Fertility Awareness &
Body Literacy Class Series
March 9 & 16 | 10am-2pm
at Stepping Into Wellness, Oakland
Greetings! Thank you for your interest in this journey of getting to know our bodies and their natural cycles more intimately. This course in Fertility Awareness & Body Literacy will introduce you to the beautiful science and magic of the female reproductive system, the basics of hormonal balance, and the cycle tracking method taught in Toni Weschler's "Taking Charge of Your Fertility." We will learn how to use the Fertility Awareness Method to track our cycles, which can be used for contraception or conception, or as a means of becoming more body literate, depending on your goals. The course will be offered in two 4-hour long classes. It can be attended online via Zoom, or in-person for those in the Bay Area.
Course Overview
Introduction to Fertility Awareness & Body Literacy
Anatomy & physiology for empowerment
Menstruation as the 5th vital sign: identifying signs of hormonal imbalance
Fertility biomarkers: tracking your cycle using cervical fluid, body temperature, and cervix changes
Cycle tracking techniques for using paper charts or apps
Guidelines for contraception
Supporting fertility & conception
Navigating life passages and cycle changes
Body Literacy as Eco Literacy
Self-care practices for embodied health & wellness
Honoring & celebrating our wombs with ritual in community
Course Includes
2 four-hour workshops (join in person or on Zoom)
1 community ritual & gathering
3 monthly private consultations
Informational handouts
Resources & readings
Group Class Dates: March 9 & 16, 10am-2pm
Location: Stepping Into Wellness
3220 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland, CA
Cost: $450-600 sliding scale
Scholarships are available to folks in need.
If you are interested in joining, please fill out the Interest Form below. The course has limited space, and filling out this form does not guarantee a spot. I will reach out to you as the class nears to confirm and sign you up. If you have any questions in the meantime, get in touch with me at margaretzhouacu@gmail.com.
Interest Form
What people are saying about the
Fertility Awareness & Body Literacy Class Series
Margaret is a wonderful teacher with a unique ability to deliver information in a clear, organized, and thoughtful manner. The class exceeded my expectations as I not only learned a way to naturally track my cycle but also was presented a beautiful opportunity to dive into deeper relationship with my body. With Margaret’s guidance I was able to take control of my sexual health in a more connected and exciting new way. By showing me the areas to pay more attention to I have developed the capability to take better care of myself and manage my health. I would recommend this class to anyone who wants to learn more about their body and engage in the practice of loving attention. As a non binary individual I felt particularly held by Margaret as she made me feel comfortable and safe while she worked with me on my specific needs around endometriosis. This was a highly valuable class and I am so glad I was able to take it!
— Tray
This course was a game changer for me! Under Margaret's guidance I have grown tremendously in how informed and confident I feel about the workings of my womb and what it can teach me about the rest of my body. Developing the skills covered in this course have helped me value my own observations and intuition about my body without being reliant on outside "experts" or forces to tell me what's what. Margaret creates a safe, welcoming space to share and grow. I can't recommend it enough!
— Claire
Margaret's style of teaching is SO accessible. She is thorough, knowledgable, and kind in her approach. I learned so much more about my own body and how to read signs so that I am more informed if/when I decide to try and conceive and now when I am trying not to!
— Triana
FAQ
What is Body Literacy?
Body Literacy is a practice of coupling intellectual knowledge about how our bodies work, with our lived and felt experience. Over time, the practice of Body Literacy creates an “inner knowing” of our bodies.
What is the Fertility Awareness Method?
The Fertility Awareness Method is a body literacy practice that involves tracking fertility biomarkers such as body temperature, cervical fluid, and cervix size and position. We take note of what we see on our cycle chart every day. We then use this information to make decisions about our sexual activity and lifestyle choices, depending on whether we are trying to acheive pregnancy, avoid pregnancy, or gain a better understanding of our overall health.
Which kind of Fertility Awareness Method is taught in this course?
I am certified by The Well: School of Body Literacy. The Method that we teach is sympto-thermal. That means that we use both fertility “symptom” observations (symto) and body temperature (thermal) to determine our fertility. This method is not associated with any religion. It allows the cycle charting person a high level of individual choice around how they navigate their fertile time. This method most closely aligns with that taught in Toni Weschler’s “Taking Charge of Your Fertility.”
Is this space open to me as a queer and/or non-binary person?
I make an effort to present this material in a way that is accessible to everyone who has a uterus, regardless of gender identity and sexuality. I ask that course participants respect each other’s preferred pronouns and gender identities. I am open to feedback about how course material and language could be better presented to be inclusive to queer, trans, non-binary, & historically marginalized folks.
Is this still applicable to me if I’m perimenopausal?
Yes, cycle tracking can be beneficial for identifying hormonal fluctuation and cyclical symptoms during perimenopause.
What if I’m currently using an IUD or hormonal birth control?
Many folks start their cycle charting journey while still on birth control or an IUD. It can be beneficial to gain confidence with the cycle charting techniques before transitioning off of hormonal contraception or the IUD. Cycle charting can also help with supporting the return of your natural cycle after stopping birth control.
