Our breasts and chests are, along with the pelvis and genitals, the most vulnerable, sensitive, and culturally loaded parts of our bodies. Many of us walk through the world feeling tuned out and guarded in these places at the best of times - and it’s no easier to feel present and open in times of such great stress as the ones we are currently living through.

As energetic extensions of our hearts, there is a deep well of power and love to be found in reclaiming and tending to our breasts and chests. Equally, we can strongly support our systemic immunity through accessing and optimizing the lymphatic system found in these parts of our bodies. 

In this 3 hour workshop, we will cover the basics of elemental constitutions as our framing for understanding various aspects of health and tissue presentation, discuss the lymphatic system and its many wondrous functions, and go through some simple self-care techniques for working with breast/chest/armpits as an often-neglected and absolutely vital area of the body. 

As well as learning how to touch these places in ourselves with tenderness, we will learn about about the gorgeous medicine of castor oil packing, and will learn how to work with gua sha, a wonderful practice from traditional Taoist medicine.

This workshop is offered to anyone who has a body, and is intended in particular for healthcare providers, bodyworkers, birthworkers, anyone who is/was/will be breast/chestfeeding or supporting someone who is, anyone who has or whose family has a history of cystic or fibrous breasts, and anyone who has had or is supporting someone who has had breast/top surgery.

This workshop will include:

• A simple introduction to elemental constitutions and how we can begin to identify and feel constitutional tendencies in our bodies

• The anatomy of the incredible lymphatic system

• A guided hands-on exploration of the exquisite tissues of the breasts, chest and armpits

• Demonstrations and supervised practice working with castor packs and gua shas as additional support 

Registration is a 2 part process:

1) Fill out the registration form below, AND

2) Send your chosen donation - sliding scale $75-150 USD - to us over Venmo or Paypal.

Please consider your access and ability to pay, and choose the amount within the sliding scale that is in integrity and appropriate for you. Thank you!

Venmo: Pamela-Samuelson

Paypal: mercuria69@gmail.com

(if you use Paypal, please account for the fees and add a little extra - thank you!)

Scholarships are also available as needed - please contact us to discuss!

Please note that an email with all information to join will go out to registered participants one week before class.

Facilitators

Mo Washburn (Sebastopol, CA)

Mo (they/them) has walked a service path of bodywork for the past 10 years and is dedicated to supporting folks in re-weaving together parts of themselves that have fallen out of proper connection.

They emphasize the importance of moving slow, listening and responding to the body’s many cues in the tissues, breath, energy body and directly from the guidance of clients, using her hands as well as physical tools to support shifts toward renewed vitality. Their work is deeply rooted in Ayurveda, energy work, and ceremony as well as multiple forms of bodywork.

They deeply believe in the importance of attending to the whole body with consent and stand firm as an unconditionally loving presence for their clients.

For more info: www.mowashburn.com

Willa Mamet (Grafton, VT)

Willa (any pronouns spoken kindly) had her life saved and her curiosity piqued by a bodyworker in 2009, and that, as they say, was that. Since then she has studied Ayurveda with DeAnna Batdorff, craniosacral work with Hugh Milne, acupressure and Five Element theory with Kyle Miura and Kathleen Davis (among others) and Arvigo Maya Abdominal Massage with Kayla Becker, as well as teaching acupressure and TCM theory at MacKinnon Body Therapy Center, assisting Hugh and DeAnna, and working utter magic with bodywork clients in her private practice. When she's not busy squishing and edifying people, she moonlights as a country singer.

"The purpose of this work is to support a free body, a clear mind, and an open heart." - Hugh Milne

For more info: https://www.willamametmusic.com/bodywork

Pamela Samuelson (Los Angeles, CA)

Pamela (she/they) is a certified somatic sex educator, a multidimensional bodyworker and embodiment coach who has offered trauma informed care and inclusive, empowerment-based body literacy and sex education for 24 years. She is a feminist healthcare advocate, a full-spectrum doula, the founder of the Center for the Advancement of Body Literacy and the School for Ethical Touch, the Wizard of Os at Take Back the Speculum, a writer and activist, and the proud mom of a 9 year old.

For more info: https://embodyworkla.com/about