Menstruation: Rest And Connection - Menstrual Cycle Series

15:03

15:03

Menstruation: Rest And Connection - Menstrual Cycle Series

Rated

5

Type

guided

Activity

Meditation

Suitable for

Everyone

Plays

17

This meditation is the first in my menstrual cycle series and focuses on the menstruation phase, your inner winter. I created this as a gentle space to rest, pause, and reconnect with yourself. The first few minutes offer a short introduction, followed by guided palming and breathing to relax the body and calm your nervous system during a time when it may feel inflamed and tender. As someone living with endometriosis, I know that menstruation can bring high levels of pain, brain fog, and other debilitating symptoms. For those who struggle during this phase, I hope this practice offers even a small sense of relief and peace. I hope you enjoy this meditation, and until we meet again - goodbye, my celestial friend. Music by Siarhei Korbut (Pixabay) Image by Petra (Pixabay)

Menstruation Self Compassion Body Reconnection Release Shame Ancestral Connection Visualization Emotional Release Grounding Winter Meditation Breath Awareness Relaxation Pain Management Menstrual Cycle Support Guilt And Shame Release Warmth Visualization Grounding Technique

Meet your Teacher

Brisbane QLD, Australia

Meet your Teacher

Brisbane QLD, Australia

Transcript

Well hello there, Welcome to Celestial Gems. My name is Gem and I'll be your guide in this meditation today. This practice is the first installment of my menstrual cycle series. Menstruation is the first stage of the cycle which runs alongside the follicular stage. Today's focus is on menstruating. This meditation is designed for all peoples who bleed. This is a guided rest to support release, Self-compassion and reconnection to the body. Today we see shame and guilt around menstruating as common, A reflection of a world built on taking away power from people. In this moment, I would like to remind you that menstruation is a time of cleansing, A natural process and has often been seen in many ancient cultures, Like some indigenous communities in Australia, As a time of celebration. In New Zealand, Maori culture, Menstruation is viewed as a time of sacredness and power, Connecting to ancestry as the blood is returned to the earth. Menstruation, Before colonialism, Was once considered a time of great spiritual connection. This practice is here to remind you of your sacred power and connection to nature while offering a moment to pause and ease stress or any other symptoms that you may be experiencing. If possible, Please take today's practice in a dark or dimly lit room that's perhaps a little cooler in temperature. See if you can find your favorite blanket or two, Pillow and or plushie, Anything that feels soft and comforting on your skin. You can sit up or lay down, Whichever feels best for you. Begin to get comfy now. Wriggle about, Allowing any excess energy to be released. Maybe your whole body is aching. If you need to, Rest on your side or hold a pillow to your stomach. We're not here for perfection. We're here for connection. You know your body better than anyone else. Take your agency and rest however feels best for you. When you feel ready, Let us begin. Bring your hands together and start to rub your palms against each other, Allowing the friction to create some gentle heat. Once you begin to feel that heat, Take a breath in, Slow and steady. Placing your hands over your eyes and gently breathe out, Leaving the palms over your eyes. Take a soft breath in, Noticing the warmth of your hands. Allow this warmth to wash over your whole face. When you feel ready, Exhale from your stomach and think of this warmth move throughout your body, Soothing any aches. Again, Soft, Gentle breath in, If possible, See if you can make it a little deeper than the last. At the top, Hold for a moment and then exhale. Again, Feeling that gentle warmth radiating from your hands wash over your entire body. Last, Soft, Deep breath in, With your palms still over your eyes, Feel your entire body begin to relax into this moment. At the top of your breath, See if you can hold it for a second or so more. If you can't, That's not a problem. When you feel ready, Exhale with a little noise, Maybe a sigh, Maybe a gentle groan or grunt, Anything that feels good to you. As your breath returns to its normal pace, Take a moment to notice how your face is feeling, Relaxing your eyes and eyebrows. Take a moment to observe where your tongue is. If it's at the roof of your mouth, Drop it. Maybe if it feels good to you, You can give your jaw a little stretch, Then allow it to return to a normal position. Your face is warm, Soft, Relaxed. Gently now, Take a deep breath in. As you exhale, Remove your palms from your face and rest your hands wherever feels good to you. This is your moment now, Just to rest. It has been said that menstruating is like a winter, A time to retreat inwards, Finding comfort and rest. Feel the way your skin touches your blanket, Mat or whatever you're lying on. Feel the ground beneath you, Stable, Secure, Holding you. Breathe here for a moment, Allowing our Earth to support you. Everything is soft, Slow, Gentle. Your energy levels may be low today, And that's okay. There is no expectation here, No judgment. Just you and me, Honoring this moment in the cycle that bounds us closer to nature. As you breathe, Notice how your breath moves through your body. Simply observe without trying to change anything. How does it feel? Begin to notice these feelings, Acknowledge them. Nothing needs solving right now. As you exhale, Feel your body get heavy, Gently releasing into the ground beneath you. If you can, And if it feels good to you, Observe your breath as you inhale, And see what you can release as you exhale, But you don't have to. You can just rest here if you like. Be kind to yourself today. If feelings and emotions are surfacing, Let them. There doesn't need to be a reason or justification. It's okay to be emotional. It's okay to cry if that feels right to you. You are supported. You are enough. You are whole. You are not broken. Continue to breathe at your own pace, Following your breath in and releasing as you breathe out. On your next inhale, See if you can gently guide your breath towards your hips, Lower back, Or belly. As you breathe out from this space, Feel your entire body soften. Feel your entire body get heavier, Sinking into the ground below. Like jelly with every exhale. Breathing in, Watching as your breath moves down, Drawing energy downward. Exhaling out and releasing like a gentle cleansing. Breathing in, Notice any pain, Tension, Or aches. Some may feel loud and demanding, Others more subtle and quiet. If you like and it feels good to you, See now if you can release just a little more with each exhale. Begin to observe these tensions loosening. Like the blood you were shedding, Your breath is releasing with you. Each exhale, A moment of letting go. Releasing you from the bounds of society that holds you to standards that do not serve you. Releasing you from responsibilities that are not yours to carry. Releasing you from the expectations of others. Releasing you from the judgements of shame projected onto you. Releasing you from any guilt that is not yours to feel. You are free, Connected to the earth. One with nature. Your blood is a reminder of your power and connection to this. You are an unstoppable force. It might not feel like that now, And that's okay. This time in your cycle is an invitation. We must rest. As in the depths of winter, We go inwards. We do so in preparation. This is your winter. Allow yourself to retreat. Find the warmth that burns inside. Feel the stillness, The pause, The ultimate reset. Feel the air softly touch your skin, Noticing your blankets gently brushing up against you, Soothing and embracing you. You are held, Safely, By your surroundings. Each breath out, A moment of reprise. Each breath in, A reminder to rest. Each breath out, A moment to pause. Today is about softness, Slowing down, And showing kindness and compassion to yourself. We are going to begin our return to the waking world. We will return as we enter it. Slowly, Start to wriggle your fingers and toes, Awakening you, Gently. Bring your hands together and begin to rub your palms together, Creating that soft, Gentle heat again. Place your palms over your eyes and feel the warmth radiate over your face, Like the sun peeking through the beginning of spring, Gently kissing your skin. When you are ready to fully return, Take a deep breath in. As you exhale, Remove your hands from your eyes. Thank you so much for joining me today, And taking the time to pause and honor this moment. I am so grateful you were able to stop by. Until we meet again, Goodbye, My celestial friend.