Steaming is a universal practice that used to be owned by women all around the world as a tool to care for their pelvises and wombs. At its very core, its supportive potential is based on increased blood flow to the tissues of the pelvis. Women can achieve this by positioning themselves over ²a pot with warm water (and eventually specific herbs) and thus gently exposing the whole pelvic region to the rising steam and her therapeutic benefits . This moves stagnation, nourishes the uterus and allows vitality to flow throughout the whole pelvic bowl. Never heard of it? The practice might be also known as yoni steam, vaginal steaming, V-Steam, or under the traditional names – for example doophan ~ fumigation (Ayurvedic practices), chai-yok (Korea), bajos (Latin America), bakera (Indonesia), dukhan ~ smoke bath (Sudan).
First word coming to your mind when mentioning the word “menstruation”. Note it down. What about “cyclicality”? Any sensations coming up? What are you noticing?
Painful periods. brown menses. cramps. inflamed stitches. swollen vulva. prolapse. incontinence. infections. painful sex. low libido. fibroids. cysts. irregular cycles. heavy bleeding. loss. unbearable PMS. numbness. fertility challenges. scar tissue. boundary ruptures. anything relatable?
“Four of every five people diagnosed with an autoimmune disease are female”
Women are commonly dismissed by health system, their pains not seen, sensations not trusted. The word “hysteria” comes from the Greek word for Uterus, by “Hippocrates- in 5BC, claiming that ‘Hysteria’ was a mental disorder that pertained only to women and included the symptoms of: nervousness, hallucinations, emotional outbursts, and various sexual urges, amongst many others.”
“Women’s emotionality is a sign of HEALTH, NOT DISEASE. When we look at the symptoms – the ‘depression’, the ‘anger’, the ‘apathy’, the ‘disorientation’, the ‘sadness’ as a PROBLEM or DIS-EASE and then ‘treat’ the problem or dis-ease, WE ARE MISSING the deep, potent messages that are coming through the symptom.”
Word “period” might have its roots in looking at menstruation as a “periodic illness”.
What if we switched the narrative - and made it a periodic WELLness.
What would it take?
What if instead of looking for and trying to “deal” with symptoms, we would wish to experience more, to relate to ourselves differently. To understand the body in a new way. To bring in ritual, community, presence, trust. To set a foundational relationship for pregnancy and postpartum. To honor the periods of transitions.
If anything from above resonates in any way, or if you got triggered and question, welcome.
I am Eva, a certified peristeam hydrotherapy practitioner and somatic experiencing practitioner in training. A movement instructor and an herbalist. But first of all - I am a woman - and a mother - who has been going through her own challenges and struggles. Who was told getting pregnant would be extremely difficult if not impossible, that painful periods were normal, that back pain was something to get used to or take a pill. Who was told to apply chemical creams and gels to deal with chronic yeast infections, for years. Was told that a pill would heal her acne and be a magic solution for everything. That menstruation was not important. That ovulation matters only when trying to conceive. That living every day the same regardless the phase of the cycle and the season of the year was what was right. That moving the same way men do would be empowering and working well for my body. Was it helpful?
No. Not at all.
At the same time it has been an experience through lots of smaller dips and massive deep dives into the underworld, that motivated and fueled me to try to study and to understand female body & psyche. And to get to recognize her brilliance. And keep learning. Every single day.
Is steaming going to be a solution for everything?
No.
Is it going to bring a quick resolve to your issue?
I do not know. Maybe, in some cases, some changes can be very quick. Chances are, it would take months of dedication to yourself to address the underlying imbalances and resource yourself. Also, neither of these practices is meant to be a “quick fix'“ per default.
Why do I honestly believe every woman should know about it?
Because it is one of the ultimate self care rituals that touches our cores, our very homes, our wombs. Because it is simple and affordable. Because it used to be the practice of all women around the world.
Because what we need now is care, ritual, flow and movement, with slowness, pleasure and love.
And this, and so much more, the practice of steaming in tandem with somatic experiencing and movement, can offer.
The space & time to be with yourself. To notice. And give yourself a permission to deal with it one thing at a time, when you are ready. To give yourself tools on how to listen, how to care, how to be nourished and how to receive the nourishment. And the capacity to do so.
What I offer is :
menstrual cycle analysis and addressing the imbalances present in the body using peristeam hydrotherapy - pelvic steaming
personalized protocol with herbs suited for your individual needs
guided steaming sessions
further support using Somatic Experiencing techniques to work with whatever might come up in the form of sensations, emotions, memories.
movement practices designed to support female physiology
Testimonials
Having Eva by my side during my steaming journey has been wonderful. From the start, Eva has been compassionate, patient and knowledgeable at every step.
I have really appreciated her support throughout the process, especially because I’m such a sensitive steamer. My cycle went from heavy flooding and lots of cramps to a much more manageable flow. Steaming, for me, is a beautiful act of self-love and care and I always look forward to it!
Corinne, United Kingdom
