We are doing the MOST!

Philly Trans-Health Conference 

Last year I had the pleasure of presenting twice at the world-renown Philly Trans-Health Conference for the first time. The feedback was so positive that we resubmitted our proposals with some modifications, according to the feedback and we've been invited to return!  This time I will be presenting more formally with Shodhini Institute graduate Kayla DLR, and with two-spirit crystal body/birthworkersibling Rafael(a) for Self-Exam for People with a Cervix.  Life has a beautiful way of presenting opportunities and here we are boldly stepping into our power.  I'm also proud to present again with Ryan, LL, Perez and Kim Murray; Utilizing Midwives and Doulas to Build Health Care Access for Trans and GNC communities, AND, Community Building with Trans and Gender non-conforming doulas, midwives, and reproductive justice activists. 
We are fortunate to have our flights covered by the conference. We are in need of support for the hotel stay. If you are interested in chipping in, you can send it here.

Shodhini Institute's Next Trainings

We have the wonderful opportunity to present our newly revamped and improved 4 week training at the Lullaby Lounge, Lakewood and a private home in Pasadena.

This series will be the 11th Cohort of Shodhini Institute where we train folks in self-help (self-exam), how to understand feminist anatomy and physiology, womb loving ritual, and somatic sex education. With a small group of brilliant students you can embark on a journey of self discovery so deep, it is sure to bring you to center and reclaim your body.  Make sure to join us on our next Online Informational Session to learn all the details and ask all the questions you want before signing up for the May or July class.

Also check out our Big Cartel online store where you could find all the books we use in the training!

San Diego Birth Network Open House/Cesarean Awareness

San Diego Birth Network

SDBN Open House/ Cesarean Awareness

Dear Friends in San Diego, 
I'm honored to be a part of the San Diego Birth Network as a Sexological Bodyworker.  On Friday April 12, I'll be Skyping in from the CLPP Conference to share my knowledge concerning Cervical Scar Tissue and how I address it through Sexological Bodywork. Over the past year I've had the opportunity to work with women in Hillhurst where I maintained a practice on a monthly basis while attending midwifery study group through Birth Roots Midwifery. Please feel free to contact me if you're interested in scheduling sessions. I am planning on being in San Diego in May and July, as long as there is enough interest! 
See you on the 12th!

WhenFri, April 12, 6:30pm – 8:30pm

WhereBirth Education Center of SD, 9845 Erma Road, Ste. 202, San Diego, 92131 (map)

DescriptionPlease join us at the Birth Education Center for VBAC awareness and Cervical Support Our speakers will be Sharon Trom co-leader of ICAN San Diego,{www.icanofsandiego.org} and Pati Garcia, Trained by DONA, the Shiatsu School of California, and the Institute for Advanced Studies in Human Sexuality, Pati offers a wide knowledge of the body from a holistic feminist bodyworker perspective. Pati will be at another conference in Massachusetts on the day of our Open House but will be skyping in to give her talk and answer questions.Check her out on FaceBook as well at Chula Doula. Our guest midwife will be Heather LeMaster who will be sharing about her work with San Diego County Midwives {www.sandiegocountymidwives.com} This is a pot luck gathering, so please bring a little something to share. Look forward to seeing you there!

CLPP Conference 2013

CLPP Conference 

Massachusettes here I come!  For the past 2 years now I've been tweeted at from this conference on Civil LIberty and Public Policy "building the movement for reproductive freedom". Because my practice lays on the edge of the cutting edge, many times I am left out of more mainstream reproductive rights/justice conversations.  Sexological Bodywork is edgy and provocative because it places PLEASURE and AROUSAL front and center to 'reproductive health'. Also as a "self-helper", the notion of taking a speculum into your own hands to get to know your cervix, many times seems like a thing of the past. Let's say it can be seen as old school and irrelevant in the age of the interwebs where we can see millions of pictures of cervix.  But I have to remind you, FROM the conference people would send me tweets, asking, why aren't YOU here CHULA DOULA?  I have been intrigued on how to get in on that conference ever since. Finally the time has come!
THIS year, with the help of Ryan Pryor, a long time birthworker trans midwife friend of mine, Perez aka Radical Doula, and the incredible  LL Gimeno MSW, we submitted a workshop entitled "Birth Work for Activists!"  This collaborative workshop on midwifery and full spectrum doula care is for everyone, including current and future birth workers! We will briefly cover the following areas: abortion care, birth, intrauterine insemination, pelvic self exam, and sexological bodywork! With a historical analysis, we will make explicit the connections between birth work and reproductive justice- how birth work and full spectrum doula care has the potential to interrupt the dynamics of racism, sexism, classism, transphobia, and ableism that are built into the U.S. medical system. We will also collectively share strategies for navigating medical care and holding providers accountable. 

