Yoni Steaming

Here is a little introduction to something I think women should be doing a lot more: Yoni steaming or vaginal steaming.

The first time I heard the word yoni steaming was in the summer 2019, when some of my Swedish friends talked about it. It seemed to be a normal part of their monthly routine and they were very surprised that I had no idea what it was. I almost felt a little bit dumb for having no clue what they were talking about, but I was very interested in this new thing.

Yoni steam, Pelvic steam, Vaginal steam, V steam, Chai-yok or Bajo – it’s all about the female genitals

Fast forward 1 year and we were gathered again in the summer 2020. By then I had forgotten that yoni steams even existed and my own steaming journey had not yet begun. But the topic seemed to magically emerge once again and this time I was ready to explore it further.

The history of yoni steaming

I am not sure from where this ancient practice originated, but I do know that for centuries women has been using yoni steams all over the world: Central- and South America, Asia, Africa, India and Eastern Europe. It has mainly been used to cleanse the uterus related to menstrual difficulties, menopause or after birth healing and in all of these places the female womb is considered something sacred.

Yoni is the Sanskrit word for the female genitalia – the womb and the uterus. It means “sacred place” and symbolize the sacred portal to life.

I think it is such a shame that in many parts of the world (including where I grew up) the female womb is no longer considered sacred in the same way it was before and the beauty of the female cycle is cast away. There are so many negative synonyms connected to the menstrual cycle (“the curse” being one of them) and what a horrible way to describe something so magnificant as the ability bear a child. I have many friends referring to their menstrual cycle as their “Moon” and I find that very beautiful.

Time to reconnect

Although this is indeed a very private and intimate subject I would like to share a bit of my experience with you as I think it is time for all women to reconnect with their sacred femininity. It is not something to be afraid of. In fact I think it is something that should be celebrated.

I had no idea what to expect when I tried my first yoni steam. My three herbs Lavender, Chamomile and Sage had boiled in a pot and I was ready to steam. It was such a strange feeling to sit over that pot for the first time (I will get into details with the how to do it further down). The steam from the herbs was so soft and gentle yet it was also intense. I had put on some soft music but quickly realised that it was way to much stimulation for my senses. My body (and my vagina especially) seemed to be thinking “What is going on here?!”.

I sat there for approximately 20 minutes the first time. After that I went to lay down on my bed to relax my body and mind. I was really trying to pay attention to what was happening inside of me. What emotions emerged. What thoughts came up. One of the strongest sensations for me was the feeling of having reconnected with a forgotten part of myself. I literally had the feeling that my yoni had its completely own personality. It was like meeting a new friend (or and old friend I guess) for the first time. To think she had been there all along and I never paid her this kind of attention. I would surely change that!

What is it good for?

Yes! Let’s look into some of the amazing benefits you can get from giving your sacred yoni some loving attention. First of all steaming is a cleanse and a detox and whichever herbs you decide to use will be part of this detox. The herbs, plants and flowers we have around us can help our body in many different ways and it is up to you to decide which herbs you wish to work with. Maybe you wish to use cleansing herbs to support the body’s natural ability to release the uterine lining when your period comes? You can also choose to use herbs after your period that helps the body’s ability to create new blood cells.

Here are some things that steaming is especially good for:

• Long periods or long cycles
• Heavy cramping
• Fibroids and cysts
• Blocked tubes
• Infections and unpleasant odor
• Infertility or miscarriage
• Menopause and hot flashes
• Past sexual trauma
• Decreased libido or lubrication

But steaming is not necessarily just about the physical benefits. A lot of mental stress or thought clutter can be released this way.

Let’s acknowledge that steaming is a tool we can use for our own self care along the lines of so many other things available to us.

How to do it?

All female bodies are different and it can take a bit of time to tune into what works for you. When is the right time to do it and how do you prefer to steam. If you build up a steaming practice you can better tune into what is suitable for you and what your body needs.

You will need:

1. The herbs you wish to work with
2. A pot to heat up your herbs
3. A yoni stool made for the purpose OR you can use the toilet
4. Something to cover yourself with that will keep the steam in your lower body

How to do it:

1. Boil your hearbs in a small pot and keep the lid on to keep the medicinal properties of the herbs inside. Let them heat and boil for 5-10 minutes so the water can really absorb the herbs.
2. Place a small towel around the pot and either place it under a yoni stool or in the toilet
3. Cover the lower part of your body with a big scarf or sarong
4. Check the temperature of the steam on your lower arm before you begin to steam. You definitely do not want to burn yourself
5. Seat yourself on the stool or toilet and enjoy the session

After the steam it is suggested that you go lay down for a bit to let your body absorb the experience. I suggest you plan your steams so you have some time to yourself afterwards as well.

I found a video that gives you some visuals on how to steam and some suggestions on how to do it.

I hope you will have a wonderful experience experimenting with your own steams