Upcoming Events
Networking Luncheon for BIPOC & Anti-Racist Providers who Support the Black Birthing Community in Colorado
Description:
Recently, I received this grant from Colorado Access to address black maternal health outcomes through a variety of approaches. I am so grateful to have this opportunity to weave together a richer connection for the providers and birth workers who are passionate about serving the black birthing community (those of birthing age) in Colorado through the BBMHCI grant. One of my aims with this grant is to build a network of local BIPOC and anti-racist providers who specialize in mental health, primary care, maternal healthcare, eating disorders and/or birth work. This group will be open to mental health providers, healthcare providers, birth workers and community partners who either identify as BIPOC or as anti-racist allies.
These quarterly meet ups will provide an opportunity for networking, resiliency building, and information sharing for providers working with black birthing people. The presentation topic for this luncheon is the benefits of pelvic rehab for mental health during pregnancy and postpartum. Pelvic floor dysfunction impacts one’s mental health as it can contribute to social isolation, be internalized like something is intrinsically wrong/broken, decrease function in toileting and sexual participation and/or cause chronic pain. This limits quality of life, daily functioning, and further impacts sense of self, self-efficacy, mood, and interpersonal relationships. Further, changes to the body that happen with pregnancy can contribute to decreased body satisfaction.
Food will be catered by The Straker's Kitchen, founded by Enon and Renel Straker. Renel's business is also an awardee of the BBMHCI grant. Her project is to provide free meals (such as the one you can enjoy at this event) to black birthing people. This will promote better nutrition and reduce the burden of cooking after the birthing experience.
Meeting Agenda
12:30-1 - arrive, mingle and grab some lunch
1-1:30 - introduction round table, where attendees share a bit about themselves and services to the black birthing community
1:30-2pm - short presentation about pelvic floor dysfunction
2pm-2:30 - network and mingle closing
Luncheon Objectives:
Deepen understanding of what the pelvic floor is and how it functions, as well as the connection to mental health
Fostering relationships between black providers and allies
Networking, resiliency building and information sharing
Gather in community to participate in conversation about the topic
About Rachel:
Rachel is a licensed Occupational Therapist, a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist, a pelvic health specialist, a social justice researcher, and the founder of Liberate Pelvic Health, a black woman-owned private practice.
Date/Time/Location:
Tuesday, March 26th, 2024 from 12:30-2:30pm
This luncheon will be held at The Den 2900 Zuni St, Denver, CO 80211.
How to sign up:
Fill out this RSVP Survey! This first luncheon is being capped at 16 people, but stay tuned for the next meeting in June 2024.
Women’s Pelvic Pain Workshop
Women’s Pelvic Pain Workshop
Description:
Pelvic pain is a lived experience many people go through and research suggests only a fraction of those people seek support. It can interrupt many aspects of daily life such as quality of life, sexual intimacy, sense of self, going to the bathroom, maintaining functional positions, and getting good sleep. People deserve support and resources to address their pelvic health concerns. Pelvic health is multifaceted and it is important to explore all the aspects with curiosity and compassion in a trauma-informed way for optimal healing. Come gather in community to explore concepts of pelvic health and wellness, engage with helpful stretches for the pelvic floor and learn a myofascial release technique for self-care.
Workshop Objectives:
Deepen understanding of what the pelvic floor is and how it functions
Overview of pelvic floor dysfunction and pain processing
Engage in a mindful movement practice to stretch and restore balance to the core while relaxing the pelvic floor for optimal engagement
Learn a self-applied myofascial release strategy to gently release tension throughout the low abdomen
Gather in community to participate in conversation about the topic within your comfort level
About Rachel:
Rachel is a licensed Occupational Therapist, a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist and the founder of Liberate Pelvic Health. In addition to her western training in physical rehab and pelvic floor therapy, Rachel has also studied more traditional lineages of womb healing such as yoni steaming and tantra/hatha yoga. Rachel values health at every size, trauma-informed care, social justice and sex positivity and strives to incorporate these values in all that she does. She believes the body can heal itself within the right container and considers it an honor to support people along their pelvic healing journeys.
Supplies:
Bring a journal/pen, a yoga mat, and a towel or pillow to use as a prop. Chairs will be available and tea will be provided.
Investment:
Early Bird $30 before 4/10
$35 after 4/10
Date/Time/Location:
Tuesday, April 25th, 2023 from 7-8:30pm
This workshop will be hosted by Areas of Growth Counseling located at 6402 S Troy Circle, Suite 340, Centennial, CO 80111.
How to sign up:
Sign up here and select if you sent a Venmo payment to @rachel-ohene or if you prefer the credit card on file to be charged.
