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WiseWomanhood School

Supporting Women - Body, Mind, & Soul

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    • Certificate Program -Women’s Health with Ayurveda
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    • ENHANCING FERTILITY with AYURVEDA by Terra Rafael
    • ENHANCING POSTPARTUM with AYURVEDA by Terra Rafael
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Childbearing Year

Deepening through Female Initiations

January 28, 2023 By Terra

You can view a woman’s life cycles as a series of initiations into a new state of being, a higher consciousness. When you look at them this way, they become more than a troublesome change. They become an opportunity for your soul to grow.

The phases that women go through are:  Menarche, Menstrual cycling, Female Orgasm, Pregnancy, Postpartum, Perimenopause, Menopause and Later Menopause.  Intertwined with these is Creativity.

These stages have been correlated by the author Uma Dinsmore-Tuli with the traditional Tantric Mahavidya or Wisdom Goddesses.  Most of these Goddesses are very fierce looking, ready to shock you out of your everyday patterns into a state of newness, making them excellent for Female Initiations.

This beautiful graph is from the amazing book Yoni Shakti,by Uma Dinsmore-Tuli,PhD. It clearly illustrates the relationship of the Mahavidyas to the Female Life Cycles:

We can use the teachings of the Mahavidya to bring more awareness to Female Cycles, making them more than physical experiences which are often uncomfortable.

If you’d like to learn from my research and journeys with the Female Cycles and the Mahavidyas, as well as from other women on the journey, join my upcoming live, zoom class in February. We’ll go beyond the mind and enter into the subtle worlds to contact each Goddess for personalized teachings.

I also highly recommend the amazing book Yoni Shakti by Uma Dinsmore-Tuli  , the major inspiration for my own work to learn more and share about her great paradigm.  She delves deeply into women and yoga and also offers wonderful womb yoga techniques for each cycle of womanhood.

Learn more about the Mahavidyas and Women’s Powers class

Filed Under: Blog Posts, Childbearing Year, How Women's Bodies Work, Menopausal Change, Menstrual Health, Perimenopause and Beyond, Soul Nurture, Woman Body Tagged With: birth, perimenopause, postpartum, pregnancy, Self Care, women's health

ENHANCING THE CHILDBEARING YEAR with Ayurveda Class Series

October 1, 2018 By Terra

Symbol of Childbearing - A felt picture of a tree growing from a placenta with a full moon in the background

Enhancing the Childbearing Year with Ayurveda Class Series

With Terra Rafael

Ayurveda adds much to caring for the childbearing year. This class covers fertility, pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. and how Ayurveda supports health throughout.

  • Anatomy and physiology of the fertility/menstrual cycle
  • Basic understanding of the physiological view of conception and pregnancy according to Ayurveda
  • Ayurveda approaches to fertility, pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum.
  • Natural family planning techniques with emphasis on fertility awareness
  • Helpful herbs and treatments for the childbearing year

This class series includes 20+ hours of video divided into 7 classes, each with a pdf of notes, slideshow pdfs, and an optional exam.

  1. Anatomy & Physiology of Female Reproduction
  2. Male Anatomy and Fertility
  3. Female Fertility Concerns
  4. Pregnancy I
  5. Pregnancy II
  6. Labor & Birth
  7. Postpartum

The text is Ayurveda for the Childbearing Years, by Terra Rafael , PACE approved class logo - National Ayurvedic Medical Associationavailable from amazon.

This class is approved by NAMA for PACE 24 CEUs can receive a Certificate of Completion after submitting their exams for review to Terra Rafael, at wisewomanhood@gmail.com

You may also be interested in Optimal Menstrual Health with Ayurveda.

