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DIY Yoni Steam: Setting Intentions and Doing the Work

Amber Shehan February 15, 2016

Yoni steaming is often called an old tradition by some and reviled as useless and even dangerous by others. I've found it to be a gentle experience when done mindfully.

Moon Goddess of Mystery Psychedelic Tarot Art by Emily Balivet

Start with part one: Yoni Steaming – An Act of Self-Love

After making my first round of mental preparations, I put the whole idea “yoni steam” idea aside for a few days until my order from Shakti Studios arrived. It was packaged like it was a gift meant for a queen or a temple priestess, neither of which felt like me at the moment.

Nervousness set in and I started to list all the reasons that I shouldn’t rush into trying this strange new ritual. Plenty of reasons came to mind. I wanted to find the perfect day to try yoni steaming. I decided that I needed at least two hours of free time to dedicate to myself. Two hours would give me plenty of time to prepare the tea blend, set space, get my head straight, and steam for a while. I also wanted to give myself time to sit around afterward and relax. Maybe meditate or journal? This is special, sacred stuff here. Not just “any” day would do.

What was I going to do? Do you know how hard it is to allow yourself two hours of free time? I kept thinking of evenings after work, but no – it was too hard to plan two empty hours around dinner and other household responsibilities. Maybe a weekend coming up? But no, I need to spend more time with my love. Shopping. Housework. Hobbies distracted me and ate up my time while the herb blend sat there, waiting patiently for me.

It finally dawned on me and I realized the real problem:  I was avoiding the chance to heal myself. This whole steaming situation was out of my comfort zone. Trying a Yoni steam was pushing my boundaries in a way that felt significant…and that made me feel scared.

Scared?

Well, phunk dat. 

If my inner goddess needs venerating, I had best do this right.

I decided that if I was fighting myself so hard there must be a reason. What was I so afraid of? Fear can be a terrible beast, but more often it is a tiny little quibbling thing that nibbles on your nerves. It’s like a constant voice of concern and dissent in the back of your mind.

Instead of just giving in to fear and doubt, I analyzed them. Were there true causes for concern? Potential damage to my body? There was no danger that I could see. All the fear was false, merely a veil I needed to push through. I summoned up my inner power and banished that beastie back into the shadows.

Hey, look! I have learned that my inner goddess can stand up to fear.  This is already a good experience.

How to do your DIY Yoni Steam

Some precautions:

  • do not steam if you are menstruating
  • do not steam if you are pregnant
  • do not steam if you have an infection or open wounds (heat = inflammation)
  • do not steam if you have an IUD and remove your piercings (metal + heat = angry bits)
  • do not burn yourself! If the steam is too hot, get up and move! This should be pleasant, not painful.

There. Good. Keep yourself safe.

Here are the basics of what you need for a DIY Yoni Steam:

Here’s the deal with the throne.  All you need is a comfortable place to sit under which you can set a bowl of hot liquid. There are a ton of different styles out there, just find one that works for you!

My throne is a low-sitting beach chair with the center strip cut out. It’s easy to set up, cover it with a few towels or blankets to make it nice, and comfortable to set in for a good long time. Here are a few more examples of steaming stools:

devi yoni steam seat
This style of seat is available from SoulVibrance
Here’s a more generic style, but it is quite effective! (from Amazon affiliate link)
There are so many options available on Amazon and other retailers online!

Here’s the quick version of the Yoni Steam instructions:

  • Boil water. Pour in herbs. Remove from heat and put a lid on the pot.
  • 10-15 minutes later, pour the tea into a bowl/crockpot/bucket.
  • Put the hot tea container under the seat.
  • Sit on the chair and wrap yourself up in blankets from the waist down to keep the heat contained.
  • Sit for as long as you can, and give yourself time afterward to rest for a bit and cool off.

That should be sufficient for a decent steam. While it sounds nice, it also covers only the basic experience. Rather than simple and clinical, why not be a bit more decadent and treat yourself well? What does your inner goddess need to feel worshiped and validated?

Setting Sacred Space

Here are a few things to consider to help make your “you-time” a little extra special. These options might now work for everyone, but hopefully, it will give you some ideas.

