The Cycle Syncing Method is inherently masculine…so why do it?
I was out to coffee this week with a beautiful new friend and we were discussing masculine/feminine and all things cyclical living when I mentioned how the method of cycle syncing as it’s portrayed today is very masculine in nature. The masculine is one of structure; it’s linear and goal-oriented and rigid. To cycle sync is to learn how long each phase of your menstrual cycle lasts, create a list of items to complete in each phase according to the energy present, and move through each phase from one to the next in a structured and predictable manner. But that’s not how the feminine works. She works in nuances and cycles with energy that ebbs and flows. Our hormones don’t have 4 equally distributed phases. We have a distinct internal energy peak and then our energy makes a journey to an external energy peak. And all along the way there is a dance of hormones, energy, and expression not dissimilar to a waltz; the steps are specific but you move all along the dance floor circling over and over as you make your way to position. Our energy does the same; all four phases dance together and overlap to adapt to your circumstances, stress levels, nutrition, and more. There’s no such thing as a perfect 28-day cycle because your body shifts to your needs and environment; if you have significant stress during ovulation it may bump your period and reflect a longer cycle. If you have been undernourishing your body it may change the length of your luteal phase or follicular phase.If you’re increasing certain herbs you may quicken your bleed. There are variables that change your experience because you are highly adaptable and designed to literally go with the flow. Your body is aligned with a long-term strategy and will continuously adjust to support your health and vitality.
So why cycle sync if it's masculine in nature?The method of cycle syncing (dubbed by Alisa Vitti) is a highly structured method with masculine framing at its foundation. It says you have 4 phases, you must do x, y, z in each phase, and you can use this method to fit into whatever masculine system is needed while accommodating your hormones. There is some flexibility in her original teachings but I think ultimately, she started a great conversation but there’s SO much more to be done. The science around our menstrual cycle is finally catching up with our bodies but it's become a tool for many women to still be in their masculine while "hacking" their hormones. The real magic is when you lean into your feminine and dance with the intuitive wisdom of the body over a hyper-structured method like cycle syncing. Cycle syncing offers a foot in the door to your analytical mind that tells you it’s not safe to be in your intuitive, gentle feminine. We can use it as a support system as we transition from operating solely from a masculine state that demands timelines and rigidity, to the intuitively led feminine who knows her needs at every step. When women first learn to cycle sync it’s because they are usually so disconnected from their bodies that they don’t know what’s happening or why they feel like a rollercoaster of emotional highs and lows. So cycle syncing is a beautiful tool to use as a starting point and helps you understand the underlying blueprint of your biology. But, we don’t stop there. As you learn this method, my goal is to teach you how to ultimately let go of the structure of it all and into your own body’s knowing so you can honor what’s present each day and each moment. You start by discovering how you might feel more prone to networking events and social activities in your ovulatory phase. Eventually, you become tuned in to your body so you can shift and adapt to the colors of your life without sacrificing your cyclical nature or femininity.Cycle syncing is a map but your body's wisdom is the compass. The map is a great high-level overview and helps us chart a course, but until you’re walking the peaks and valleys, you won’t know exactly what steps you’ll take despite your best planning. Life is not predictable - it’s nuanced. There are unexpected storms, shifting terrain, and variables you must navigate at the moment. The wisdom of feminine is masterful at the ebb and flow and she is the compass that guides you when the map no longer applies. This is the heart I teach cycle syncing from- not a rigid structure demanding flawless execution of each step. It’s just a starting point to reconnecting with your body and getting a feel for the journey but YOU are the most important part. Your knowing, your wisdom, your relationship to your body, and your communication with her needs and desires. This is why I love somatic coaching in tandem with cycle syncing. It helps you develop trust and build a relationship of safety and trust with your body while letting go of the masculine shield.
You hold the power- not some technique or method only developed in the last 10 years. You have hundreds of thousands of years of feminine wisdom woven into your being and it’s my ultimate goal to help you tap into that by way of cycle syncing, and somatic coaching. Familiarize yourself with the map through my course Cycle Sync For Life. Awaken your power through somatic coaching. The door is open- are you ready to walk through?*Cycle syncing, also known as menstrual cycle syncing, was first coined by Alisa Vitti, an expert in women's hormones and integrative nutrition, in her book “Woman Code” in 2014.