Class 1: Female Anatomy and Physiology  

  • Video Part 1 – Introduction
  • Video Part 2 – Female Reproductive Anatomy
  • Female Reproductive Anatomy Slide Show PDF
  • Video Part 3 – Female Reproductive Physiology
  • Female Cycles Slide Show PDF
  • Video Part 4 – Ayurvedic View of Female Reproductive Anatomy and Physiology
  • Exam Class 1 PDF

Class 2: Male A&P and Fertility;

  • Video Part 1 and Video Part 2
  • Male Anatomy and Physiology and Fertility Slide Show PDF 
  • Exam Class 2 PDF

Class 3 Female Fertility

  • Video Part 1 and Video Part 2
  • Exam Class 3 PDF

Class 4 Pregnancy 1 -Health

  • Video Part 1& and Video Part 1.5 Video Part 2
  • Exam Class 4 PDF

Class 5 Pregnancy 2 – Concerns&]

  • Video Part 1 and Video Part 2
  • Exam Class 5 – PDF

Class 6 Labor and Birth

  • Video Part 1 and Video Part 2
  • Class 6 – PDF

Class 7 Postpartum and Newborn

  • Video Part 1: Postpartum
  • Video Part 2: Routine PP Care of Mother
  • Video Part 3: PP Concerns of Mother
  • Ayurveda for PP Slideshow PDF
  • Video Part 4: Newborn PP and Concerns
  • Newborn Slide show PDF
  • Class 7 Exam

  • Symbol of Childbearing - A felt picture of a tree growing from a placenta with a full moon in the background

    PACE -ENHANCING the CHILDBEARING YEAR with AYURVEDA Series

    $150.00
    Add to cart

Optional Mentoring for professionals will support applying the teachings to your clients.

  • MENTORING with Terra Rafael - Single Session

    MENTORING with Terra Rafael – Single Session

    $72.00
    Add to cart
  • MENTORING with Terra Rafael - 3 Session Bundle

    MENTORING with Terra Rafael – 3 Session Bundle

    $180.00
    Add to cart

Filed Under: Ayurveda, Ayurveda Categories, Ayurveda CEUs, Childbearing Year, Continuing Ed Classes, Fertility, Uncategorized Tagged With: Ayurveda, birth, fertility, labor, newborn, postpartum, pregnancy

ENHANCING POSTPARTUM with Ayurveda

July 20, 2018 By Terra

Immediate postpartum -Mother and Father bonding with their newborn baby

Enhancing Postpartum with Ayurveda

with Terra Rafael

Postpartum is a time when women can rejuvenate OR become weaker. Teachings of Ayurveda tell how to use this time for rejuvenation. When women are cared for, their digestion re-ignited, their Vata soothed, they benefit greatly, sometimes healing long-standing imbalances and problems AND their babies receive excellent milk to grow on.

This class is designed for students becoming Ayurvedic Postpartum Doulas and is suitable for Ayurvedic Doctors and Practitioners as well as highly motivated others.  A background in Ayurveda is recommended. If you are new to Ayurveda, at least take Beginning Ayurveda beforehand.

It is approved for 4  PACE CEUs by NAMA, with requirement of the exam PACE approved class logo - National Ayurvedic Medical Associationafter doing class videos and readings.

Learning Objectives – Enhancing Postpartum with Ayurveda

  1. Explain to a client why Ayurvedic postpartum care is helpful to women.
  2. List the nine principles of postpartum care with Ayurveda and why each is important.
  3. Name 5 actions a pp mother can do for a smoother postpartum.
  4. Name 5 things or actions a pp mother should avoid.
  5. List the danger signs of pp for the mother.
  6. List 5 danger signs of the newborn.
  7. Describe advice and actions to take with a clinet who has mild postpartum depression.
  8. Demonstrate knowledge of normal breastfeeding.
  9. Name three things to encourage a good milk supply in the mother.
  10. Describe vitiated breast milk and demonstrate knowledge of treating it.

Included in This Class

60 pages of  NOTES Enhancing Postpartum and Newborn with Ayurveda

Session A Video : Enhancing postpartum 7A  (43min)

Intro and Anatomy and Physiology of Postpartum.

