The way the world functions works through women. Our world moves through seasons. Similarly, women go through different phases in their monthly cycle that correlate with the seasons of nature. As women, when we understand the way our menstrual cycle works (even in perimenopause and menopause), we are able to better understand ourselves, especially our moods, our energy levels, and our natural tendencies during different times of the month.

Malka Chana Amichai, a certified Postpartum Doula, is passionate about helping women connect to their femininity. Her mission is to educate and support women to be active participants in their own life experiences. She expanded her practice to become a Prenatal Yoga instructor, a Kallah teacher who gives premarital education to brides, and a sexual health mentor. He main objective is to empower women in their womanhood and to facilitate their reconnection with the divine feminine that flows through all of us.

Below are the phases of our menstrual cycle, as they correspond to each season:

Menstrual Phase--Winter--just like when it's cold in the winter, we cuddle up with cozy socks and a warm blanket, and tend to stay home, during the time we are menstruating, women go inward. They want to spend more time at home; they tend to want to be by themselves; they do a lot of inner work and self-care during this time of the month.

Follicular Phase--Spring--just like in the spring when the flowers start blooming, and the weather starts getting warner, women start coming out of their shell more. They tend to want to be around people a bit more than during the menstrual phase. They experience more creativity, inspiration and hope.

Ovulation Phase--Summer--just like in the summer when it's hot and everything is in full bloom, women are more aroused, they want to be closer with their partner, they want to be around their friends and be much more social and outgoing. This is the phase of the month when they feel most connected to others.

Post Period Phase--Fall--just like the fall is the transition between summer and winter, the post period phase is an in between time for women; a type of 'nowhere zone,' where we feel that we're neither here nor there. This is the time when we experience higher than usual anxiety.

If you are in the perimenopause or menopause phase of your life, you can still connect to your cycle through the phases of the moon.

Rosh Chodesh is a women's holiday, and it's marked by the New Moon.

New Moon--correlates with the menstruation phase (winter)
Waxing Moon--correlates with the follicular phase (spring)
Full Moon--correlates with the ovulation phase (summer)
Waning Moon--correlates with the post period phase (fall)

Malka Chana also talks about how mothers can introduce the concept of menstruation and periods to her preteen or teenage daughter, and how mothers can transmit to them the beauty of being a woman.

For more information on Malka Chana, visit her website: https://www.bohemianbalabusta.com/about-me/

Vera Kessler (host of America's Top Rebbetzins) is a certified life coach. She specializes in transformational life coaching and accountability coaching. She is also a motivational speaker. Vera's mission is to help women get out of survival mode and start thriving. She works with women who are committed to stepping into their own self-worth and creating the life they want to live--one that is full of joy, empowerment, meaning, and purpose.
To learn more, visit:
https://innerlifecoachingwithvera.com/