopause)
• Anatomy and physiology of the menopause. Cross-cultural aspects of menopause and medicalisation of the menopause in our culture
• Yoga Asana specifically suited to neutralize the physical effects of menopause (osteoporosis, softening of ligaments, hot flushes)
• Yoga for the emotional transitions of menopause
• Practices for enhancing Shakti in menopausal women
• Guidelines for best practice: understanding women’s life narratives
• Discussion on Diploma Requirements.

Part 2

Part 2 is a two-days including a practical assessment with an external examiner leading to the Birthlight Diploma.The Diploma is the full teaching qualification recognized by Birthlight and has been submitted for accreditation to national and international professional boards (in UK and Yoga Alliance, USA). It can be obtained no sooner than 6 months and no later than one year after completing the Part 1 course

This consists of the following components:
• Case Studies (a group case-study and a one-to-one case-study over six weeks)
• Course assignment (essay on one selected topic and a course worksheet)
• Book Review
• Practical Assessment

During the self study period, observations of teachers or therapists working more particularly with women’s health, ideally using Yoga Therapy are strongly recommended. If this is not possible, approaching medical or other professionals for observations would be helpful.

Day five
• Review of participants’ experiences during Module 2
• Collective discussion of issues raised by coursework and case studies
• Effects of stress on women’s physiology: deepening understanding of Yoga Therapy
• Yoga Asana sequences for transforming moods
• Review of relaxation

Day six
• Addressing the psychosomatic roots of many chronic conditions that women suffer from
• Review of the pelvic floor and of practices to nurture the roots of Shakti around the sacrum
• Creating inner joy as a priority in Well Woman Yoga
• Evaluation of course and sharing of possible personal developments of course participants related to Well Woman Yoga.