Conscious Fertility Series
1
Orientation and Overview
In the first class, I'll introduce you to...
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myself, an AFAP-certified Fertility Awareness and Sexual Health Educator
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the history and spectrum of Fertility Awareness Based Methods (FABMs), and why I've chosen to teach the method taught by The Well
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the health benefits of a personalized Fertility Awareness practice
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the reality and risks associated with using it as contraception
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key words and techniques that will be explored during future lessons (e.g., menstrual cycle, cervical fluid, basal body temperature, etc.)
2
Anatomy and Physiology of Reproduction
Our second class is all about acknowledging our reproductive anatomy and physiology—in a way that goes deeper than your middle school sex education class. You'll learn something new, I promise! We'll cover...
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the male reproductive system
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the female reproductive system
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female arousal anatomy and physiology
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female cycle physiology (i.e., why our hormone levels change each day)
This class includes homework due by Class 3: simply enjoy a 20-minute video demonstrating the many different kinds of cervical fluid your body can make.
3
The Method, by The Well
Class 3 focuses on the nuances of this specific FAM that I teach, called "Cycle Mapping." To make sure you understand the implications of the method, we'll start with a Q&A based on your homework video. After that, we'll discuss...
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cervical fluid (CF) technique (how to check your own CF)​
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basal body temperature (BBT) technique (how to get accurate temps)
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cervical check technique (how to find and measure your cervix)
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other signs that you are potentially fertile or infertile on a given day
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whether to chart on paper or in an app
4
Application of the Method
By the fourth class, we have covered everything you need to know about the Cycle Mapping Method. Now we talk practically about how to apply what we've learned and turn this practice into something that fits seamlessly into your lifestyle. We'll also revisit the many ways tracking our menstrual cycles can guide us through various phases of our life:
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contraception
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conception
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menarche
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perimenopause
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hormonal imbalances
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other physical deficiencies or imbalances
For homework, you will fill out a few sample cycle charts as if they were your own. This will help you identify gaps in your understanding of Cycle Mapping.
5
Wrap-up and Follow-up
Now we get to edit sample charts—the previous week's homework—and visually review the different kinds of cervical fluid you might see in your practice of Cycle Mapping. To conclude, we'll discuss the next chapter of your Fertility Awareness journey, which for most of you will include...
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monthly private consultations over the next 3 months
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real-life application of the charting practice, in which you record your observations to be shared during our consults
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personal study of topics of interest (I can provide resources upon request)
6
Private Consultations
Three monthly consults (up to 90 minutes each) are included in the purchase of the class series. Any additional consults will be charged at $40 per hour. The content and direction of our one-on-one meetings will depend mostly on your preferences and desires, but usually, they go something like this:
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How are you, in general?
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How did you feel about your charting practice this last cycle? Do you have questions or concerns about your chart?
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Let's take time to make some corrections to your FAM practice by reviewing your chart.
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I read over your intake, and here are some things I'd like to discuss with you in future meetings, if you're open to it.
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How did today's discussion land with you? Do you have anything specific you'd like to put on the agenda for our next visit?
Decoding Your Cycles for Better Health
Body Confidence Series
1
Parent Orientation
As an educator, I have four main goals for Parent Orientation:
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Provide parents with awareness of what their daughter will be taught
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Give parents a chance to ask questions about class content and structure
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Receive feedback and concerns from parents to optimize learning
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Take care of administrative details like consent forms and contact info
You can expect this orientation to last about 90 minutes, but I am always willing to spend extra time on a topic for the parents who need it.
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There are three different classes for three different age groups. All class titles are the same, but the depth of content and discussion topics are catered to the maturity and physical experience of each age group:
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ages 10–12 - At this age, girls usually start puberty and experience an intense rewiring of the brain, which can cause natural but sometimes surprising changes in their social interests, motivation, independence, and memory function. This is also a common age for eating disorders to arise.
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ages 13–15 - At this age, most girls have had their first period and are developing quickly toward sexual maturity, physically and emotionally. They are biologically wired to distance themselves from you as they approach adulthood—but they still need you more than they know!
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ages 16–18 - This age group is often given a healthy amount of freedom now that they are almost adults: they can drive, go out on dates, shop, work a part- or full-time job—all on their own. This makes a good education essential as they get ready to make life-changing decisions.
2
Youth Orientation
Orientation is a chance for the girls to get to know each other and create a safe space where we set common goals and expectations for our joint learning. Talking about our bodies, even in a hypothetical or academic way, can feel scary—but these group situations give us great opportunities to exercise empathy, thoughtfulness, vulnerability, trust, and inner confidence.​
3
Gut Health and Stress Management
Ages 10–12: 60 minutes
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What is the gut?
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What role does it play in our health and how do we nourish it?
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What is stress and how does it manifest in our bodies?
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How can we manage stress in healthy ways?
Ages 13–15: 90 minutes
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Same as content for ages 10–12
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In addition, we discuss the importance of blood sugar regulation and its connection with gut health and stress
Ages 16–18: 90 minutes
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Same as content for ages 13–15
4
Toxic Avoidance and Safe Detoxing
Ages 10–12: 60 minutes
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What are environmental toxins and how do they affect us?
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What is within our control, and how can we help our bodies to heal from exposure that we can't control?
Ages 13–15: 90 minutes
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Same as content for ages 10–12
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In addition, we'll do a "label literacy" lesson, where we investigate real product labels and what ingredients should be red flags for health
Ages 16–18: 90 minutes
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Same as content for ages 13–15
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If there's time, we'll do a discussion about practical implementation of my recommended daily detox habits
5
Puberty and Feminine Self-Care
Ages 10–12: 90 minutes
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Most girls in this category are in the beginning stages of puberty. We'll maintain our focus around the basics of female anatomy and how to prepare (mentally and physically) for the inevitable coming changes: breast development, menstruation, body hair, body odor, and skin changes, and the sometimes-intense neurological growth that coincides with this time of life.
Ages 13–15: 120 minutes
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We briefly review the material from the class for ages 10–12, including hygiene and reproductive anatomy and physiology
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What period products are available, and how do I choose the right one?
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How do I know if my menstrual cycles are healthy? What patterns might I notice within my cycles that signal an imbalance?
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We discuss the social and relational shifts that accompany a growing sense of independence, and how to set and maintain boundaries in our relationships.
Ages 16–18: 120 minutes
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Same as content for ages 13–15
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At this age, it's normal to be curious about sexuality and how they personally fit in to this new and likely permanent transition—because regardless of whether one is choosing to have sex, we are designed to be sexual beings. We experience strong emotions, thoughts, impulses, and physiological reactions that are influenced by friendships, flirtations, fantasies, advertisements, movies and TV, literature, and more. With this age group, I feel it appropriate and important to normalize sexual feelings and discuss as a group how to set boundaries (both physical and emotional) for ourselves and within relationships.
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Because sex and sexuality are important and sacred topics that may be viewed differently depending on the household, I take special care on the night of Parent Orientation to discuss with parents how deep they want me to take this topic. Depending on the audience, here are some topics that I'm open to discussing, with parental consent:
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assault and harassment - what it is and how to respond​
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sexual consent - what that looks like
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masturbation - what it is and how to discuss with your parent(s)
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pornography - how to recognize it and why to avoid it
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sexual addiction - what it is and how to get help
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Body Literacy for Youth
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Apply Now
Submitting an application does NOT guarantee your spot in the course, but it DOES provide you and I with a chance to connect. If this topic at all interests you, please apply here!