“How can it be that nobody told me what was written into my bones? Maybe I’ve always known. For far too long, the treasure has been untold. Worse, it’s been told wrong. What we’ve always known - Your blood is amazing, your body divine!”
― LUCY PEACH, YOUR BLOOD IS AMAZING
How do you feel about your period? Your cycle as a whole?
Do you consider it an inconvenience, a curse, a shameful secret?
How do you relate to yourself as you cycle through these different versions of yourself each and every month?
You had been taught to honor this process for the sacred, life-giving gift that it is?
You lived in a world that venerated the seasonal cycles of the earth, the moon, and our wombs?
You had been handed this menstrual wisdom from your first bleed - to unlock the secrets of each hormonal phase?
We can’t give you that world - yet.
But we can, one by one, awaken to the power of our cycles.
We can, in supportive community, come home to the wisdom and the magic of our menstrual cycle.
We can take back this divine feminine power for ourselves, and use it to co-create the life of our dreams with the Universe.
To rewrite your cycle story,
To learn how to work with - not against - the seasons of your cycle,
To discover movement medicine tailored to each phase of your cycle…
Join us: Saturday, December 11th, 2021
Free to Flow is a daylong virtual yoga and menstruality retreat, co-created by Divine Feminine Self-Love coach Ellen Gilbert and Yoga Muse Jamie Botteon.
Why Menstruality? Menstruality is your cyclehood. We like to think of it as how you relate to your cycle - not just to getting your period, but how much you integrate both your ebbing and flowing natures. When we talk about menstruality, we’re talking about the growing awareness, even love, of being a person with a menstrual cycle. In a patriarchal culture, this is downright revolutionary. It’s about healing on an individual level in order to heal something in the greater collective.
Why Yoga? Yoga means connection. If our intention is to grow in awareness and love of our cyclical nature, yoga is a fantastic portal for this growth! Making ourselves more sensitive to our body’s needs and desires in every phase of our cycle starts with connecting inward. Roll out your mat, place your hand on your heart, take a deep breath in, and prepare to enter into a deeper, more nourishing relationship with your entire experience.
Free to Flow is for you if…
You have a menstrual cycle and identify as a bleeding person. (Not all women bleed. Not all who bleed are women. While we can’t speak to the trans or non-binary experience directly, we acknowledge all we don’t know and welcome all bleeding folks into Free to Flow.)
You feel disconnected from, and even ashamed of, your menstrual cycle.
You are curious about the 4 phases of your menstrual cycle, and want to learn more about unlocking the medicine of each.
You want to move your body each week in a custom way that aligns with your cycle.
You want to understand what happens to your body in every phase of the cycle, and why you feel like four (or more!) different people each month.
You want to relate to your pre-menstrual and bleeding self with more compassion, understanding, and practical care.
You long to step into your cycle sovereignty, and create a life and ecosystem that better support your cyclical needs and desires.
Free to Flow is not for you if…
You want to “hack” your cycle to become more productive, but don’t care about the spiritual or self-compassion sides of menstrual cycle awareness.
You’re unwilling to be in spaces with bleeding folks who don’t identify as women.
You want a basic yoga retreat where you can escape from authentic witnessing, possible discomfort, and being challenged to think of things in a new way.
Talking about periods makes you uncomfortable to the point where you can’t participate in a retreat focusing on menstruality.
What you’ll get…
Access to the daylong retreat portal on December 11th!
Tons of preparatory email guidance leading up to the retreat, and responses to your cycle questions.
Pre-retreat workbook, chock full of groundwork questions to get you thinking about your relationship to your cycle, your retreat intentions, and mapping out your ideal Big Bleed!
Cycle Tracker bundle to help you get to know your unique cycle in the time ahead of the retreat!
Access to a private facebook community with regular cycle check-ins (and loads of other Divine Feminine goodness)!
Welcome Video from Ellen and Jamie, giving you all the details for the retreat!
Invitations to pre-retreat conversations on our cycle journey!
SO many more goodies coming down the pipeline in the coming months!
Let’s Walk Through the Retreat, Shall We?
Our day together begins at 10am ET. You are welcomed into a sacred portal, where you and others have created their beautiful spaces and altars to receive the retreat magic together!
