A 4-day Crash-Course In Women’s Health & Hormones

 
 
 

Female bodies are unique and amazing!

But…. They are often misunderstood, even by those who inhabit them, which is why we get super excited when it comes to sharing information with women about their own bodies! 

During this retreat, four-part workshop series, we’ll have fun and frank discussions about the realities of inhabiting a female body and share important and fascinating information about women’s health that we wish was included in every high school biology class!

This program is designed for ladies ages 14 and up who want to be empowered to understand and care for themselves mentally, physically and emotionally; now and for decades to come.

Bring your friends, sisters, mothers and daughters to join Dr. Kellie Moore, ND and Bree Dillon, E-RYT for this crash-course in womanhood!

 
 
 

This retreat will:

  • demystify your hormones

  • clarify norms around your cycle

  • empower you with self-care tools

  • reduce your angst of aging

  • connect you to your body in a positive and meaningful way

 
 

what you’ll learn

 

I. Lady Anatomy

Female sexual anatomy comprises the least investigated and most misunderstood structures in the human body. Until recently, science has only taken an interest in the reproductive capacity of these organs, neglecting other important functions (cough… orgasms?). In this workshop we’ll dive into the form and function of our amazing female bodies and how to take care of them.

(This class will NOT entail pulling out mirrors and doing any hands-on examination a lá Fried Green Tomatoes - although there are good reasons for trying this at home.) 

In this workshop we’ll discuss:

  • How historical scientific misogyny continues to pervade culture, language and women’s health (ever wonder why the words hysteria and hysterectomy share a common Greek root …?) 

  • Fascinating facts about female anatomy including a remapping of the clitoris (so much more than meets the eye!)

  • Female orgasms: myth and reality

  • The dos and don’t of personal care: pads, tampons, cups, body wash, soaps, douches, lubricants… there’s a lot that we could put “up there” that doesn’t do a body good, and plenty of healthy alternatives to be aware of.

  • Friendly bugs: hHow and why to take care of the vaginal microbiome. 

  • Why the recommendations for cervical cancer screening have changed in recent years, and what that means for you.

 

II. Period Power

So many of us try not to think about our periods, or at least to think about them as little as possible. We're trained from an early age to simply pop a pill to numb symptoms ranging from PMS to heavy bleeding and cramping, or encouraged to simply suppress our cycles with hormonal contraceptives.

But when we ignore our cycles and any associated symptoms we buy into disempowering narratives about the female body (messy, yucky, mysterious, uninteresting beyond its reproductive capacity, destined to suffer) and can miss important clues about our physical, mental and emotional health. 

Conversely, when we pay attention to and understand the characteristics of our menstrual cycle, we gain valuable information about ourselves, far beyond our reproductive status. Our hormone levels can influence a wide range of mental and emotional factors including mood, motivation, creativity, confidence and even shopping! Irregularities in our cycles can point to underlying imbalances throughout our entire body, including our gut and metabolic health. 

Rather than feeling encumbered by your female physiology, a deeper understanding of it will leave you feeling empowered, and maybe even a little awestruck!

In this workshop you’ll learn:

  • Why the menstrual cycle is considered a 6th vital sign and the clues you can learn about your health from your cycle no matter your age.

  • Characteristics of a healthy menstrual cycle: which cyclical changes in how you feel are normal, and which might be indications of a deeper imbalance?  

  • The roles of estrogen, progesterone and testosterone in our health and how they fluctuate throughout our cycle.

  • How markers of health such as blood sugar, cholesterol levels and inflammatory markers can shift with our cycles.

  • How to interpret and track signs throughout your menstrual cycle to empower yourself to both prevent and achieve pregnancy and better understand your overall health.

  • Contraceptives: pros and cons of various options, and how to safely wean off hormonal contraceptives when you are ready.

    If you are 14 - 18 years , we invite you to attend this workshop for $20 with promo code YOUTHPOWER.

 

III. Navigating Perimenopause

The waters of perimenopause can be turbulent ones as we adjust not only to a shifting hormonal milieu but also to other major mid-life changes (career moves, transforming partnerships, teenage and adult children, aging parents). With change comes opportunity, but in order to embrace new opportunities it helps to feel your best, which becomes more feasible when you have a better understanding of what in the world is going on with your hormones! 

Perimenopause is a sequence of events that is related to but distinct from aging. This process starts years before your periods stop, and this window of time is a critical one for health - setting the stage for beneficial lifestyle changes to pay big future dividends OR for minor health problems to be amplified later in life.

In this workshop we’ll empower you with information to understand the changes occurring in your body at this time, and how to foster physical, mental and emotional resiliency to give you the best chance of smooth sailing through this phase of your life’s journey. 

