As the Universe would have it, I was invited to be a part of a unique study group and midwifery class.
After about 2 years as a doula, I began to have vivid dreams of catching babies. They were incessant and profound. Twice Ina May Gaskin spoke to me in them. This all was happening around the time I visited Peru, and more frequent while in Cusco.
I met with a Peruvian doula and told her about my baby catching dreams, shared my anxiety about not really being sure I could handle that level of education. I had a difficult time completing my undergrad at Scripps, it took me 8 long years to graduate and be allowed to walk. Of course there is residual trauma from seeking higher education from an institution such as Scripps College. I was not sure I wanted to go through that again. Also, I was questioning if I could actually metabolize and keep the information given to me.
She asked me if I'd ever looked into going to the Farm in Tennessee to at least take the Midwifery Assistant Training, and I responded that I thought it was too far. She gave me perspective by saying, "Pati, you're in Peru right now, Tennessee is in your country." It was suggested that I take the week intensive and see how I digested the info. This is the story of taking advice from people who saw something in me, when I couldn't see it.
I returned to the US determined to get to the Farm, I was hesitant yet thrilled. Hesistant because I knew I'd be in a class most likely predominantly white/anglo, and thrilled because the material I'd be learning would be a real check-in with myself about these dreams and visions and sensations I'd been having, I'd get the chance to see if this is what I really want to do.
Tennessee was a fascinating experience, the chance to be in nature was so healing for an urban woman like me. I could feel the lack of electro pollution, I would say it made it easier to learn and take in the education. At the same time, it felt like knowledge being returned to me, something in my cells being awoken- completely different than college. And of course, the class was lacking of people of color, we definitely were the minority. You see what happens in these spaces is almost a complete disconnect from our roots, traditions, social issues, we get lumped into a general population mentality and we don't get to address disparities and our cultural differences/experiences as real information. Don't get me wrong, I understand that birth as a whole in the US is completely taken over by the medical establishment and doulas and midwives are trying to meet the needs of folks seeking alternatives, but I'm gonna be real and tell you how hard it is as a woman of color, a queer woman of color at that, to see how much my communities are not included in these efforts, we are at the margins, and we are the ones that we've been waiting for.
SO, with all that, all the realness and all the true magic and power of manifestation that I contain within me, and within my communities-- we were handed a midwifery program that works for US.
I scoped out many schools, programs, etc. for midwifery. None seemed to really meet me where I'm at, none seemed to value who I already was, and I wasn't about to jump through ridiculous hoops to get to where I need to be.
I was invited to present my workshop "Igniting the Revolution Within: A Sex-Positive Approach to Healing in the Postpartum" for the California Association for Midwifery Conference in May of 2011. I was honored to be welcomed to this space of the conference and share on a subject that is beneficial to midwives doing the work. At the same time, CAM made it a point to open the conference to folks that usually wouldn't be able to enter this specific space. Many women of color, aspiring midwives, low-income women, and doulas were invited to participate and soak in the information available to midwives. We showed up, we were a large number, there was a MOC Caucus where we were able to share our concerns about going to midwifery school, Why hadn't we all already signed up and become legit? What were our barriers? What do we TRULY desire in a program? We spoke, we shared, we were HEARD.
A few months later I, along with a select few aspiring midwives, were invited to participate in a study group that worked with our work schedules, our budgets, our interests. We accepted.
Now we have a group of approximately 10 women- WOC and Low-income folks getting together once a month for a few days to learn collectively, share food, space, energy, healing, and love- SUPPORT- to complete a study that for many people out there, they must endure in isolation. We refuse to continue that model of individualism, it is not sustainable.
We are able to keep our jobs, support our families and ourselves. We are surrounded by conscious, politically and spiritually aware and aligned folks. We've dived in head first with our hearts incredibly open, and so far so good.
We are aiming at being done in 2 years through National College of Midwifery. If you'd like to donate to my Midwifery School Fund, please let me know, I'm willing to exchange for teaching workshops and holding informative talks on anything you see on my blog or on my FB page.
I need $5,000 to enroll officially. Here is my paypal info: chuladoula at gmail.com
Thank you for taking the time to read. My midwifery program was made possible by the midwives at www.birthrootsbabies.com
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Thursday, September 29, 2011
CHULA DOULA NOMINATED for MOST AWESOME DOULA in LOS ANGELES!
This evening I find myself unwinding after my first day of midwifery school. I got a message through Facebook from my friend Sarah in Ashland, Oregon saying,"What? Nominated for most awesome doula? Why on earth haven't I seen this until now?" I had no idea what she was talking about. But apparently I was nominated for Most Awesome Doula in Los Angeles through Red Tricycle/giggle.com Here's the link, in case you'd like to VOTE and help a sister out http://tinyurl.com/6zntopa
This is a huge marker for me right now in my life. I've recently come to terms with all the effort and painful experiences I've willingly gone through in order to get where I am. This is where the fruits of my labor begin to drop, all over the damn place, to the point that a friend all the way in Oregon has to give me a virtual nudge to make me notice.
I feel honored that someone took the time to nominate me. I see colleagues on the list who have been in the field for many more years than I have, who have given birth, etc. This is for real, I'm right up there with them. Hey we'll see what happens! I could win $500 at giggle.com, a flip camera or a A Large Organic Plush Winnie-the-Pooh!
This is a huge marker for me right now in my life. I've recently come to terms with all the effort and painful experiences I've willingly gone through in order to get where I am. This is where the fruits of my labor begin to drop, all over the damn place, to the point that a friend all the way in Oregon has to give me a virtual nudge to make me notice.
I feel honored that someone took the time to nominate me. I see colleagues on the list who have been in the field for many more years than I have, who have given birth, etc. This is for real, I'm right up there with them. Hey we'll see what happens! I could win $500 at giggle.com, a flip camera or a A Large Organic Plush Winnie-the-Pooh!
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Shodhini Welcomes www.beautifulcervix.com
OMG! beautifulcervix.com is becoming a Shodhini!! She found me when looking for other righteous babes doing the radical work of self-exam and cervix love!!! I am thrilled beyond belief that she would seek me out to learn about teaching workshops and sharing knowledge with folks in a horizontal manner.
If Shodhini Institute can attract this caliber of folks on the regular, there is no telling what we could do- together! So far we have doulas, medical assistant, a master's in public health, aryuvedic healers, kundalini yoga teachers, an MC, community organizers, a labor organizer, folks working with foster care youth, a librarian, a grad school student in early Child Development, Urban Planner, filmmakers, reiki masters, gardners, dancers, etc. . . .
Stay tuned!
If Shodhini Institute can attract this caliber of folks on the regular, there is no telling what we could do- together! So far we have doulas, medical assistant, a master's in public health, aryuvedic healers, kundalini yoga teachers, an MC, community organizers, a labor organizer, folks working with foster care youth, a librarian, a grad school student in early Child Development, Urban Planner, filmmakers, reiki masters, gardners, dancers, etc. . . .
Stay tuned!
Monday, June 13, 2011
***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
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
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
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)
<>
$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.
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)
<
$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.
Friday, April 22, 2011
Allied Media Conference Acceptance!
I submitted my proposal for 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.
Here's the description of my workshop, which is part of the Shawty Got Skills Skillshare. 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.
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.
Here's the description of my workshop, which is part of the Shawty Got Skills Skillshare. 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.
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