Get to know your Free to Flow community, and participate in an opening ritual.
Be witnessed in your menarche (first bleed) memory, and create your own ritual to mark this sacred rite of passage.
Share in a guided yoga flow from Jamie Botteon that takes us through the four phases of the menstrual cycle, and learn how to move in an intuitive way based on your body’s needs at each phase.
Receive trainings on the four phases of the cycle, and unlock the wisdom of each season to be able to work with, not against, them.
Make meaning of your cycle in creative, ritual workshops.
We close together at 5:30pm ET until our optional candlelit closing ceremony.
Join us in the evening for an optional candlelit yin yoga closing ceremony from 9 until 10:30pm ET.
Leave the retreat space feeling excited for your next bleed, ready to create at your next ovulation, more in alignment with your natural ebbs and flows, and with an overall knowing that this menstrual magic was the answer to a question you never knew how to ask.
Meet your Retreat Guides…
Ellen Gilbert is an international divine feminine coach, writer, meditation teacher, and speaker guiding folks to shamelessly claim more rest, pleasure, and community. Through her custom blend of wellness coaching, cycle awareness, embodiment, and mindfulness meditation, she embarks with clients on a journey to heal internalized scarcity culture and nurture their natural abundance. Her deep passion is retreat facilitation and weaving meaningful communities of powerful witnessing, like the 100+ member moon circle she founded in Albuquerque. She holds her master’s in international development from The New School and her Wellness Coach certificate from Coach Training EDU.
“Ellen is the best space holder. She helps you to find it within yourself to push through the blocks that are preventing you from realizing your fullest potential and achieving your dreams.”
-Kaitlin E.
“[Ellen] creates a very supportive and safe space for exploring my strengths and vulnerabilities, and for getting in touch with my values and desires. Ellen has helped me access my inner voice and re-learn how to listen to my intuition, which has been an incredibly empowering experience.”
- Katrin H.
Jamie Botteon is a 200-HR Registered Yoga Teacher and is certified in Buti Yoga, Deep Buti Yoga and is a Certified Group Fitness Instructor. She strongly believes in healing through movement. She is extremely passionate about helping others discover self-love and connect with their beauty within. Jamie cultivates inclusive and accepting environments for folks to move their bodies and build their mind-body connection. She believes it's vital to have a light heart, and to be able to laugh and enjoy movement!
“Jamie has such a magical soul and every time I take a class with her I feel her energy flow right through me. Her classes are so welcoming and they help me gain confidence in myself. By the end of the class I have a great feeling of release and relaxation. Such an accepting environment and I always look forward to my next class with her!”
-Ashley J.
“I have been practicing yoga regularly with Jamie since June 2020. Not only have her classes improved my physical health but more importantly peace within myself over the past year. I feel very fortunate to have found a teacher that brings her personality, laughs, and strength to every class."
-Chelsey D
FAQs
What about if I have an irregular, unpredictable cycle?
Every bleeding person and every cycle is different. You are welcome in Free to Flow.
There is so much misinformation out there about a healthy cycle length, the “correct” days to bleed on, etc. Honor your body’s wisdom and your own cycle sovereignty. Tracking can help with this, to figure out what might be causing painful or skipped periods, and to see what changes might occur due to stress (hello, pandemics!).
We strive to never shame or tell you what to do when it comes to your cycle. We can only speak to our individual experiences and what the science says generally. Take everything with a grain of salt, and remember the Big Red Rule: Your experience trumps anything said here.
I am either on hormonal contraception or going through menopause. Is Free to Flow for me?
YES! We welcome folks who are currently on hormonal contraception. We also welcome folks whose menstruation may have stopped due to menopause, as many people find working with the moon in this phase of life quite healing.
What if I don’t identify as a woman or female?
You are welcome in Free to Flow. We acknowledge that not all women bleed, and not all who bleed are women. While we can’t speak to the trans or non-binary experience directly, we humbly acknowledge all we don’t know and welcome all bleeding folks into this work.
If you have feedback on how we can do this better, we would love to hear from you!
Are there scholarships available?
If you identify as non-binary, trans, BIPOC, or a member of another marginalized community, and are unable to afford the full cost of Free to Flow, please reach out to us to explore a full or partial scholarship.
What accessibility considerations are being made for the event?
