Help us educate and empower young performers!

Our Motivation:

Too much misinformation on training science is going around as sport studies focus too often on male bodies only and fail to adequately include menstruating bodies. The consequences are multifaceted and include inadequate nutrition, low-energy availability and related bone density issues, heightened injury risk and poor awareness and understanding of pelvic floor dysfunction. Many performers with menstruating bodies suffer from cycle related complaints that makes them not only miss out on training and performances but also takes a toll on their mental well being. In current higher education programs in Rotterdam, there is no information on the effect of training on the menstruating body.

We aim to address this issue by providing targeted information, training, and guidance on health and nutrition, empowering menstruating performers to optimize their performance, prioritize self-care, and navigate their artistic journey with confidence.

Our Goals:

What we have achieved so far:

We hosted an introductory workshop on February 10th, 2024 with 28 students (circus, music dance) which was well received with the students wishing for more workshops and more information.

We also held a workshop for teachers and coaches of circus and dance with similar results.

Why we need your help:

This project was initially going to be funded by an educational institution but due to them having to drastically cut costs, there is no possibility of receiving support anymore. The project application was sent in in November 2023 for the funding period of January til June 2024 with a budget of 2500€.

We have invested too much time and energy to have the project die now. Please support us to make a change in the performing arts field, in our society and education about menstruating bodies.

We have planned 4 workshop rounds and 2 follow up meetings with the follwing topics:

1. The menstruating body in performance arts training

2. Pelvic floor health: what is urinary stress incontinence?

3. Nutrition for menstruating bodies: adequate fueling for long-term health and training

4. Creating and performing with a menstruating body: how can rehearsals be organised to better meet the needs of performers with menstruating bodies

So far none of the work we've done has been compensated, but to be able to continue our journey we would like to ask for small and big donations. We are happy to share our workshop materials with you and answer any questions or feedback you have for us.

The project will continue step by step, everytime we have enough money to do the next workshop, we will organise it!

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You can have a look at our project application here.

You can have a look at our preliminary budget here.

You can have a look at our preliminary production planning here.

Thank you to everyone who supports us!