  • Explanatory Concept: Postpartum As A Long Menstrual Menses;
  • Ayurvedic Anatomy And Physiology Of Postpartum;
  • Involution Of The Uterus;
  • How Uterine Contractions Prevent Excess Bleeding Postpartum; Normal Blood Loss; Oxytocin- Breast-Uterus Connections; Placental Site Healing And Normal Lochia;
  • Why Breastfeed Before The Milk Is In;
  • Changes Of The Yoni/ cervix;
  • Beginnings of Breastfeeding
  • Majja Dhatu- Hormonal Changes In The Postpartum;
  • Cardio-vascular system – anemia, Heart & Feet Are Permanently Larger;
  • Social Changes For Mom; For Dad; Need for social support
  • Introduction To Ysha ‘s Nine Principles Of Postpartum; Postpartum Help Needs

Session B Video: Enhancing PP – session B (49:33)

Routine Postpartum Care of Mom, tuned to individual

  • Ayurveda for Postpartum – An Introduction – Illustrating the Nine Ayurveda Principles for Postpartum from Ysha Bhu – Predominantly Vata Reduction
  • Digestive support /Agni supporting practices
  • Breastfeeding – a basic outline – including how to test for doshas in breast milk; treating for vitiated milk; the best lactation herbs according to Ysha

Session C Video:  Enhancing PP – Session C (47:26)

Postpartum Concerns of Mom, including Breastfeeding; Ayurvedic PP care helps to  prevent concerns

  • Constipation – causes and helps; ( Post- Surgical Birth special care;)
  • Hot Flashes – causes and helps (placenta cocktail – for hot flashes and prevent pp depression)
  • UTI, some causes, concerns and  prevention – helps
  • Postpartum Infection, rare but needs immediate attention – prevention (in notes) , symptoms and referral
  • Late Postpartum Hemorrhage, rare but needs immediate attention – signs ; Vaginal steam to cleanse uterus  3, 6, 9 days pp
  • Vaginal Hematoma, Prevention (in notes) signs and concerns; homeopathic helps
  • Thrombophlebitis/Pulmonary Embolism, rare but needs immediate attention, prevention, signs and concerns
  • Postpartum Depression; V pushes K or P; tendency before then more likely pp; breastfeeding hormones decrease pp depression; Herbal formulas, brahmi oil, marma points for moods & balancing hormones; normal emotions and exhaustion of pp; social group – birth lodge as prevention for pp depression; severe depression and pp psychosis
  • Breastfeeding slide show: Obstacles; Needs of BF Mothers; Milk, Causes of “bad” milk, Types of Breast milk; Ayurveda’s Classes of Breastmilk; Immunologic Advantages; Nutritional Advantages; Psychosocial Advantage; Signs Of Healthy Breast Milk, Signs and Symptoms of vitiated milk; Improving Vitiated Milk
  • Lactation Herbs Per Ysha.
  • Herbal Principles for treating breastfeeding women, “When in doubt, don’t”
  • Breastfeeding concerns – Sore breasts, cracked nipple, blocked ducts, mastitis – causes and prevention; protocols (in notes)

Ayurveda for Postpartum Slide Show pdf

Session D Video :  Enhancing PP w Ayur – D .( 51:06)

Newborn Postpartum and Concerns

  • Prakruti Of Baby
  • Newborn care with Ayurveda (slide show) –
  • Prakruti of the baby; Examples – Vata baby; Pitta baby; and Kapha baby;
  • Immediate Care Of Newborn;Newborn Exam;
  • traditional feeding until milk came in;
  • Danger Signs Of Newborn;
  • Normal Infant Stools; Diarrhea; Constipation; Herbs for Baby’s digestion;
  • Oil Massage Of Baby;
  • Babies are never left alone;
  • Newborn Habits;
  • Concerns Of Newborn (all in notes): (Newborn Infection, Newborn Jaundice, Constipation/Diarrhea, Failure To Thrive, Rashes)

Newborn Slide show PDF

Optional Test PDF – needed for Certificate of Completion

Certificate of Completion

How to Receive a Certificate of Completion

  1. Read the notes and View the Video Classes
  2. Copy the Test and email it to Terra Rafael at wisewomanhood@gmail.com or print and mail to Terra Rafael, 705 Paschal Dr, Lafayette, CO 80026, including your name and email address
  3. Terra will review your exam, make comments, and, if you have demonstrated your understanding in the exam, email you a certificate of completion which you can apply to Continuing Education Credits, such as NAMA PACE.
  4. If you didn’t pass the first time you may retake the test a second time and submit as before.