If you have an accessibility need, please reach out to us. We would love to hear from you!
Will it be okay if I need to step away from my computer during the retreat (e.g. childcare, health needs)?
While we completely understand and want to support you if you have childcare or health needs that require you to take more frequent breaks during Free to Flow, we humbly ask that you prepare to otherwise clear your decks for this daylong experience.
This is your investment in yourself and your relationship to your cycle. To get the absolute most of it - and to create a safe, welcoming space for all - we ask that you remain as present as is possible for you. That means door shut, camera on, other tabs closed, the phone in the other room, pre-arranging childcare if possible, etc.
If you have any concerns about your ability to participate, please reach out to us!
How many breaks are scheduled during Free to Flow, and at about what time?
While not set in stone, our working agenda includes the following breaks:
- 5-minute mini-break @ 11am ET
- 30-minute break @ 12:10pm ET
- 30-minute break @ 2:45 ET
- 15-minute mini-break @ 4:15pm ET
- 3.5-hour recess @ 5:30pm ET
What yoga levels are welcome in Free to Flow?
ALL levels are welcome in this yoga + menstruality retreat! Jamie is passionate about making yoga accessible for all bodies and levels. Whether you’ve never unrolled your mat or practice daily, this is the retreat for you!
Do I have to keep my camera on the whole time?
While we hope you will choose to, it is not a requirement. We understand that some beings would prefer to switch cameras off during the yoga and movement portions of the retreat, and you are of course welcome to do so. However, we’ve experienced greater levels of witnessing and self-acceptance through keeping our cameras on, so we encourage you to challenge yourself! For all other (non-movement) portions of the retreat, we will be asking folks to keep cameras on, if at all possible. Thank you!
Can I talk to someone before making a decision to hit purchase?
Absolutely! We welcome your questions and concerns via email (ellen@ellengilbert.com or jamiebotteon@yahoo.com), Instagram DMs (@ellensgilbert or @jamiebotteon), or Clarity Call. To book a free 30-minute clarity call with Ellen, click here.
What do I need to bring to the retreat?
While you only need to bring yourself, we ask that you wear comfortable clothes you can move (and do yoga) in. You will benefit from a yoga mat, any yoga props you like (or even just some pillows), a candle (or candles!), your journal, some art supplies (more guidance to come, not a requirement), and whatever makes you feel most ceremonial. When we talk about altars, it’s gathering objects of meaning to you. We will send more guidance on this to your inbox as the date approaches. We promise you won’t need to go out and buy anything! Your favorite snacks and beverages are also highly encouraged.
How can I prepare to get the most out of my Free to Flow experience?
We’re so glad you asked! Arranging to have the house or part of the house to yourself for the day would be an amazing gift, as well as pre-arranging childcare if necessary.
Talking about menstruation can be tender and vulnerable, so please take care when considering who will be within earshot on the day, and do whatever you need to help you show up in the most brave way for you!
Completing the preparatory materials, especially the pre-retreat workbook and cycle trackers, is highly encouraged. This will help bring everyone up to speed and on a level playing field when we gather on December 11th!
Starting to chart your cycle is one of the best gifts you can give yourself. In December, you can expect an invitation to a special cycle tracking challenge, so stay tuned!
Your Investment
The financial exchange for Free to Flow is $77.
Pay Nothing: Whenever you sign up, you will receive $97 off an exciting Cycle Offer!
Last-minute Sale: Sign up before December 10th to receive a free 1-hour coaching session with Ellen, valued at $100!
For too long you’ve been kept in the dark about your powerful cycle. Womb wisdom, moon medicine, and Goddess goodness have been long-buried underground. In the marrow of your bones, you know the time has come to unearth these sacred secrets and begin to live your wholeness.
It’s time to come home to the fullness of your cycle - in all its bloody, life-giving splendor. If this patriarchal over-culture won’t venerate the sacred, it’s up to each of us.
Luckily, you’re not alone. When you join Free to Flow, you’re coming home to a community of like-hearted beings who share your longing to flow freely!
We hope you decide to answer your womb’s calling. We hope to see you on the mat, with your altar, ready to learn, create, receive, and be witnessed. We hope to see you flowing freely on December 11th!
Your cycle’s time has come.
Big Love,