TOO HOT TO HANDLE!  
* Shodhini Institute will have a vendor table right next to Radical Doula at the conference!!

Sexological Bodyworker and Scar Tissue Remediation Specialist

As a Sexological Bodyworker and Scar Tissue Remediation Specialist I am able to provide bodywork to address genital issues pertaining to pleasure, arousal, pain, and numbness.

Sessions usually last somewhere between 1.5hrs to 2hrs.
The cost is $175 a session including all the materials.
Discounted packages are available, 2, 3, 4 session packages.

For Scar Tissue Remediation Only (Non-Sexological)- $80-$120, Sliding Scale

My office is located in Los Angeles at the Community Birth Center located at 2422 W. Florence Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90043.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Chula-Doula/111006655601016?ref=tn_tnmn

Here is a description of the bodywork I offer.

"What is Sexological Bodywork and Scar Tissue Remediation?"
Sexological Bodywork aims to enhance sexual pleasure -- it is a healing modality that develops tools of communication and genital awareness. With breath and hands-on bodywork, I guide you to bring oxygen to scarred/numbed tissue, enhancing physical sensation, and allowing you the potential to heal from trauma.

Sessions are safe and client-guided; For scar tissue remediation I use unbleached cotton flannel, castor oil, and a heating pad/hot water bottle followed by massage. For Sexological bodywork Pati uses nitrile gloves and coconut oil and/or water-based lube for internal work- following your story, staying with the body's tension, and letting it melt. Sessions can be simply working with external anatomy, or a combination of internal and external. Scar tissue remediation helps restore the resiliency of the tissues that have been disrupted. Significant results are felt after one session, such as enhanced breathing, relief of other pain or tightness in the body.

Types of Scar Tissue include but not limited to:

Epsiotomy
Myomectomy
Natural Tears from giving Birth
Cesarean
Endometriosis
Hysterectomy
Abortion
Cervical Scars from Colposcopy Biopsies/LEEP Procedures
Top Surgery

If you have any questions feel free to contact me and book your appointment- chuladoula at gmail.com  and 510-363-0160.

Philly Trans-Health Conference 2013

We have been selected to present at the 2013 Philly Trans-Health Conference!!
Topics we are presenting on are as follows: Self-Exam for People with a Cervix, Utilizing Midwives and Doulas to Build Health Care Access for Trans and GNC communities, AND, Community Building with Trans and Gender non-conforming doulas, midwives, and reproductive justice activists.

Last year I had the pleasure of presenting Self-Exam for Folks with a Cervix and we had such a positive response that we are doing it again. This time I hope to bring with me two co-presenters, Kayla De Los Reyes from Shodhini Institute and my dear friend Rafaela, a two spirit bodyworker extraordinaire.

Our panel on Trans and GNC Birthworkers and Accessibility also went so well that we were accepted again, and we will be rearranging the format to make it more interactive. AND we were able to get extra time to community build!! I'm proud to be presenting with Miriam Zoila Perez aka Radical Doula, Ryan Pryor Midwife, Lucia Leandro Gimeno, Abigail Fletcher Midwife and Kim Murray.

Philly Trans-Health is covering some travel costs, which we are so thankful for. We definitely need support to cover our housing and expenses. If you are interested in supporting us in our journey please consider clicking the donate button below. We are making grandiose efforts to create a national network of resources for Trans and GNC folks in the big world of reproductive justice and birth justice. That's what WE ARE DOING!

BIRTH #8- A Throwback blogpost from MySpace! 2/11/2009

Chula Doula BIRTH #8- A Throwback blogpost from MySpace! 2/11/2009

Current mood: catalyzed

Yesterday I had the pleasure of Doula-ing again. This was a first time single mama who's
main goal in hiring a doula was to avoid an unnecessary caesarean. Mission
accomplished.

The first call was around 1am. She called to let me know that her bag of waters had
begun to break. Water was clear, no foul scent, so she was in the clear to labor at home.
No surges as of yet, so she decided to go back to sleep and wait for the surges to come
on.

