Our Part Two Training is a 9 day immersion to focus on integration and embodiment supporting both the practical and sacred aspects of this work. The Ghana Immersion is an All Black Cohort.
I have been dreaming up this “training” for years now. I say “training” because truly it is so much more than that. This is a ceremony, an initiation into authentic traditional sovereign birth work. You will arrive at least 2 days before so that you can have time to travel, get settled and, rest. Then, on the morning of December 11th we will begin.
We will cover 4 pillars:
The Art of Holding Space
Tactile Support
Ceremony
Herbs and Nutrition
Each day, we will focus on each pillar and move through the self, pregnancy, birth, and postpartum throughout our time together. We will begin with the self, then move through pregnancy, birth, and wrap up with postpartum. This isn't a lecture based teaching experience. Instead, I will be incorporating story telling, role playing, demonstrations, and our bodies throughout our time together. I am extremely intentional about how I deliver this curriculum. This isn't a carbon copy, cut and paste outline. That's not how I learned to be a birth worker, therefore it's not how I teach.
The learning environment is engulfed in Spirit. We will move between urban and more rural spaces throughout our time.
No matter where we are physically, we build an intentional container that cultivates a safer space for people to feel nurtured within their learning process. This is a space for you to feel held and explore what it feels like to listen to your self and meeting your needs. This is a space for our hearts to open up and soften, to get inspired, spark our creative nature and conscious connection with our Ancestors.
Your flight, visa, vaccines/exemption forms, having your own emergency fund money, navigating currency exchange and cash, toiletries, transportation before and after designated pick up and drop off locations on 12/11 and 12/21.
You are responsible for your own actions and energy during our time together. We'll be in a group setting and it is your responsibility for you to take care of your own needs so you can be present and show up as your most authentic self. Please keep in mind that we will be covering topics that may be activating and stimulating and unlike within our online training we will be witnessed by strangers at that. This may bring up moments of feeling extremely vulnerable so please be mindful of your tools, your capacity and your resources. You are also responsible to respectfully communicate any needs that come up before or during the retreat. Please note that we are curating an experience for the collective, this means that we will be working together to unsure that everyone feels safe, heard and seen. It is our highest intention that we also move with integrity, compassion and understanding.
December is the busiest month of the year in Ghana so we move with a tighter weave. Please read the community agreements closely when you secure your spot and are invited to complete a few forms.
Yes, your children are welcome!
Yes, childcare is provided! (cost is based on the number of children and ages)
Yes, your family is welcome! (additional cost for each person)
When you invest in yourself, you are investing in the collective. The deposit is non-refundable because your monetary commitment is an act of devotion to the abundance, prosperity and intentional living that we are affirming for healers, wisdom keepers, and sacred entrepreneurs of all kinds. Your investment sustains the Sumi’s Touch Team (mothers of color, healers and creatives) and facilitates conscious discernment around where we are hosted, who is pouring their energy into our food, providing safe passage, etc.
If for some reason you are not able to attend the Part 2 Immersion you have selected due to unforeseen circumstances or you are more than 7 days late on a payment, your reservation will be given the next person on the waitlist. Up to $500 of any additional installments can be applied to a Sumi’s Touch Offering within one calendar year according to our discretion.
Just like in birth, when you know, YOU KNOW and divine order unfolds to support that knowing. We as birth workers prepare for a multitude of possibilities in holding the container of birth, so please consider the following as you commit to this act of healing and expansion for yourself:
You may select a king or queen suite for when we are in Accra, however when traveling outside of the city, rooms will likely be shared to support our integration of intimacy.
We will share your allergies with the chefs, but highly rigid dietary plans will be difficult to accommodate. Please be prepared to supplement your meals if you are not flexible with food.
You will receive a detailed packing list of what you'll need for yourself and what you'll need to best participate in the activities and workshop elements.
To & From Kotoka International Airport on 12/11 and 12/21 within designated time frame
:: pick up from the airport or meeting spot for early arrivals
:: travel to retreat location
:: dinner
:: rest and unwind
:: Review itinerary for the week
:: welcoming ceremony/ introductions
:: altar building
:: The shadow of birth work/ Grief
:: itinerary overview
:: listening to our inner beings and intuition
:: boundaries and self-preservation
:: shame, vulnerability, and trust
:: grounding, smudging, cloaking
:: intuitive movement flow
:: prenatal inquiries, consultations, and prenatal appointments
:: consent and trauma informed care
:: Fetal positioning
:: Palpation
:: herbal infused massage oil demo
:: prenatal massage
:: Honoring pregnancy
:: we will spend the day until lunch time at a sacred body of water
:: rest and integration
:: comfort measures
:: herbs and homeothapy for labor
:: non-cervix based care and space holding
:: birth as a ceremony
:: reading the energetics of labor
:: Birth story debrief, story weaving/ integration
:: prepared postpartum
:: feeding fundamentals
:: the postpartum container
:: postpartum herbs and homeopathy
:: postpartum massage
:: moxa
:: abdominal wrapping
:: pelvic steam
:: postpartum bath
:: postpartum closing of the bones
:: each student gives and receives a closing ceremony
:: rest and integration
:: blessing of the hands
:: Final Reflection
::Departure
