I bloody love my period. It’s changed my life for the greater.
But it wasn’t always like that…
My bleeds were pretty epic. Just ask my mum; she had to pick me up from the hospital on numerous occasions after I collapsed at a train station or shopping centre. (I remember one time I was going on a date and needed a new outfit, and I made sure I collapsed after I’d bought a dress) while on my period.
The pain saw me doubled up in bed, drugged up, praying to a hot water bottle, and feeling miserable.
Fast forward 10 years to the ripe old age of 31, and I was introduced to what a period ACTUALLY was. A month of changing communication and relationships through my organs, hormones, and endocrine system that required different approaches through nutrition, exercise, and emotions to make it less painful, returning a greater yield of overall health.
It was after reading “Wild Power” by Alexandra Pope and SJanie Hugo Wurlitzer that my life became clearer, especially my emotions.
I was reminded of the changes of my cycle through the Inner Seasons of Winter, Spring, Summer, and Autumn (THIS season was a right old eye-opener), and how I was feeling was a story that was happening under my skin.
I then turned to my passion for movement, wondering if you could move with your menstrual cycle. OF COURSE YOU CAN! This is where I was introduced to Dr. Stacy Sims, an ex-athlete who has dedicated her career to studying the impact of exercise on female hormones and how to work with your female physiology for greater periods and adaptation, as well as supporting menopause (understanding the life-giving benefits of strength training for women).
I then went on to study with Phil Richards on strength training, endocrinology, and blood work for women to support symptoms such as fibroids, menstrual health issues (PCOS and Endometriosis), and menopausal changes.
And the cherry on the cake was passing my exams as a Functional Kinesiologist, which enabled me to put the body at the forefront of the examination so the woman, female, human with a uterus could truly feel the power of her body and what it needed to feel great and heal the wounds from a biased past of female health.
I live by all I have learned and experienced, and I sit here today as a vibrant woman who loves her period but, more so, the body I was told to judge and abuse from a young age.
And I know you’re ready to REALLY feel this too.
Big love
Abi x
Main – Photo by Sora Shimazaki
