Honoring Your Cycle: Finding Rest in a Restless World
Yesterday marked Day 1 of my cycle—and also Day 1 of the Moon Dance 14-day Cleanse. How fitting. To be honest, I’m exhausted. My body feels heavy, my emotions are tender, and all I want to do is curl up under a blanket and rest for hours.
But the reality of life is different. Responsibilities don’t pause when we bleed. Dinner still needs to be made, laundry piles don’t fold themselves, work emails demand replies, and life keeps spinning. And yet, deep within me, there is a knowing: this is not how it was meant to be.
Traditionally, women were allowed to step away from the bustle of daily life during menstruation. Our cycles were honored. Bleeding was seen as a ceremonial time—a dark moon phase of renewal, a sacred opportunity to shed both literally and figuratively. It was a time for retreat, reflection, and reconnection.
Today, our modern world rarely supports that. But what we can do is create our own rituals of support. Even if we can’t take days off, we can nourish ourselves with small, intentional practices that align with the natural rhythms of the body.
Ayurvedic & Yogic Support for the Menstrual Phase
Ayurveda, the sister science of yoga, teaches us that menstruation is a time when the body’s energy moves downward. It’s a cleansing, detoxifying phase, and the more we can flow with that energy, the more ease we invite into our cycle. Practices such as:
Warm, grounding foods like soups, stews, and teas to support digestion and calm Vata energy.
Gentle self-massage (abhyanga) with warm sesame oil to relax the nervous system and soothe cramps.
Slow, restorative movement instead of intense exercise—short walks, gentle stretches, or yin yoga poses.
And perhaps most importantly: rest.
Yoga Nidra: Deep Rest for the Menstrual Phase
One of the most supportive practices I recommend during menstruation is Yoga Nidra, often called “yogic sleep.” Unlike a traditional meditation that requires focus, Yoga Nidra guides you into a deep state of relaxation where the body can fully rest while the mind stays gently aware.
Why is this practice so powerful during your cycle?
It promotes deep nervous system rest. When we’re fatigued and overwhelmed, Yoga Nidra helps regulate cortisol and calm the body’s stress response.
It supports emotional release. Just as the body sheds during menstruation, Nidra creates space for letting go of mental and emotional heaviness.
It enhances hormonal balance. Research shows that Yoga Nidra can positively influence the endocrine system, which is directly tied to menstrual health.
It’s accessible anytime. You don’t need a yoga mat or physical energy—just lie down, press play, and surrender.
I truly believe Yoga Nidra is a gift to women in all phases of the cycle, but during menstruation it becomes especially potent. It’s a practice of reclaiming the rest our bodies crave, even in a world that doesn’t slow down.
If you’d like to try it for yourself, I’ve shared several free Yoga Nidra meditations on my podcast. You can listen here: Moondance Wellness Podcast.
A Closing Reflection
While the world may not pause for our cycles, we can choose to honor them in our own quiet ways. By slowing down where we can, nourishing ourselves with Ayurvedic wisdom, and weaving in the deep rest of Yoga Nidra, we create a modern-day ritual of care.
Your body is always speaking—may you give yourself permission to listen.
