The Mindful Cycle
Do you explicitly teach about the menstrual cycle as part of the curriculum? Is menstrual education something that you would like to see addressed in depth in your school?
In a survey by Plan International Ireland 61% of girls aged 12-19 said they missed school due to their period. This is not OK. Something has to change to give these young people knowledge and sustainable skills to live in harmony with their cycle.
From my preliminary research findings, 100% of 16-22 year olds said that they did not receive adequate education about periods at school. 100% of parents agreed. 66% of teachers said that they did not feel confident teaching about the topic.
The Mindful Cycle is a menstrual literacy education programme created and delivered by a qualified teacher, registered with the teaching council who is also a professional menstrual cycle coach and facilitator.
It promotes awareness of periods as a vital sign, a sign of health, an acceptance of the menstrual cycle as a whole, encourages menstruators to live in sync with their cyclical nature through the development of self-compassion and fosters a sense of compassion and understanding among non-menstruators for those with a cycle.
This approach to menstrual literacy can maximise potential throughout the month, prevent physical burn out and enhance one’s relationship with themselves. It is a sustainable lifestyle approach.
Packages for Schools
I come to your school and teach about the menstrual cycle through the lens of mindfulness, fostering the skills of awareness, acceptance and compassion.
The Mindful Cycle programme can be delivered to menstruators and non-menstruators. This will help to end the stigma and shame that still surrounds periods and the menstrual cycle. The content and delivery is tailored to the class level.
I work with Primary and Secondary schools.
I am currently accepting expressions of interest for the pilot programme for Primary schools.
This is the offering available for the students in your secondary school:
The Mindful Cycle Workshop
What's included?
Each of the four phases of the menstrual cycle are covered including hormonal, energetic and emotional fluctuations
The female anatomy involved in the menstrual cycle is named and recognised
The timeline of the menstrual cycle from menarche to menopause
What a typical period and a typical cycle is like
Begin to understand that each person's cycle is unique to them
Understand the importance of menstrual health and related conditions
Effects of hormonal contraception on the cycle explained
Period products shown and discussed. Period poverty addressed.
How to track the monthly cycle
Self-care
Mindful practice
Pricing starts at €389 for a stand alone workshop with up to 30 students per session. Discounted rates apply for full day visits and consecutive days booked. For information on talks please email me to find out more. For more information on pricing for your specific needs please get in touch.
Civil service travel and subsistence rates may apply.
*The Mindful Cycle for Primary School pupils.
introductory workshop
Topics covered include:
Mindful Practice
What to expect leading up to the first period and how to prepare
Name and recognise the parts of the female anatomy involved in the menstrual cycle
What a typical period and a typical cycle is like
The four phases of the menstrual cycle are outlined
How to develop self-care for each phase of the cycle
Period products shown and discussed
*Primary school curriculum links can be mapped to S.P.H.E (myself, self-identity, taking care of my body and growing and changing), Science(human life processes) and Maths (counting, noticing patterns)
Delivery of the programme is based on a class of approx. 30 students
For more information on pricing and packages please contact me.
Civil service travel and subsistence rates may apply.
Menstrual education consultancy, The Mindful Cycle Representative training and CPD packages available too for teachers and SNA's .
Contact for details.
Student Testimonials
I think it was an amazing experience and the information and knowledge I gained will be with me for life. I think Paula is an incredible woman and she is making a big difference to young people also she was extremely kind, patient, forthcoming and understanding. I would 100% recommend to people to learn more about themselves and their cycle and also recommend this workshop.
I found everything incredibly interesting and informative, I enjoyed learning about The Mindful Cycle.
The workshop was extremely informative and I gained a lot of information that I wished we had been taught at a younger age. Thank you for your work in removing the stigma around periods and keep up the great work!
I loved this experience, Paula was lovely and made me feel comfortable talking and asking questions! This experience was great and I'd recommend it to anyone
-TY Students, Scoil Chríost Rí
Education and Training Support Centres
I have delivered online sessions for teachers and SNA's with Kildare, West-Cork, Laois and Carlow Education and Training Support Centres.
These sessions inform teachers about their own cycle so that they can understand and support themselves better throughout the month and in turn better support and understand their students.
You can avail of The Mindful Cycle CPD and training sessions for your school by contacting me.
Testimonials
I attended the Mindful Cycle workshop with Paula. Paula's knowledge and openness, matched with her warm presence and understanding, made it so easy, enjoyable and very worthwhile. I was so impressed by Paula's depth of knowledge, I only wish I had access to this information earlier in my life. It was also great to have the opportunity to reflect on my experience of my own cycle throughout the workshop. Paula's holistic approach and awareness made is a lovely safe space to learn, reflect and relax with no pressure.
- Niamh, Primary School Teacher
Fantastic delivery of course, wish I knew the information when I was younger, tracking periods, the different seasons and emotions you through, Paula is warm and friendly. You can hear the passion and care she has for this. Definitely highly recommend.
- Annette, SNA
So delighted I signed up, wish I had this information like this when I started my period or when I was trying to conceive, Thank you Paula, could listen to you all night
- Primary Teacher
I enjoyed the whole thing. The phases, what is normal, what is a possible red flag, had never heard of seasons before, very interesting perspective to take.
- Secondary Teacher