I was definitely on call at this point. I happened to be at the 24hr Korean Spa. Something
in me had lead me there, to replenish, refresh, and rest. Maybe it was the full moon on
the 9th. I was definitely in the space to gear up for a day of doula-ing.
At 6am she called to let me know that she was beginning to feel labor. No set pattern of
surges just yet, but at least they were not stopping. They were lasting about 30 to 40 seconds,
and were 6/5/4 minutes apart. I assured her that she was in early labor and to let me
know when they got longer and closer together and I'd come to join her.

I went home, packed my doula supplies, and took a nap. At 9am I called to check in and
she was feeling ready to go to the hospital and wanted me to meet her at her home.
I drove to her home and met her in her bedroom. She shared that she had gone on a
long walk with her mother the day before and felt that this is what brought on her labor.
Wise move! So we began to talk about her surges, she showed me how she kept track
on a wesbite called http://www.contractionmaster.com/ It's such a handy tool! I could
see right off the bat that she was still in early labor, so I shared with her the pro's and
cons of heading to the hospital at that very moment. She thought of her options and
decided to stay home until her surges were at least 60 seconds and within 5 minutes of
each other.

To cope with each surge we used different positions. One leg on the bed, like a lunge,
then on her hands and knees to relieve the back, slow dancing with pressure on her
low-back from her mother. We focused on using the surge to allow opening, I asked her
to visualize herself opening with each in breath, taking the breath down to her crotch.
Lots of crotch opening visualization!

She handled each surge earnestly, with fear, with peace, with calmness, with disbelief.
It's amazing the range of emotions and varying degrees of faith in oneself- all a woman
goes through in this intense process. My role is to reassure her strength, never giving
up on her power.

Towards the end of laboring at home I suggested that she squat during her next surge.
She felt an extreme amount of pressure in her crotch, she expressed that she felt like
her pelvic floor was being smashed. She went through about 2 or 3 surges this way.
When she got up her surges were stronger than ever. We went back to the computer to
track the next 6 surges. BAM! Out of 8 surges six were well over a minute, and ocurring
between every 3-5 minutes. She was beginning to give in to the idea that she couldn't
do it anymore, that she wanted medication. So we would focus on just getting through
the next one.

We grabbed our things and headed out to the hospital. On the way there her surges were
so strong she would tense up and yell out. Limp and Loose became the mantra. Pretty
soon she got the hang of her breathing and began to use the energy of yelling out,
inward. She began to focus on making deeper sounds and allowing her jaw to open.
We arrived at the hospital at 12:30p and she was at 7cm. The nurses offered medication
(epidural) and she definitely considered it. I just reminded her that she was almost done,
and when she's done, she's completely done. I guess it sounded okay for her to
continue, and she passed on the drugs. By 1:30p she was 9.5cm with an anterior lip. I
suggested she wiggle her hips around and around to get the cervical lip moved out of the
way. At 2pm she was 10cm and ready to push. She pushed until 2:21p and her lovely
daughter was born. A healthy girl. 7lbs 8oz, 19 3/4 in. 2/10/09.

Afterwards, mama was elated that she had accomplished such a challenging feat. She
was amazed that she got through it. She was glowing with pride and astonishment. I
was so happy to have been able to assist and be a witness to a woman's natural power.

ISO Apprentice in Los Angeles

Dear readers,

The time has come to share what I've been learning and developing for over ten years. Many folks have been asking to apprentice with me, or for me to mentor them. I've resisted this arrangement for many years because I didn't feel the time was right or that I had gained enough experience. And now after so much time and spiritual growth, I feel called to accept this request. Especially when my own community proclaims that I am ready. Thank you so much for saying these positive affirmations to me.

I've been posting on my facebook business page, the call out for interested people, and now I'm posting it here to see who else comes through.

Interviews are being held for Chula Doula Bodywork and Womb Services. If you are interested please e-mail me at ChulaDoula at Gmail. com ♥

Apprenticing would include: meeting twice a week for 4-6 hours, on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Please message me the following: Name, phone number, e-mail, how did you hear about Chula Doula Bodywork and Womb Services- hobbies, work experiences, languages, skills, cultural background, trainings, specific healing practices.

Musts:

+Have own vehicle and independent source of income

+Live in a 20 mile radius of Echo Park or Hyde Park

+Being accessible by cell phone (24/7) and e-mail (business hours).

+Assisting with interviews, prenatal visits, and postpartum visits with clients.

+ Assist with booking bodywork clients and intake forms.