Pelvic Floor Winter Workshop
Pelvic Floor Winter Workshop:
The fall pelvic healing workshop at Fit Collective was a hit, so we’ve collaborated to bring another workshop to the space this winter. Are you experiencing pelvic pain, urinary or bowel dysfunction, postpartum body changes, infertility, discomfort during sexual intimacy, SI joint pain, and/or menstrual/menopausal issues? Or have you been hearing all the buzz about the pelvic floor and want to learn more about how this part of the body supports overall health? Winter is an ideal time to come inwards and nurture yourself, so come participate in the winter workshop to learn tools for supporting pelvic health.
The pelvis is a central area of our body where the spine connects to the legs; it is both the most guarded and most stabilizing part of the human body. The pelvic floor is getting more publicity these days for good reason, because our pelvises deserve our love and attention. Pelvic floor dysfunction can seriously interrupt quality of life. Going to the bathroom all the time, leaking urine, constipation, general pelvic pain, or pain with intimacy are examples of what pelvic floor dysfunction can look like. All too often people end up dealing with these issues in isolation, shame, or thinking something is intrinsically wrong and there is nothing that can be done about it. But that is not the case!
The workshop will blend pelvic floor education, body awareness activities, functional movement training and breathwork to provide salient take-aways that you can start incorporating into your daily life. The workshop will explore unique exercises and is an accessible introduction to exploring pelvic floor wellness.
Workshop Objectives:
· Deepen understanding of what the pelvic floor is and how it functions
· Learn and experience how the pelvic floor and core work together
· Practice basic exercises to activate and relax the pelvic floor for optimal core engagement
· Develop skills in postural awareness and breath coordination
· Learn how to properly engage the pelvic floor during strenuous activities and exercise
· Explore strategies to down-regulate the nervous system
About Rachel:
Rachel is a licensed occupational therapist and the founder of Liberate Pelvic Health. In addition to her western training in pelvic floor rehabilitation, Rachel has also studied more traditional lineages of womb healing such as vaginal steaming, ancestral medicine, and tantra/hatha yoga. Currently, she is advancing her skillset in functional movement with the Restore Your Core teacher training program. Rachel values health at every size, trauma-informed care, social justice and sex positivity, and strives to incorporate these values in all that she does.
Details:
Sunday, February 26, 2023 from 2:00-3:30pm
$25 for Fit Collective members, $30 for non-members
Registration is open, reserve your spot at the fit collective website.
New Moon Womb Circle
Event Description:
MoonDance Botanicals is collaborating with Liberate Pelvic Health to offer Womb Moon Circles this fall season. Join us Tuesday, November 22nd at 6:30 pm for connection in community with the new moon while nurturing yourself and your womb!
The New moon is a time for us to look inward, reflect and make new plans. Let's connect our bodies and mind during this powerful time. We will sit in circle, connect our bodies with the rhythm of the moon, drink tea and create a ritual candle.
Connecting with plants, honoring cycles, and gathering as women were the primary grounds for persecution during the Salem Witch Trials. What better way to honor this autumn season, than to come together in gratitude to kick off this holiday season under the energy of the new moon. Coming together in community is a fundamental way we can reclaim divine feminine balance and is essential for hormonal reset. In fact the research even shows that meaningful female connections increase serotonin and oxytocin bonding hormones which support overall health.
Meet Your Hosts:
Rachel is the founder of Liberate Pelvic Health, a minority woman-owned company in Denver that supports pelvic health through pelvic floor rehabilitation and group experiences. Pelvic health is an area that has largely been ignored by modern medicine until relatively recently. Rachel weaves together traditional lineages with modern evidence-based practices to support womb healing and address pelvic health concerns such as pain with intimacy, incontinence, and so much more.
Candice is the owner of MoonDance Botanicals, maker, and herbalist. MoonDance is about finding the rituals in our daily self care, and supporting ourselves with products and ingredients that nourish us inside and out. MoonDance offers handmade, intentional skin and body care products, the ritual items for our daily life. As well, Candice blends herbal teas and creates custom aromatherapy products.
Circle Objectives:
Reflect on the wisdom of current astrological happenings
Sharing circle regarding how current astrological themes are embodied by attendees
Engage in grounding womb healing activity
Make a ceremonial candle for home use
Offering:
$33, however please reach out if financial assistance is needed
New Moon Womb Circle
Event Description:
MoonDance Botanicals is collaborating with Liberate Pelvic Health to offer Womb Moon Circles this October as we usher in the fall season. Join us October 25th at 6:30 pm for connection in community with the new moon while nurturing yourself and your womb!
The New moon is a time for us to look inward, reflect and make new plans. Let's connect our bodies and mind during this powerful time. We will sit in circle, connect our bodies with the rhythm of the moon, drink tea and create a ritual candle.
Connecting with plants, honoring cycles, and gathering as women were the primary grounds for persecution during the Salem Witch Trials. What better way to honor this autumn season, than to come together under the energy of the October moons and ground our wombs. Coming together in community is a fundamental way we can reclaim divine feminine balance and is essential for hormonal reset. In fact the research even shows that meaningful female connections increase serotonin and oxytocin bonding hormones which support overall health.
