In this work we weave together ancestral knowing, decades of obsession and research leading us to songs, poems, academic articles, data analysis, policy board rooms and political petitions. We are translators: of old texts, of plants, of oracles.
What to expect with Holistic Classes:
Cross-professional trainings
As clinically trained herbalists, many will attest to the lack of education around abortion and miscarriage within herbal certification programs, despite 1 out of 3 people with the capacity to become pregnant will have a pregnancy that ends in termination. Additionally, many birthworking professionals (from doulas to midwives to clinicians) get no education on herbal medicine. Healthcare for most people is a combination of allopathic and more traditional, or alternative methods. Trainings from Holistic focus on bridging these knowledge gaps for people working within reproductive healthcare structures.
Succinct + Accurate
Classes distill ancestral knowledge, current research, and evidence-based protocols into introductory classes and resources meant to teach the general population. Our goal is to provide accurate, well organized and easy to understand education to help practitioners, individuals and collectives to increase their bodily autonomy and community resiliency.
Practical skills
People leading workshops through Holistic Abortions have varying levels of clinical experience, community training, and actual lived experience. We know how to center and care for people getting abortions because we get or have had abortions.
We are not doctors or lawyers (except when we feature those who explicitly say they are!)
We are not giving medical or legal advice. Courses and training materials are to educate people, so they can make informed decisions about their bodies and their reproductive health.
Cross-disciplinary knowledge
While evidence-based protocols coming from peer-reviewed research plays an important role in building best practices and medical care models, there are serious shortcomings to relying exclusively on their materials. They often exclude the collective knowledge held by marginalized groups without the access or ability to create large bodies of research. Plant medicine, especially when applied to pregnancy, is inherently hard research to get approved, funded and carried out. Our materials and trainings uplift and value many types of knowledge: research, stories, embodied from all types of professionals and experts.
Current Learning Opportunities
Plants and Practices for Abortion Support
Saturday, April 20
12-2.30 pm MST
This class will be recorded and available for registrants.
Facilitated by: Bonnie McIntosh
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Holistic is defined as "Emphasizing the importance of the whole and the interdependence of its parts."
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For us, "holistic" is a way to center clients in their experience, to see them as complete beings and know their abortion is not happening in a vacuum. Holism recognizes how systems intersect and impact access, options, and safety. Holistic abortions is a model of care that understands support can be more than being a hand to squeeze. It starts the moment someone realizes they are pregnant and don't want to be. It extends beyond physical support to logistical, emotional and spiritual. Just as we experience abortions throughout our body, not just the uterus, our abortion experiences are interwoven with our relationships, culture and identity. The support we give to clients, community members and loved ones is part of that tapestry.
This class is for:
People who get abortions or have the capacity for pregnancy
People who support those getting abortions including doulas, birthworkers, deathworkers, and Practical Support Organizations
People without herbal experience
Intermediate herbalists without direct training or experience in abortion and miscarriage
Those looking to learn about holistic, integrative models of healthcare
This class will include:
A grounding in the physiology of pregnancy and abortion
An overview of abortion access in the so-called United States
Safe and easy to apply practical, holistic tips to ease physical and emotional experience
How to integrate holistic models of care and support for people getting abortions
Discussion of various practices and plants that are safe to use before, during and after
all types of abortion methods, including medication and aspirations
A chance to connect and share with others
This class will NOT include:
Herbs that initiate miscarriage or abortion
Herbal abortion formulations
Herbal contraceptive information
Sliding Scale:
$20 / $35 / $55- Payment tier determined by the Green Bottle Theory. Scholarships available.
“Being in the space felt so healing and heart-filling (is this a word?). From the minute I joined the Zoom to the minute I left. The space was held so beautifully and with so much care. I also loved the honesty of the space. No pressure to pretend you're anything besides what you are. I love that the breakout rooms were complimentary to the experience and weren't tooooo many that it felt like I didn't get anything from the facilitators. I love the flow. The content. Just yeah, best training I've ever done.”
