Cyclical Living: A Gentle Way to Reconnect with Your Body’s Seasons
Guest Blog: Gloria Fuson
We’re delighted to welcome our first guest blog contributor, