Dr. Elana interviews Tawny Sterios on the topic of women's gatherings during Covid-19. They discuss the importance of gathering and how women can still benefit mentally, spiritually and emotionally through virtual gatherings. For mamas who were hoping for their baby shower or Mother’s blessing, you can still have one! Tawny offers tips and guidance so no mama will miss out on her special occasion. Tawny has a decade of experience leading women’s circles and retreats all over the world, along with being a prenatal and postpartum doula and yoga teacher. She knows what a mama needs to stay nourished–and gathering with other women is a must. This episode will teach you how to get started in creating meaningful gatherings so you can remain connected with your community in a time when we desperately need it.  Enjoy the listen! You can find us on iTunes, Stitcher or Spotify. We’d love to hear your thoughts on Instagram or Facebook. Topics Discussed: Why gatherings for women are so important The mental, emotional, spiritual and physical benefits of gathering How we can still gather safely during Covid-19  How virtual gatherings are still beneficial What different types of gatherings and ceremonies may look like How to set up a peaceful space and host a gathering/circle/retreat Show Notes: Quote that Tawny shared in the episode: "This related way of thinking is one of the greatest attributes of the feminine. It remembers us back to the elements from which we are made, and upon which we are dependent. Like a reciprocal roof, which is a self-supporting structure, we lean on each other from all sides. The centre is everywhere and if even one of us falls out of togetherness, we will all eventually fall. One of the great capacities of yin is the inwardness that enables our reconnection to the greater web in which we are but a thread”  -Toka-pa Turner, Belonging Visit Tawny’s website and blog  Blog post on Women’s Circles  Connect with Tawny on IG Find Tawny on FB Receive a Free 30 minute MARMA Massage Video when you sign-up to receive Tawny’s monthly emails Take the free mini course at Dr. Elana’s Med School for Moms Learn more about Whole Mamas Pregnancy Program Subscribe to Whole Mamas Weekly Pregnancy Email Series Follow Steph and Elana on Instagram Whole Mamas Podcast Archive Tawny Sterios: mother - yoga teacher and teacher trainer - birth doula - circle guide - Qoya dancer - nature enthusiast.  She has been teaching yoga for 15 years and leading women’s circles and retreats for the last 10 years. She is an RYT-500hr yoga teacher and co-founder of mBODY YOGA, a studio she owned for 8 years in San Luis Obispo CA with her husband, Peter Sterios, who is also a yogi and entrepreneur. She is certified in both Kundalini Yoga and hatha yoga through LEVITYoga, and teaches in LEVITYoga’s Teacher Training Programs. She was a featured model in Yoga Journal Magazine (2010-2011) and was one of a select group of national instructors invited to teach yoga at the White House for Michelle Obama’s anti-obesity initiative (2011-2013).  In addition to her love of yoga, Tawny has a fierce devotion to supporting women that are coming into motherhood. She is a certified Prenatal & PostPartum Doula and a Prenatal PostPartum Yoga Instructor. She has also been leading monthly Women’s Circle at studios near and far for the past decade where women hold sacred space for the unfolding of life and the quiet inner knowing that bond us. Currently she is holding monthly virtual women’s circles and Qoya Ceremonies for women all over the country. As well, she leads in person retreats and teaches at festivals. Every Spring and Fall she hosts retreats for women in California, in the Summer she sometimes offers Mother Daughter retreats in Mexico and a every Winter a co-ed adventure to India. Her retreats are modern ceremonial gatherings that offer a variety of cross cultural modalities that support wellness.  Please remember that the views and ideas presented on this