+ Attending workshops and reproductive health classes, as well as additional trainings in full-spectrum doula support.

+Assisting with outreach, print and e-mail advertisements/press releases.

+Keeping track of conference abstracts, submissions, travel arrangements.

+Meeting with Pati on a weekly basis in addition to doula meetings/births.

This is a work-exchange program, when possible there will be meals and gasoline stipends. I am looking for a commitment from February 2013- July 2013.

Happy Spring Equinox! Chula Doula in the NEWS!! Love from NEW YORK!

As we move into a new season, one of wetness, blossoms, from darkness to light, light is shining down on me so BRIGHT!

I turned 32 years old on the 16th of March and found myself emerging from the subway in Manhattan, New York. Proof that my Mayan Vaginal Steam Bath is manifesting all my intentions of traveling, doing what I love, and have it be paid for. WOW.

Carol Downer, my colleague and friend passed the torch to me when she was invited to present self-exam (self-help) at the URGENT! 40 Years of Radical Feminist Action Conference.  It was just a few days before my birthday and suddenly I was being catapulted to the big city to share my love for facilitating self-exam, see your cervix opportunities!  Six women attended the workshop and were able to see their cervix, including author Jennifer Baumgardner.

http://www.examiner.com/progressive-arts-entertainment-in-national/powerful-p-ssies-an-interview-with-feminist-writer-birth-advocate-chula-doula-1

The Community Birth Center in Los Angeles

I'm ecstatic to announce that Chula Doula has found a solid landing pad to work from; The Community Birth Center in Los Angeles.  Please take your time to peruse the website
http://lacommunitybirth.com/
I am honored to be serving the community from a place of consciousness and intentional collaboration amongst truly loving people.
I will be holding office hours 9:30a- 6p every Tuesday from now through May 2012. 

THE COMMUNITY BIRTH CENTER is located at 2422 W. Florence Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90043 [MAP] Phone: (323) 541-9100

Services offered:

• Sexological Bodywork-Vaginal Mapping, Scar Tissue Remediation with Castor Oil Packs ($80-$175)
• Self-Exam Guidance /Check out your cervix! ($50-$80)
• Birth/pregnancy/abortion/sexual vitality consultations ($50-$120)
• Crystal Healing ($40-60)

http://lacommunitybirth.com/

What's Crystal Healing?

Crystal healing/Chakra balancing gives us tools to connect with our ancestral power and wisdom; embodying our full potential. The sessions will begin with an Agua de Florida cleansing of the head, ears, and neck. Then you will lay down on the massage table, set intention, and crystals will be laid onto the chakras, (hips/belly/heart/throat/forehead/top of head), then tapped according to your pulse and the primordial sound of the universe. If needed, breathing techniques will be introduced to take the healing further.

Testimonial:

"My experience with Pati's crystal healing session was exactly what I hoped it would be. During a period of transition in my life, I felt the need to re-center with the help of healing energy and Pati facilitated that process of rejuvenation with the help of her crystals and guided visualizations. Pati has a natural depth of intuition and sensitivity to energies that is rare and beautiful. I walked away feeling deeply at peace and excited for what lay ahead and would highly recommend her healing sessions to all."
~Sarah Marie

Folks usually donate anywhere between $40-$80 for this beautiful experience.  I also accept $33, $54, $81 $108..... Just get your DNA re-set already. The world is waiting for it. Contact me if you'd like to give this as a holiday gift to someone.  I book sessions in Los Angeles, San Diego and Oakland.

My First Mayan Vaginal Steam Bath

A healing practice to harness my power to manifest. It reminded my ancient self of all the ways our people healed themselves forward 7 generations and backward 7 generations. Visceral knowing of power, ReClaiming. 
 Guided by Sara Flores,
I picked my herbs with clear intention and thankfulness. Rosemary, Lavender and Sage.
I placed them in water with intentions named 9 times. I am water.
I remembered the New Moon energy, it was during her extra potent medicine. I made ten wishes.

She brought me a little bowl of dried herbs, Chamomile, Calendula, more I don't remember. She said to choose how much I need, 2 big pinches. She chose rose petals and the piston of a hibiscus for me.

