Women’s hormonal cycles ebb and flow through four phases of our menstrual cycle: bleed, follicular, luteal, ovulation, and back to bleed.
Unfortunately, most of us (myself included) weren’t taught how to be tuned into this part of our natural biology. Instead, we were conditioned to override the parts of our menstrual cycle that were “inconvenient.” When we felt tired, fatigued, crampy, moody, we just shoved a tampon in, popped a Midol, drank a coffee, and pushed on with our day.
Over time, this creates a profound disconnection from our bodies.
Incredible wisdom can be gained from living not only in sync with our cycles but also in reverence to them.
How often have you heard or said, “Ugh, I’m getting my period?” Or some variation of that? Feeling like your bleed was a huge burden and something to resist, hate, and do anything not to have or feel. I mean, look at how birth control is designed these days. We can manipulate our hormones in such a way that our bodies only bleed twice a year.
This is a massive disservice to women. Consider this for a moment. Do you see the distorted programming in it? It communicates, “Do whatever is necessary to bypass this very natural part of you & your menstrual cycle.”
We have an opportunity to change our relationship to our menstrual cycles.
Whether you are still in your menstruating years or menopause, the invitation remains. We can connect with ourselves, our cycles, and the natural ebb and flow of energy in our bodies in a powerful way instead of feeling victimized by it, which our cultural conditioning has taught us to do.
My friend called recently, asking if it was normal to feel down, moody, irritable, and low energy a few days before and after her bleed. I said, “Of course. Your body is preparing to shed, so you need to rest and give it the most nourishment possible.”
About a week later, she reported how helpful it was to allow her body to rest and not fight it. In doing so, her cramps were less intense than usual. She was grateful to have given her body adequate time and space to take what she needed.
Things begin to flow more easily when we align with our natural menstrual cycles – and get our mindset on board, too.
We no longer fight against the natural current of where the energy is going.
For example, the middle of winter is not the best time to do the things you would at peak summer time. The energy flows differently at each season. We can get on that wave or fight against it.
Living in sync with our bodies’ natural rhythms and cycles is a powerful yet, unfortunately, incredibly underutilized practice.
Over the years, as I’ve become attuned to the moon cycles, I see the impact on my life.
My menstrual cycle is more regular and has naturally synced up with the moon cycles. I bleed at the new moon and ovulate at the full moon.
I schedule my life around my cycle (for the things within my control, at least).
For example, if I know I’m expecting my bleed next weekend, I won’t plan a hike or anything similar that would require a huge energetic output. Instead, I’ll clear my calendar and plan to rest, take it easy, go slow, meditate, journal, eat warm foods, and incorporate gentle movement.
I’ve also noticed that during this phase of my menstrual cycle, I’m more insular. My intuition is heightened, and inspiration feels clearer. My channel feels very open, and I create with more ease.
There’s incredible freedom and power in aligning your life in this way.
It’s so simple yet goes such a long way. Leaning into the perfection of this incredible body and surrendering to how it’s asking to be nourished is a powerful practice.
Strengthening your relationship with your body is a lifelong practice; as you cultivate that connection, your relationship with yourself will deepen.
Join us for the next Moon Circle.
Are you interested in learning more about living in alignment with your body’s and the moon’s natural rhythms and cycles?
Join us for the next Full Moon Circle & Yoga Flow experience! Click here to learn more and register.
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