In this workshop we’ll discuss:

  • Stereotypes and stigmas: feelings around menopause range from grief and shame to independence and confidence, and everything in between! While there is no right or wrong way to feel about this major transition, feelings about menopause can be influenced by cultural narratives and can also impact severity of perimenopausal symptoms.

  • The four phases of perimenopause: what to expect and when to expect it

  • Lifestyle optimization: how to set the foundation for a minimally disruptive perimenopause experience.

  • Non-hormonal support for the most common symptoms of perimenopause, including insomnia, hot flashes, mood swings and heavy periods.

  • It’s not just about estrogen and progesterone: impacts of low ovarian hormone levels on other hormones and neurotransmitters, including insulin, thyroid hormones and histamine.

  • Menopausal hormone therapy: do you need it, and is it safe?

 

IV. What Comes Next - Life After Menopause

This workshop is for any woman who aspires to live beyond 52, the average age of menopause. For many of us that could be a third to a half of our life! Rather than being the end of the road, our postmenopausal years can be some of the best of our lives - a time of freedom, new opportunities, wisdom and empowerment. Postmenopausal women continue to make important contributions to society for decades beyond their last period. In fact, menopause itself may actually be a beneficial adaptation that is relatively unique among mammals, and part of what has enabled the success of the human species (just ask Ghengis Khan!).

At the same time, postmenopausal women face new health risks that are important to be aware of: the risk of insulin resistance, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, dementia and urinary tract infections all go up after our last period. Fortunately, these risks can be mitigated to a certain degree through healthy lifestyle modifications.

Join us as we bust some of the myths associated with being postmenopausal and learn how to maintain and even improve our health as we continue to live full and rewarding lives long after our ovaries have retired.

In this workshop we’ll discuss:

  • Why menopause?: the potential evolutionary benefit behind a long post-reproductive life for women.

  • Postmenopausal empowerment: leaning into the freedom you’ve earned and wisdom you’ve gained.

  • Promoting health as we age: how to take care of our bones, heart and brain

  • Sex and intimacy after menopause: keeping it fun, safe and juicy

  • Loneliness and isolation as a risk factor for premature death: the importance of human connection as we age

    If you are 62 years or older, we invite you to attend this workshop for 50% off with promo code LIFEAFTER.

 
“What an amazing experience! Kellie did a wonderful job sharing complex topics around women’s health. I’m so grateful for this knowledge and the inviting way that she shared it. And Bree’s yoga classes are deliberate and intentional - I learned something new in every class! Thank you!”
 
 

But, Wait! There’s More…

In addition to the 4 workshops, the retreat also includes 4 yoga classes plus a pelvic floor and pilates workshop specifically created to support women’s bodies. We’ll focus on how movement, breathing, and mindset can make a huge difference in how we feel. Through these practices you’ll gain awareness, intuition, and knowledge to work with your body for more wellbeing, joy, and ease. These classes will are students of all levels.

 

Th | May 30

Fri | May 31

Sat | June 1

Sun | June 2

4:30pm | Yoga

6pm | Dinner

7:30am | Yoga

9am | Breakfast

10am | Lady Anatomy

1pm | Lunch

3pm | Period Power

6pm | Dinner

7:30am | Yoga

9am | Breakfast

10am | Perimenopause

1pm | Lunch 

3pm | Pelvic Floor + Pilates

6pm | Dinner

7:30am | Yoga

9am | Breakfast

10am | Postmenopause + Closing

 
 
 
 
 

About the Retreat Location

This retreat is located in Motive’s Winthrop yoga studio located in the stunning Methow Valley. We are nestled into the eastern slopes of the North Cascades. Our studio glows with natural light and big mountain views. It’s a destination to behold!

 
 
 
 

Remote

Winthrop is a mountain town about four hour northeast of Seattle. If you’re traveling to get here consider flying into Seattle, Bellingham or Wenatchee, then renting a car to make the rest of the journey.

beautiful & inspiring

Give yourself time before or after the retreat to explore the mountains and valley. It’s May so the wildflowers will be blooming, the rivers full, and the birds singing.

 
 

community-oriented

Motive’s yoga studio is a thriving and beloved community gathering place. We trust, respect, and care for each other. And, you belong!

 
 
 
 

Pricing

$999pp Early Bird Enrollment
$1,199pp Enrollment after April 26
$89 Individual Workshops

 
 

Full Enrollment Includes

  • 4 Workshops with Dr. Kellie Moore, ND

  • 4 Yoga Classes with Bree Dillon, E-RYT

  • 1 Pelvic Floor + Pilates Session with Kelsea Cannon, DPT

  • 8 Delicious, Nutritious Meals by Chef Aubrey Jenkins

  • Complete Retreat Packet + Recipe Booklet

Excludes

  • Lodging

  • All W-School participants get 10% off lodging at River Run. Book directly by contacting: rooms@riverrun-inn.com or 509-996-2173

 
 
 
 
 
 
“Kellie is so open and kind and a perfect host making everyone feel included and comfortable. Especially those coming in without knowing anyone. Bree is open and honest and such a wonderful advocate for general authenticity and wellbeing. Her yoga instruction was educational and motivational. ”

Here’s what past attendees want you to know…

  • I'm 52 years old, and I learned at least five things about my body I'd never known before. The yoga was sublime. The group of women who came together were so empowering. Every woman needs this curriculum and experience. You. Go. Bree. And. Kellie!!!

