Get ready to roll up your sleeves and dive into interactive workshops designed to give you practical skills and knowledge in natural medicine! Explore workshops led by experienced practitioners and educators passionate about sharing their expertise. 

Each workshop is designed to engage a smaller set of audience members, supporting networking opportunities, and promoting mentorship. Workshops will last approximately 30 minutes and repeat a few times within 2 hours from 3:00 to 5:00 PM on Saturday, March 29th.

Don't miss these special tours:

• Arboretum Tour (3:00 PM): Discover the hidden treasures of the University of Montana Arboretum on a guided tour led by Jaxon Caufield. Learn about the diverse plant life and its medicinal properties.

• Medicinal Garden Tour (4:00 PM): Explore the fascinating world of medicinal plants with renowned herbalist Elaine Sheff on a tour of her personal garden. Gain insights into cultivation, harvesting, and the use of medicinal herbs. 

Tours start from the ALI Auditorium on Saturday.

The Science (and Magic) of Hydrotherapy: Saunas, Cold Plunges, and More 

Dr. Michael Smith, and Dr. Margaret Coffey, two naturopathic physicians at Natura Health and Wellness Clinic, will lead a workshop at NAMIS focusing on hydrotherapy. Hydrotherapy is one of the key modalities within naturopathic medicine. It includes many different water-based treatments that have been successfully used for centuries to promote health and overcome disease. During this workshop, Dr. Smith and Dr. Coffey will briefly share the science (and seeming magic) behind hydrotherapy and how water can help stimulate the body’s ability to heal itself. Most of the workshop will be spent focusing on use simple hydrotherapy treatments that can be done at home, including hands-on demonstrations.

Dr. Smith brings his expertise in understanding the interconnectedness of various body systems, including hormonal, gastrointestinal, neurological, and immune responses to develop holistic care plans. Dr. Coffey specializes in naturopathic care for cancer patients and those seeking primary care, emphasizing patient preferences and a broad spectrum of treatment options. Together, they will share their knowledge and insights on how naturopathic approaches can empower individuals to achieve optimal health and well-being.

Please visit Natura.Health for more.

Join Mallory Popp and Brooke Stanley from Soil Cycle for a workshop on composting! 

Transform Waste into Wealth: Composting for a Sustainable Future

Did you know that composting can help fight climate change? In this hands-on workshop, you'll discover how composting can enrich your garden, reduce waste, and contribute to a healthier planet. Learn practical home composting methods, conduct soil testing, and understand how composting supports climate resilience through closed nutrient cycling. We'll compare the environmental impacts of landfills, industrial agriculture, and composting systems, equipping you with the knowledge to start composting at home. Join us to explore the fascinating world of composting and discover how you can make a difference!

 Visit Soil Cycle for more information. 

The Pillars of Peace 

Discover three essential ingredients for inner peace: meditation, purpose, and community. This workshop will guide you through various meditation techniques, explore acting techniques for cultivating inner stability, and discuss how purpose and community contribute to a balanced life. By the end, you'll have practical tools to find more ease and cultivate inner peace. 

Juniper McKelvie is an artist and meditation instructor with over 25 years of experience. She blends her background in acting and meditation to offer a unique perspective on finding inner peace. Juniper has created numerous secular guided meditations and is passionate about sharing accessible tools for cultivating peace in everyday life. 

Learn more about Juniper!

The Neuroscience of Smell: From Memory to Medicine

Ever catch a familiar scent and instantly recall a long-forgotten moment? Our sense of smell uniquely connects to memory, emotion, and medical applications. In this interactive workshop, we’ll explore how the olfactory system connects to the brain, shaping our experiences and playing a role in neurological and psychological health. Using six different herbs, we’ll explore how scent influences cognition, mood, and potential therapeutic treatments.

Led by Anya Craig, the President of the University of Montana’s Neuroscience Club, this hands-on session combines science with sensory exploration. The Neuroscience Club aims to make brain science engaging and accessible by connecting students and community members to neuroscience. Whether you’re curious about how smells trigger memories, interested in their medical applications, or enjoy exploring the senses, this workshop provides a unique perspective on the brain’s hidden abilities.

Discover the neuroscience of smell firsthand and see how scent connects memory and medicine.

Colors from Nature - Connecting the Dots Between Local Fibers, Natural Dyes, and Sustainable Practices

Join members of Montana Fibershed for an introduction to the how and why of extracting color from the plants around us in Montana. While most clothing and household textiles we purchase are dyed with chemical dyes, mostly petroleum-derived, there is another way! We will discuss the processes of creating pots of color for personal use, with an emphasis on experiment and play. Color is joyful; colors we discover ourselves in the natural world surrounding us are even more so! You will learn how to get started on your own natural dye journey. Bring your curiosity!

Discover the vibrant world of Montana Fibershed, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting local fiber and dye systems. Learn how they connect producers to end-users, strengthen textile manufacturing in Montana, and promote regenerative practices that benefit our environment, economy, and communities. 

Learn more about Montana Fibershed at MontanaFibershed.org.

Earth Within Girls

Melissa Lafontaine, founder of Earth Within Girls, a nonprofit dedicated to connecting female bodies to preventative reproductive health education through nature-based programs, will guide you through an experiential workshop on tools for regulating hormones through somatics and herbal remedies. You will walk away from this workshop with a deeper understanding of the nervous system and how it impacts hormonal health. Melissa will share her favorite herbs for nervous system regulation and lead you in a grounding somatic practice you can utilize at home to find more balance. Join us as we share stories of resilience and find more safety in our bodies.  

Follow our work at EarthWithinGirls.org.