  • Talk to your household and let them know that you need some alone time without interruptions (I can hear all the moms laughing at me now) or just pretend you’re in the shower and can’t be bothered!
  • Turn off your phone!
  • Tidy up the room where you plan on steaming. Make it nice for yourself, just like you would do if you had a guest coming to stay with you.
  • Brew up an herbal infusion or cup of tea to drink while you are steaming.
  • Make sure to have water nearby
  • Grab a book or magazine to read, something that you enjoy.
  • Set up some mood music if you care to. I enjoy Glen Valez: Rhythms of the Chakras or Dead Can Dance.
  • Do you like to pamper yourself? This is a great time to do a honey facial or other DIY spa treatments.
  • Use it for meditation time – breathe deep and let the thoughts just flow through your mind.
  • Have a notebook and pen nearby in case you feel inspired.

The first time I steamed, I didn’t write, read, or do much of anything other than sit there and breathe. I didn’t feel anything earth-shattering, nor did the voice of the primal goddess rise and tell me I was doing a good job. I mostly just felt my tired body relax into the moment. It had been a long time since I just *sat* and *existed* without any goals.

The second time I did a DIY Yoni steam, I was much more comfortable from the onset. I knew what I was getting myself into and was able to make my space a little more comfortable. My brain happened to be yammering in my head nonstop that day, and so I found more peace by writing out my doubts and fears instead of meditating. Below is an example of some of my free writing and thoughts that surfaced, the most important crux of my experience.


Why am I doing this weird hippie thing to my vagina?

  • fighting a urinary tract infection
  • working to balance candida overgrowth
  • irregular moon cycles (my whole life)
  • a busy, busy brain
  • anxiety and stress
  • because I don’t want to…

Ah. That’s the ticket. “Because I don’t want to.”  I’m fighting self-care.

There isn’t a single part of the yoni steaming process that is unpleasant or physically uncomfortable. The fight, the rebellion against it is due to the feelings that it brings up, or a fear that people will laugh at you if they know.


So, every time I steam, I have a different experience. It feels like slides flickering on a screen with a new image to look at each time. A new lesson each session. Pages of my life are handed to me with examples of where my fears originated so that I can acknowledge them and move past them.

That’s why I try to make it a sacred and beautiful experience. Giving yourself a space for meditation and quiet time is probably just as important as the steaming itself. The act of taking time to honor your body is a powerful one – especially a part of the body that harbors shame, disgust, and fear. Why fear your own body?

That being said, don’t take yourself too seriously. It’s ok to laugh at yourself, so long as you aren’t being a big, mean bully. Bodies are funny, remember? And there is a lot of dangerous BS out there packaged as self-care. Do you want a giggle? Just check out this relevant video from the Asheville-based web series “Transplanting.”

Maeve Joins a Womyn’s Circle: Transplanting – Episode 2 from Transplanting Series on Vimeo.

Resources:

ShaktiStudios: tea blends, steaming blends, yoni eggs, red tent supplies, goddess jewelry, and more!

VibrantSouls: tea blends, steaming stools, guided meditations, herbal blends for steaming.

Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine: take charge of your care by learning how to supplement your health with syrups, teas, and other herbal medicines.

Yoni Steam Institute: (warning: it auto plays music, but it’s Nina Simone, so they are forgiven) yoni steam blends, yoni eggs, yoni divination, and lingam jewelry (for the sacred phallus)

Holy Sponge: lunar calendars, sea sponges, oil, salves, and pussy chalices

Goddess: Calm in Chaos: This is art from my Zazzle shop.

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Amber Shehan

Hi! I'm Amber Pixie, and this is my site. Enjoy the recipes, information, posts, and please feel free to message me if you have questions!

16 Comments

  1. Yoni Steaming: An act of self love ~ Pixie's Pocket on February 15, 2016 at 10:42 am

    […] Part Two: DIY Yoni Steam: Setting Space and Taking Time […]

  2. Rebecca on September 30, 2016 at 5:26 pm

    I have a question why aren’t you allowed to do this if you have an IUD? I have one and I have been doing some research on yoni eggs and just the over all practice and this is the first time I heard that this isn’t for people with IUD’s which makes me sort of sad lol. I plan on getting mine removed but sadly its been on the back burner….