  • Bree and Kellie put together an amazing course. I learned so much and the format was very nurturing and rejuvenating. The view was beautiful, classmates were easy to connect with, and the overall experience was nothing short of amazing.

  • Bree and Kellie are a dynamic duo. Their combined knowledge about women’s health and yoga is powerful. The W workshop was time well spent.

  • Kellie has a great way of sharing a high level of detail with precision, empathy, and humor. You can tell how passionate she is about health and specifically women's health and well-being. I left feeling empowered, educated, and hopeful. And I love Bree's yoga classes: with her deep understanding of the physical body, she guided us towards subtle adjustments that opened up poses to a whole new level. It's wonderful for the body and mind to realize there's more to discover even (and especially) when we think we know all there is to know.

  • The retreat exceeded my expectations in every way. Kellie’s talks were life changing in their content — I wish all women had access to this information! I loved the inclusion of both naturopathic and allopathic content and the fact that it all reflected the latest available research. I hadn’t done yoga in years and thought that I didn’t like it anymore but Bree changed my mind. I’ve been back to practicing since the retreat and loving it.

  • The W-school experience was both a personal and a shared journey filled with impactful insights and information provided by the facilitators and the participants. It felt empowering to share and learn in a community of supportive women who were by turns both vulnerable and strong. Thank you for providing this wonderful forum.

 
 

About Your Retreat Hosts

Kellie Moore, ND & RYT

Naturopathic Doctor & Registered Yoga Teacher

Dr. Kellie is a licensed naturopathic physician and a registered yoga instructor. She is the founder of Presh Health where she specializes in the prevention and treatment of chronic disease. She aims to guide and support patients as they piece together their personal health puzzles always starting with the foundations of good health: nourishment, movement, rest, stress management and connection to self, community and nature.

Selected Credentials:

  • Functional Medicine for Women Dr. Aviva Romm MD

  • Environmental Medicine Dr. Walter Crinnion, ND

  • Trained in vinyasa, yin and restorative yoga

Contact: drkellie@preshhealth.com

Bree Dillon, E-RYT

Experienced Yoga Teacher & Studio Owner

With over 20 years of yoga studies and teaching, Bree started Motive Yoga Co. to explore how the principles of yoga can fuel our biggest and smallest endeavors. Her practical approach to teaching empowers her students with functional and relevant movement and mindfulness tools.  Her classes makes sense in your body based on how it is designed and challenge your physical and mental limitations so you experience the freedom you desire.

Selected Credentials:

  • E-RYT 500 Yoga Medicine

  • RYT 200 Julia McCabe

  • Trained in yoga for: orthopedic care of shoulders and hips, mental health, restorative, yoga for athletes, and vinyasa

Contact: bree@motiveyogaco.com

 

Kelsea Cannon, DPT

Lifestyle Medicine Coach, Pelvic Health Specialist, Doctor of Physical Therapy

Kelsea transitioned from her clinical pelvic PT work into her own virtual coaching practice where she supports women in perimenopause to feel a greater sense of grounded vitality and control over their own bodies using tools that stem from a more feminine approach to women's health. In addition to private mentorship, she guides women within her Peri Academy (a small group cohort) to feel more confident to responding to their body's changing needs, how to restore their energy with less effort, feel fully nourished in their food & movement choices, & feel a deeper sense of balance in their personal & professional lives. 

Selected Credentials:

  • Pelvic Rehabilitation Practitioner Certification - Herman & Wallace Pelvic Institute

  • Integrative Women's Health Coach - Integrative Women's Health Institute

  • Trained in Pilates

Contact: kelsea@pliabilityhealthcoaching.com

Aubrey Jenkins, Chef

Seattle Area Personal Chef

Aubrey has a love affair with vegetables. Her food philosophy is simple: she believes in nourishing bodies with a plant-based diet... without depriving ourselves from foods that bring us joy! As a cooking coach & blogger, she hopes to inspire home chefs to cook intuitively and eat mindfully with a focus on whole foods, seasonal eating and healthful alternatives. Aubrey is also a beloved yoga teacher, avid rock climber, and life-long drummer.

Visit her blog to get excited about her delicious, nutritious food:

www.drumbeets.com