-Student testimonial
Sacred Circles: A Collective Healing Space for post-abortion Care
Tuesday, May 21st 6 - 8 pm MST
Free to join
Facilitated by: Mariamor Pazos of @Sweetmedicinemariamor
Sadness does not equal regret. For some people deciding to have an abortion, both wanted and unwanted pregnancies, can open a portal deep into our emotional selves. We are complicated people with complicated lives making hard decisions all the time. Healing can happen at any point. This circle will not just be a chance to be seen and heard and held in your abortion story but it will also be an opportunity to learn about holding space for your loved ones and embracing the nuances and contradictions of being human. There will be time for personal reflection as well as collective listening and sharing.
From Past Students
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"I am a student midwife, and I am SO pumped to have found your page. Thanks for fighting for reproductive freedoms, educating on our horrific history, and fighting for equity within the us."
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• "I am a student midwife, and I am SO pumped to have found your page. Thanks for fighting for reproductive freedoms, educating on our horrific history, and fighting for equity within the us." •
Nourishing Networks of Care: Weekend training for supporting at home and in clinic abortions
A comprehensive online training for Accompaniment, Doulas, and Abortion Support people
July 27th & 28th 10-2 pst/ 11-3pm mst/ /1-5 est Both Days
Facilitated by: Dora Martinez, Cera Ariel, and Daena Horner
There is A LOT to talk about and we want robust space to get to know you, and let you all get to know each other as well. For that reason class times are from 11 - 3 PST on both days. There will be plenty of opportunities to move our bodies and we will also have a 45 minute lunch break on both days.
DAY 1: GROUNDING IN THE WORK AND IN THE WORKSHOP
Abortion care through the ages
A cyclical understanding of our bodies, the seasons and history
Abortion options are always changing
What do most abortions look like, particularly in the United States?
What can go wrong and how do we prepare ourselves and clients?
DAY 2: ABORTIONS ARE MORE THAN A MEDICAL PROCEDURE
Holding space emotionally and spiritually
Logistical support that really makes a difference
Holistic support, including herbs, nutrition and postpartum
Prioritizing safety: laws, digital security, community care
Taking and finding new clients
Staying present: avoiding burnout and creating boundaries
Learn at your own pace courses
Available for you to digest at whatever pace, in whichever place, and whatever time makes the most sense for you.
HERBAL ABORTION:BUILDING STRONG FOUNDATIONS
This 80 minute discussion is all about foundations and having a solid framework to build into. "Building Strong Foundations: Herbal Abx 101" is crucial for us to ground into the land and the plants through understanding how we got to this moment. We also discuss common misconceptions around safety, research and efficacy.
BRINGING DOWN THE MOON: CYCLE CHARTING + HERBAL ALLIES
Cycle Charting and Herbal Allies with FAM educator Cera Merrick and Holistic Abortions creator, daena horner. An introduction to cycle charting combined with when and how to use herbs as part of your fertility management. There are in depth explorations of fertilization, ovulation, and herbal applications.
MISOPROSTOL-ONLY ABORTIONS AND HOLISTIC SUPPORT
Presently in the United States more than half of all abortions are induced with medication. Typically in a clinic that includes a combination of two medications: mifepristone and misoprostol. While politicians and corporations and judges continue to create ways to control our bodies, we know abortions won't stop.
This class covers the fascinating story of misoprostol, miso-only protocols and holistic support and safety.
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"Your session changed the way I see abortions."
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• "Your session changed the way I see abortions." •
Andrea (they/she)
“I didn't know what to expect with the Herbal Abortion 101 course, but left with my expectations far exceeded and my heart full. It is a class that doesn't offer rote information, but rather an embodied inquiry that shifts the frameworks we use to work with herbs generally, and pregnancy termination more specifically. The storytelling format along with numerous breakout sessions create a refreshingly connective online experience, and I left the class with a vision of what my own contribution to the movement can look like as part of a greater effort of community care.”
Student Testimonials
-Alex (Intimate Wellness Practitioner)
“Change and growth starts with you, me, and a conversation and being active in your learning and truth. These classes will teach you so much about your body and the connections we need to rebuild with ourselves and communities. The slides are so beautiful and the energy and knowledge is so tender and empowering! This is the kind of connections and care we need to share and relearn together!”