    • Amber Shehan on October 1, 2016 at 9:07 pm

      Hey Rebecca! I think the concern about IUD is that most of them have copper. The way that metal conducts heat causes concern when adding steam. Maybe you can do sitz baths instead, as a way to apply herbs and honor yourself in the way you want to! <3

      • Carol on June 27, 2020 at 4:27 pm

        Is this good for me at the age of 61 I don’t have a period because I had a hysterectomy at 32

        • Amber Pixie on August 29, 2020 at 1:46 pm

          As long as you are being careful and safe around the hot water and steam like anyone else, I don’t see how this would hurt. You certainly deserve the special treatment, menstruation or not!

    • Sara B Pollock on October 2, 2017 at 1:08 am

      I really wanted to do this I’m sad you’re not supposed to if you have an IUD.

      • Amber Shehan on October 2, 2017 at 8:20 am

        I understand, Sara! But the metal can conduct heat so effectively, you could burn or blister yourself and that would NOT feel very good! 🙁

        I have an update to add to this post, where you can make an herbal tea and use a clean cloth as an external compress, just lay back with a warm herb-soaked cloth over your womb/yoni and focus on yourself that way! 🙂 I hope that helps!

  3. elani on January 16, 2017 at 2:48 am

    Has anyone ever spoken with this man Phil Reddick? – He seems to be the only person selling wood steam stools on the market. HARD WOOD steam stools with the name RED DICK no less. Perhaps I have issues, but his website has no info, has a picture of a bear only, the email links don’t work, tho he does have a phone number. I just think it would be appropriate for him to have more info selling such a product. Anyone purchase one from him?

    • elani on January 16, 2017 at 2:50 am

      p.s. his yoni stool image linked to this site

    • Amber Shehan on January 16, 2017 at 9:07 am

      Hi, Elani.

      From what I have seen on doing a few searches is that while he might sometimes be hard to get a hold of, he does deliver a good product. I linked to him after researching people’s experiences.

      I have no issues personally with using hard wood steam stools. If they were soft wood, they’d have sap, tend to swell with the humid heat, and not be near as strong. If you are uncomfortable with unintentional phallic references, perhaps you wouldn’t want to buy from this particular artisan. I have no such issues, myself. My male partner helped me to design my own stool, did most of the work to modify the chair, and considered it an honor and veneration to contribute to my path of healing. I would assume the same from an artisan, phallus-wielding or not. There are many options out there. Good luck finding the one that you enjoy and that makes you feel comfortable, that’s the most important part!

  4. elani on January 16, 2017 at 3:26 pm

    Thanks Amber,
    I really appreciate your reply and your thoughts here. I agree and would hope that any artisan who is moved to craft these stools would be one who is also moved to contribute to women’s healing in this way. So thanks for reminding me of that. I should give the man a break (with his unintentional puns or not) and just be thankful he is making these available. Being hard wood is a plus and they look like a good product. Love your website.
    Thanks again,
    Elani

  5. Bri on January 6, 2018 at 8:56 am

    I know it says remove genital piercings, which is totally understandable. But is there any form of filler jewelry we can put in there just while steaming so the hole doesnt close?

    • Amber Pixie on January 6, 2018 at 9:25 am

      I don’t have much in the way of piercings myself, but I recall there being plastic or other inserts that some pierced folks I know used when they had to “hide” or “remove” their piercings for playing sports? Maybe something natural like wood or bone? Sorry, not my area of expertise! 🙂

  6. Abby in Ohio on June 16, 2021 at 10:53 am

    Do you still yoni steam? What benefits have you experienced? Thank you!

  7. LJ on May 15, 2023 at 12:23 am

    Where is the link for the stools? I can’t seem to find it, I’d like to purchase the RedGrizz stool.

    • Amber Pixie on May 24, 2023 at 4:41 pm

      Aww, it appears they’ve gone out of business. How unfortunate!

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