The water brewed. It steamed and was brought to the toilet and the handles of the pot held it up. Toilet seat down over the pot handles, a towel around the bowl, a towel for my backside and lap, to cover and hold the steam in.
Sara said she prepared it for me the way she likes it, STRONG, because intuitively she knew its how I would want and need it.
Sara lit 3 candles with a red hue, and the blatant meditative message "self-love".  At first I hovered over the steam, felt tension in my thighs and ass, a little afraid of what steam might feel like on my vulva.  It was warm, welcoming, nothing difficult to endure. I lowered my self and relaxed into it.  The steam enveloped my vulva.  I found myself reflecting at the very act of spending time with my self, alone, with candles, and the scent and energy of the herbs.  It felt ancient, my cells absorbing the droplets of water into my mucus membranes, my cells carrying on the intentions throughout my system. I felt my vagina willingly letting go of what she no longer needed, felt the sweat drip right off of and out of me, my cellular intelligence perked up, taking in the intentions, and the same time on a conscious anatomical/physiological level noticing:

- circulation increasing in my back/heat flourishing up to my shoulders, tension melting in my back
- movement in my cheeks and entire face, like  release tightness and warmth filling my face/rosy cheeks
- i could feel stagnation in my arms, specifically in my right arm where i have an ulnar nerve injury and being able to stretch my hand better.
- I remember feeling the back of my head light up. In the occiput I could feel movement-like cerebro-spinal fluid flowing.
- The most SIGNIFICANT increase in circulation was in my vulva and clitoris, I could feel blood rushing down and around and flooding.  I felt my vulva shed numbness, fear, tension and shame.  I sensed that I was becoming engorged.
- The next night I had sex and was able to feel the slightest sensation, allowing me to savor every moment, exquisitely feeling pressure, caressing, and energy of love. My tissues were open to RECEIVE love and pleasure, and it was the least scary it's been, this vulnerability.

On a sexual level, it made me aware of all my interactions with this part of my body, sharing it my partner, lovers, myself, my last painful cycle, self-exam groups, not sharing it with predators yet having it be invaded, etc.  I took time to forgive myself for ways in which I hadn't honored myself, and in the same breath I thanked myself for pursuing my pleasure and delving into exploring every aspect of owning it all. I welcomed nothing but love and pleasure in my vagina from now on.  I thanked her for sending me messages along our wild journey together. I thanked Pachamama for allowing me to re-enter my birthright of self-healing, and healing with community. 

I thought about how I had first heard of Sara in January 2010 after a long medicine journey I took along the California Coast.  A sister of the African diaspora said, You MUST meet Sara.  I took it to heart, her emphasis on how I would connect with Sara and that it was a connection that had to be made, for the sake of humanity.  I know this sounds  over the top in some ways, like really, come on.  But for reals, that message kept coming at me for the next 22 months, every where I went; conferences, meetings, events, dear people would say, you HAVE to meet Sara.  Entonces, the time came when we connected on Facebook, interchanged via messages so succinctly and met pretty quickly in real life. I gave myself the gift of visiting her in Oakland during my thanksgiving trip with my honey Diem.  Little by little, I'm collecting my chosen family.

After my session, I took my bath to the earth and offered it back. Sara stood there with me. We laughed like the brujas we are, relentlessly reclaiming.
http://www.reclaimmidwife.com/

Pati Garcia aka Chula Doula with Erykah Badu aka e.badoula in the Huffington Post

So, back in the day 2008, I was invited to teach a 3 part series workshop called Panochas Poderosas at Tia Chucha's Cultural by the wonderfully motivated and eager youth, Karina Ceja.  One of the dates was called "Doulas and Midwives, Oh My! Birth Choices"  I basically shared about what doulas do, the midwifery model of care, and the potential to have an informed birth where you are actively involved in the decision making of your birth experience. I distinctly remember, loving to share the info with the women who showed up because I was told there hadn't been much outreach or awareness building brought to this particular community.  Luckily I had a full-time as a social worker of sorts, so I was able to do this on a donation basis. I just wanted to get the info out there and make solid connection with the community.

My point being- I remember seeing Kamren Curiel's handwriting on the sign-in sheet.  Little did I know that the workshop had affected her so profoundly that 3 years later she'd be inspired to write this article. I'm truly honored to be a catalyst for this young woman's personal birth reflection and be  recognized in the context of one of my long-time inspiration Ms. Erykah Badu, now known as  e. badoula.

source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/voto-latino/amp-the-business-of-being_b_1092762.html?ref=fb&ir=Black+Voices&src=sp&comm_ref=false

Chula Doula Goes to Midwifery School

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

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!

my summer of Sex Ed with imMEDIAte Justice

http://immediatejusticeproductions.org/blog/

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!

***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.

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.