Yoni Steam
A yoni steam is an ancient healing practice which has been known to cleanse, heal and replenish the vulva, vagina, uterus, anus and pelvic floor muscles. Bringing harmony to menstrual imbalances, guiding you through life phases, releasing tension from past trauma and fears, increasing blood flow to heal physical and emotional scars and connect you to the radiating wisdom of your yoni.
Yoni is a sanskrit word (ancient Indian language) meaning, womb, source, abode, divine passage. Your divine nature and space to create life, although many women will not have children the yoni shakti (energy) is still present and awaiting to offer wisdom for you to shine your divine light.
In a world which has repressed feminine energy, this practice honours our past to heal our future, for ourselves and our children
Precautions before we begin, avoid if you are pregnant, after possible conception, menstruating, have an internal infection, have open sores or herpes.
This is a very sacred and intimate practice which deserves protected time, away from distractions. In the first month postpartum, I would hold Auraya to my chest and sing to her whilst I surrendered by body. This was a very healing practice which supported my transition into motherhood. After my steam I would wrap my hips with a rebozo (long blanket), lay back and breathe deeply into my womb. Now she’s 6 months old, it is completely impossible, she is a little adventurer and wont sit still for a minute. So, I make time for this practice at least twice a month, usually on the full and new moon to keep me in tune with my inner and outer world.
When to use?
Postpartum Mayan Midwives recommend steams to postpartum mothers, a healthy woman with a natural birth would have three steams within the first nine days postpartum. It aids in perineal tears, episiotomies, cesarean scarring, the release of excess fluids and the toning of the uterus and vagina. Birth is a unique and powerful rite of passage which need to be honoured with time revisiting the experience so it can be processed and loved.
Miscarriage Honouring the loss of a birth is crucial for the body's healing journey, after the bleeding has stopped a yoni stream can be introduced to reconnect to this space. It may feel that closing off to prevent feeling the pain is the only option but if you can welcome this practice 2-3 times a week, with ritual and intention, you can receive comfort to guide you through this time
Fertility Use this practice to stimulate blood flow, remove toxins and relax this area. The energy will redirect to this area, moistening uterine membranes. This can be practiced throughout your cycle but hold off during the time of possible conception.
Peri-menopause, Menopause, and Post-Menopause Though any life stage there is a need to step into the unknown and for many women there can be a strong grip on their past. This practice shows us the beauty in the inevitable aging affect on the body. The wisdom that arises from the change in hormones and the shift in focus. How will we choose to nourish this earth, this body?
Trauma, stress, ideas and beliefs link to a number of uncomfortable emotions, such as shame and guilt, it can also cause physical imbalances such as the absent of a period, painful or irregular periods, low libido, tightness or pain during sex etc this affects how we interact with ourselves and the world around us. These memories and delusions live within us and prevent us from experiencing our harmonious state. When a thought or memory arises which is uncomfortable it creates tension in the body. Any sexual or emotional trauma creates a cold block between the heart and the pelvis. Our breath is short and shallow and the diaphragm is not fully embraced, this prevents the movement of fresh oxygenated blood to nourish the yoni and the removal of toxins. When we steam we are intentional holding space for this area to release and relax, the breath is deep and with each thought that arises you notice the tension it causes in the body, with practice and patience you learn to anchor in through and remember your ability to self heal
The Ritual
What you will need:
Yoni Steaming Box I'm still currently awaiting for mine to be made by a local carpenter (not sure what he thinks it is) so for now I place a bowl in the toilet or if I am feeling up for a good calf stretch I will squat over the bowl with my hands on the sofa for support, where there is a will there is a way!
Your Herbs Need inspiration? Check out my list below
Towel, Blankets, Incense, Music, Candles anything that will make you feel held and cosy
What's Next?
Your sacred space. Set a time when you will not be disturb for 30 minutes, schedule it in each week or every other week. Clear your space, whether you have a specialised yoni steam box or you have a bowl placed in the toilet or maybe you will choose to squat over a bowl. I like to cleanse the area by burning dried sage, this helps me to tune into my intention and reminds me of the importance of the practice. I’ll maybe play some soothing music, but silence is also appreciated. It depends on my mood.
