The Girl Gatherings Passage to Menarche workshop series provides a space for girls to:

Learn information and facts about the stages of puberty and menstruation;
Learn emotional and physical self-care strategies for when it happens;
Build a peer support group with other girls and other mums;
Find space for mother-daughter connection and discussion around sensitive topics.

What is Menarche?
Menarche is the first occurrence of menstruation.

This workshop series aims to help girls prepare for the transition to womanhood, while nurturing the mother-daughter bond.

The workshop progresses through the following topics:

Session 1Why do girls bleed?
Introduction to hormones.

Session 2 Why do some girls develop earlier than others?
Developmental stages of puberty.

Session 3 What’s it like when you get a period?
Overview of the menstrual cycle.

Session 4 My period connects me with nature.
Cycling with the moon; how the menstrual cycle can affect your emotions.

Session 5 What if I get my period?
Making a period pack, self care strategies AND Celebration!

Each session consists of:

Fun activities
Information and facts
Guided discussion
Circle sharing
Craft

The final session includes a celebration for all participants and special tokens for those who have received their menstruation during the year.

What age should my daughter be to participate?
These workshops are open to girls aged 9-15 years old.

Generally, if the breast buds are beginning to form, that is a good indicator of readiness.

Girls who were not able to complete the series last year are welcome to re-enroll.

Facilitator:
Cyena Caruana is a Mum, Homeopath and Naturopath who has completed facilitator training with Red Tent Australia.

Cyena has a double degree in Health Science and has extensive knowledge of the female reproductive system and women's health. She majored in Homeopathic management of women's reproductive pathology while studying with Endeavour College of Natural Health. As part of her practice as a Homeopath and Naturopath, Cyena consults with women and young girls to assist with hormone regulation, fertility, addressing reproductive pathology and supporting mental and emotional wellbeing, among other health issues.

Cyena has previously held a series of workshops and events for Samford Red Tent; including women’s circles, maiden circles, menstruation education workshops and Mother/Daughter events. Cyena has also undertaken the Rites of Passage training (Maiden-Crone) with Tanishka Moon Woman.

Cyena has a passion for creating sacred spaces for women to gather, and believes in the importance of helping young girls to embrace their transition to womanhood through positive role-modelling, support, connection and deep-honouring of self.

Girl Gatherings is a passion project that has grown out of Cyena's previous work as well as the intentions and wishes of many passionate mothers wanting to cultivate a safe space for our daughters to experience sisterhood and belonging.

Venue:
YogaSol studios (Ferny Grove)

When:
Dates for 2022
Saturdays, 2-5pm
12 March
04 June
16 July
27 August
22 October

Who can attend?
This event is open to girls aged 9-15yrs.

It is at your discretion as to whether your daughter is ready for the content presented in this workshop or not. If your daughter is merely curious and is not showing physical signs of budding, it may be better to wait. It is intended that this workshop series will run again next year as well.

This workshop is ideal for girls and their mothers. However, if another female guardian, aunty, grandmother, or friend is deemed more suited to accompany and participate, they are also welcome.

While we are transgender-friendly, much of the content of this workshop centres around the female reproductive system and fertility, and so it is up to your discretion as to whether a parent or guardian identifying as transgender is suited to accompany a girl in the context of this workshop. Adult participants will be invited to share about their female experience of puberty and menstruation with the girls at different stages of the workshop. Please contact Cyena to discuss if uncertain.

COST
The total cost of the workshop series is $350; this includes 5 workshops, all materials and afternoon tea.

Only one ticket per mother/daughter pair is required.

COVID
Due to COVID restrictions on numbers for the room, we have a maximum capacity of 25 tickets available for this event.

Seating placement will ensure a minimum of 1.5m distancing between pairs.

Hand sanitiser and hand washing facilities will be available. BYO mask at your preference.

If, for unforseen circumstances related to COVID19 mandates from Queensland Health (e.g. lockdown), or in the event that the facilitator is unwell, the workshop cannot take place on the scheduled date, the workshop date will be rescheduled.