Meet Your Hosts:
Rachel is the founder of Liberate Pelvic Health, a minority woman-owned company in Denver that supports pelvic health through pelvic floor rehabilitation and group experiences. Pelvic health is an area that has largely been ignored by modern medicine until relatively recently. Rachel weaves together traditional lineages with modern evidence-based practices to support womb healing and address pelvic health concerns such as pain with intimacy, incontinence, and so much more.
Candice is the owner of MoonDance Botanicals, maker, and herbalist. MoonDance is about finding the rituals in our daily self care, and supporting ourselves with products and ingredients that nourish us inside and out. MoonDance offers handmade, intentional skin and body care products, the ritual items for our daily life. As well, Candice blends herbal teas and creates custom aromatherapy products.
Circle Objectives:
Reflect on the wisdom of current astrological happenings
Sharing circle regarding how current astrological themes are embodied by attendees
Engage in grounding womb healing activity
Make a ceremonial candle for home use
Offering:
$33, for one moon circle
$55 for attending both new and full moon in month of October
Please reach out if financial assistance is needed
Full Moon Womb Circle
Event Description:
MoonDance Botanicals is collaborating with Liberate Pelvic Health to offer Womb Moon Circles this October as we usher in the fall season. Join us October 10th at 6:30 pm for connection in community with the full moon while nurturing yourself and your womb!
The Full moon is a time for us to feel the expanse of our mind and then reflect and adjust as needed. Let's connect our bodies and mind during this powerful time. We will sit in circle, connect our bodies with the rhythm of the moon, drink tea and create a ritual candle.
Connecting with plants, honoring cycles, and gathering as women were the primary grounds for persecution during the Salem Witch Trials. What better way to honor this autumn season, than to come together under the energy of the October moons and ground our wombs. Coming together in community is a fundamental way we can reclaim divine feminine balance and is essential for hormonal reset. In fact the research even shows that meaningful female connections increase serotonin and oxytocin bonding hormones which support overall health.
Meet Your Hosts:
Rachel is the founder of Liberate Pelvic Health, a minority woman-owned company in Denver that supports pelvic health through pelvic floor rehabilitation and group experiences. Pelvic health is an area that has largely been ignored by modern medicine until relatively recently. Rachel weaves together traditional lineages with modern evidence-based practices to support womb healing and address pelvic health concerns such as pain with intimacy, incontinence, and so much more.
Candice is the owner of MoonDance Botanicals, maker, and herbalist. MoonDance is about finding the rituals in our daily self care, and supporting ourselves with products and ingredients that nourish us inside and out. MoonDance offers handmade, intentional skin and body care products, the ritual items for our daily life. As well, Candice blends herbal teas and creates custom aromatherapy products.
Circle Objectives:
Reflect on the wisdom of current astrological happenings
Sharing circle regarding how current astrological themes are embodied by attendees
Engage in grounding womb healing activity
Make a ceremonial candle for home use
Offering:
$33, for one moon circle
$55 for attending both new and full moon in month of October
Please reach out if financial assistance is needed
Equinox Pelvic Healing Workshop
Pelvic floor dysfunction can seriously interrupt living your best life. Going to the bathroom all the time, leaking urine, constipation, general pelvic pain, or pain with intimacy are examples of what pelvic floor dysfunction can look like. All too often people end up dealing with these issues in isolation, shame, or thinking something is intrinsically wrong and there is nothing that can be done about it. Our wombs are tight, constricted, objectified, suppressed and don’t know how to relax. A lot has happened for the collective womb over the summer months. As we usher in a new season, let us come together to honor what we have all been through and learn basic skills to support pelvic health. This workshop will blend pelvic floor education, functional movement training, breathwork and ritual to create a collective healing for the womb and provide salient take-aways that you can start incorporating into your daily life.
Workshop objectives:
- Deepen understanding of what the pelvic floor is and how it functions
- Learn and experience how the pelvic floor and core work together
- Practice basic exercises to activate and relax the pelvic floor for optimal core engagement
- Develop skills in postural awareness and breath coordination
- Learn how to properly engage the pelvic floor during strenuous activities and exercise
- Explore strategies to down-regulate the nervous system
- Participate in ritual and sharing to create a healing container
About Rachel:
Rachel is a licensed occupational therapist and the founder of Liberate Pelvic Health. In addition to her western training in pelvic floor rehabilitation, Rachel has also studied more traditional lineages of womb healing such as vaginal steaming, ancestral medicine, and tantra/hatha yoga. Currently, she is advancing her professional development in the Restore Your Core teacher training program. Rachel values health at every size, trauma-informed care, social justice and sex positivity, and strives to incorporate these values in all that she does.
$45, sign up through the Fit collective website.