  • PP Mother and Newborn with first breastfeeding

    PACE-ENHANCING POSTPARTUM with AYURVEDA

    $63.00
    Add to cart

You may also want a mentoring session with Terra to discuss your questions:

  • MENTORING with Terra Rafael - Single Session

    MENTORING with Terra Rafael – Single Session

    $72.00
    Add to cart

Or if you are designing your own postpartum plan, you may want a personal consultation with Terra via phone or webcam.

Filed Under: Ayurveda, Ayurveda CEUs, Childbearing Year, Classes, Continuing Ed Classes, Supporting the Mother in You Tagged With: Ayurvedic postpartum, newborns, PACE, postpartum

AYURVEDA for LABOR AND BIRTH – interview with Terra Rafael

June 29, 2018 By Terra

Friends supporting a woman in labor - we see their backs as she squats

This 1 hour  (MP3) interview by Sarah Lou of BirthWorks with Terra Rafael shares various aspects of Ayurveda teachings supporting healthy labor and birth. Ayurveda focuses not only on the physical but also the energetic aspects of giving birth.

The energies of Nature flow around, within and through us – We are a part of Nature. Ayurveda teaches us how to read the language of Nature so we can work WITH Nature – crucial to giving birth.

Vata Dosha is very instrumental in how things move, how the baby will come out or stay in. We spoke specifically about the Apana Vayu or downward energy of Vata Dosha, which is key to not only labor and birth, but menstrual health, pregnancy health, fetal development, postpartum, and orgasm. Learning about it and how to care for it is crucial to all phases of women’s health!

MP3:

http://wp.me/p4iP7X-ft

Filed Under: Ayurveda, Childbearing Year, Free Intro Classes, Supporting the Mother in You Tagged With: Ayurveda, Childbirth, Labor and birth

PREGNANCY, BIRTH, & POSTPARTUM with Ayurveda

June 21, 2018 By Terra

Two very bare pregnant bellies touching

Pregnancy, Birth, & Postpartum with Ayurveda with Terra Rafael
This approx. 2 hour class covers Ayurvedic support for pregnancy, birth and postpartum. Ancient techniques are blended with Terra’s midwifery knowledge and experience. Originally presented to the Colorado Ayurvedic Medicine Association, it will make more sense if you know some Ayurveda.

If you’re new to Ayurveda, please first take the class Beginning Ayurveda.

For the whole class series, go to Women’s Health with Ayurveda.

  • Two very bare pregnant bellies touching

    PREGNANCY, BIRTH and POSTPARTUM with AYURVEDA

    $25.00
    Add to cart

Filed Under: Ayurveda, Childbearing Year, Self Care Tagged With: Ayurveda, birth, Childbirth, postpartum, pregnancy

AYURVEDA FOR EVERY WOMAN

June 21, 2018 By Terra

Women's Health for All Woman Phases

Series with Terra Rafael

This 6 hour class series will support greater women’s health for you. It  covers Ayurveda and midwifery Teachings on:

  • Menstrual & Fertility Health; (2 hours)
  • Supporting Pregnancy, Birth & Postpartum (2 hours); and
  • Graceful Menopause (2 hours).

Slides from Women’s Health with Ayurveda included for your further study:

  • Session 1 -Female Anatomy Slides
  • Session 1 -Female Cycle Slides
  • Session 1 – Female Fertility Concerns Slides
  • Session 2 – Pregnancy Slides
  • Session 2 – Labor and Birth Slides
  • Session 3 – Menopause w Ayurveda Slides

(Also available as separate classes :  Menstrual & Fertility Health  Pregnancy, Birth & Postpartum with Ayurveda  Graceful Menopause ) First offered at the Colorado Ayurvedic Medicine Association, some knowledge of Ayurveda recommended.

If you are new to Ayurveda first take Beginning Ayurveda to get the most out of this course.

  • Women's Health for All Woman Phases

    AYURVEDA for EVERY WOMAN

    $60.00
    Add to cart

Filed Under: Anatomy-Cycles-Sex, Ayurveda, Childbearing Year, Female Body, Fertility, How Women's Bodies Work, Menopausal Change, Menstrual Health, Perimenopause and Beyond, Supporting the Mother in You, Woman Body Tagged With: Ayurveda, birth, fertility, menopause, menstrual, postpartum, pregnancy, women's health

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