***Call out for Donations to send me to AMC-Detroit next Week!***

Dear friends,
I want to thank the folks who've donated so far:

Thanks to Jennifer Foxworth for contributing $15 after recently losing
her job!
To my new friend and doula mama Brenda for her loving $15 :)
Paul~ your $60 is super appreciated.
Claudia Serrato, newly pregnant
mama for your precious$100.
AMC~ Incite! contributed $40 :)
To my friend Carol Downer, a special thank you for her $125 donation!

Because it's taken quite a while to collect what I have so far, I haven't been able to buy the plane ticket yet and now it's close to $500---  so please please consider contributing to my paypal @ chuladoula@gmail.com


I'm writing to share with you that a workshop I proposed to the Allied Media Conference http://alliedmedia.org/ was accepted!  The conference is in Detroit, Michigan from June 23rd-26th, 2011.  I was inspired to propose this workshop after I had attended the CIMS (Coalition for Improving Maternity Services) Conference in March in North Carolina. Specifically the workshop was called Through the Looking Glass: Breastfeeding in the Media and the presenter that moved me to action was Katherine A. Foss, PhD, Professor of Journalism, Middle Tennessee State University.  As a Media Studies major myself, I realized I have the basic skills and technology to produce short quick mini-videos. My friend Karla Chueh-Mejia insisted that I find a way to participate in AMC this year, and soon I made the connection between the need for videos representing the underrepresented and the forum of AMC as a place where this need can be co-created.

It's called, "Representing Ourselves via DIY Videos" and here is the description: Entertainment-based education increasingly shapes our views about breastfeeding, birth, and more. On TV and YouTube,
representations focus on white people in a hospital setting, extreme cases, and dependency on medical experts, thus increasing the disconnect—especially for communities of color—from simple,
traditional approaches to breastfeeding. In this workshop, we'll discuss of issues of media representation and breastfeeding/birth topics, and then work together to CREATE videos about our own experiences with breastfeeding and birth-related topics to change the landscape of what is visible and accessible.For accurate representation babies and children will be needed for this workshop, so I'm asking participants to please bring theirs, along with their knowledge as mamas and parents!

 The workshop is cross referenced in these tracks at the conference:

 INCITE! / ¡INCITE!

 Eco-Media for Survival & Sustainability / Eco-Medios para la
sobrevivencia y la sustentabilidad.

 Health is Dignity, Dignity is Resistance / Salud es dignidad,
dignidad es Resistencia.

In short, I am really pleased that my ideas and even more about the
powerful ways they will evolve and be shaped and enriched by other
people, going forward.

I am writing to ask you, as my community and as those who know my work
and commitment to it so well, to help me pay for the costs of
traveling to and staying in Detroit during the conference.  As many of
you know, I recently injured my hand.  As someone who works with my
hands, this injury has prevented me from earning as much income the
last couple of months.  So, in addition to asking the AMC folks for
some money to offset costs, and at the urging of a friend, I am asking
you to help support me directly in this work and in building capacity
in our larger community.

I need to raise $1,000 to be able to attend the conference, which
includes my plane ticket, food and lodging for 5 days.  Could you give
$25 or more toward this amount?  If you  have a mileage ticket or miles you could donate, I
would be grateful for those, too.

If I am successful in my fundraising, I will be writing and posting
about my experience at the AMC throughout my trip and would also be
glad to present a talk about the experience or to re-create the
workshop for you, your organization or community in return for your
support.

You can give a contribution in two ways:

- Through a secure transaction at Paypal.com (my account name is
chuladoula@gmail.com)
- By mailing a check to me at 5001 Lincoln Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90042

I know everyone has felt the economic pinch in some ways the last few
years and understand if now's not a great time for you to give money.
I want you to know that your non-financial support - your enthusiasm,
encouragement and friendship - has been and will always be appreciated
beyond measure.

With great thanks,
Pati

SHODHINI Workshop Series~Woman Researcher! JUNE

In this three part Shodhini Workshop for Women, by Pati Garcia, CSB. We will learn how to be able to take control of our bodies with precise anatomic self-awareness, to let go of fears, reclaim our uterine power, and live confidently. Shodhini's from the first series will be assisting.

We will meet 3 times over a 5 week period in order to research through at least one moon cycle. We will participating in group self-exam and uterine size-checks.

Tentative Outline...
First Session Sunday June 5
- menstruation/womb story sharing
- redefinition of the clitoris
- Signs of Arousal and Engorgement
-Introduction and slideshow of Self-Exam
- Group Self Exam and Uterine Size Check, for those who are ready- not mandatory.
-beginning your own Orgasmic Yoga Practice.

Second Session Sunday June 19
- Orgasmic Yoga report back
- Group Self Exam and Uterine Size Check
- Fertility Awareness Natural Birth Control Methods

Third Session Sunday July 3
- Pap Smear Discussion
- Vaginal Infections and Natural Remedies
- Massage for Uterine Health
- Group Self Exam and Uterine Size Check

Participants to bring: yoga mat, cushions, blanket, snacks, journals, item for altar.

Dates & Times:
Sunday June 5th
Sunday June 19th
Sunday July 3rd

Location: TBA (Pasadena or Los Angeles)

Cost:
$375
- includes three days of workshop (total 12 hours)

Materials(a $50 Value):
- A New View of Woman's Body book ($20)
- Hot Pants 'zine ($5)
- personal self-examination kit (speculum, flashlight, mirror, instructions, and bag). ($25)
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$350 if you pay in Full by JUNE 2nd- THURSDAY.
$300 if you pay in Full by JUNE 2nd and have all Materials.


{Class size is limited to 12 participants only}
Limited partial-scholarships are available: please inquire via contact info below.

Payment Methods: Paypal to chuladoula@gmail.com, or by check, made out to 'Patricia Garcia'.

For More Information: Pati Garcia at chuladoula@gmail.com, or (510) 363-0160.