Your Sacred Self. I like to take a shower beforehand, maybe a few drops of my favourite essential oils. This is a luxury at the moment so I feel like such a goddess afterwards
Preparing your herbs. Place a handful of your selected herbs into a pan with enough water to fill the bowl you will use to half way. Bring to the boil and then simmer for 5 minutes, turn off the heat and leave for ten minutes, remembering to leave the lid to keep all the goodness inside. Another thing I love to do is, taste the tea after it has been prepared, asking for the herbs' wisdom to connect to all aspects of my being.
The Steam. You’re ready, before you take your seat test the temperature on the back of your hand VERY IMPORTANT! Drape towels over your legs to hold the steam, relax your body and become aware of your breath, relaxing your jaw. If it’s your first time, I would recommend to just be with the experience, notice how it feels, be aware of your thoughts but let them dissolve with each exhale, if you feel called to in the future, you may play music, chant, drum…. Every time will be different.
After 20-30 minutes it’s time to absorb, lay back wrap your hips and breath into your yoni.
“Giving thanks to this sacred time, allowing everything to arise, be seen and loved”
Give back after the ceremony I feed my plants with the tea and give thanks for experience, what ever it brought to the surface. It’s time to make space.
What will you experience?
Some times it is the most blissful experience, sometimes it may feel overwhelming. See thought patterns, memories, ideas, colours, images etc. but let them be, maybe a journal close by will help you to release them.
If you are not used to having time to be with yourself, the break may let you drop deeply into an abyss or it may create space for things to arise. Just being aware of this will help you to stay anchored, I like to write my intention, placing it close by to remind me of the importance of this time.
“I am with you, I know you are hurting, you are healing my love, all is perfect”
Steaming by the moon
My next blog will explore more about how honour your cycle to become familiar with the arising through each stage of your cycle, if you have an irregular or absent period, you can follow the moon.
Summer (ovulation / full moon) At this time the gravitational pull towards the moon is at its peak, when we are living in balance we can dance with the external world, receiving and giving gifts harmoniously, when there is an imbalance you may feel drained, anxious or overwhelmed. This time calls for a grounding blend. Rosemary, Dandelion, Chamomile is my favourite!
Autumn (premenstruation / waning half moon) At this time we are slowing down the pace, seeing what doesn’t serve us and preparing to release it or transform it, just as the leaves fall to the ground to feed the earth. An imbalance may bring self criticism, low self esteem and illness. My favourite blend is: Calendula and Dandelion to help ground and detox
Winter (New moon / Awaiting bleed ) All being well you can receive the wisdom from within, it’s time to slow down and replenish. An imbalance her may bring a dark, empty feeling as you try to keep going full speed ahead but your body wants to retreat. My favourite blend is : Motherwort and Rosemary (remember to avoid steaming when you are actively bleeeding)
Spring (waxing half moon / pre ovulation) This is a time to plant new seed, your body is nourished and ready to explore again. Don’t move to quickly, stay open to ideas that come through and decided what will serve you this month. An imbalance may bring anxiety, a need to do everything and anything, a search for approval. My favourite herb blend is: Peppermint and Lemon Balm
Smell the herbs and see what you feel called to, if you feel nauseous or repulsed by a blend, let it go and see what else calls out to you.
Here are a few of my go to herbs to get you started:
Lavender is a sweet-smelling antiseptic and anti-bacterial herb with soothing and powerful cleansing properties for a healthy vaginal environment.
Rosemary is also antiseptic and helps with circulating out old fluids and blood. It purifies and stimulates the yoni and reclaim or remember lost parts of your self.
Lemon Balm is an antiviral herb that helps with relieving itchiness and smells delightful.
Dandelion helps improve endocrine and reproductive health. It helps rid excess estrogen, sugars, and toxins of the body
Calendula bright golden blossoms are antiseptic and soothing to irritated tissues. It also helps ease and treat cramping and heaviness.
Peppermint helps energize, stimulate, and restore of the yoni.
Chamomile is known as the grandmother herb. It helps with relieving cramping, tension, and pain. It smells amazing.
Yarrow is a powerful infection fighter, great for wound repair, tender, bruised, stitched tissues.
Uva Ursi is an alkalinizing herb that is specific for UTI and reproductive infections.
Sending love and peace for your journey.
Danielle
This information is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered as a recommendation or an endorsement of any particular medical or health treatment.
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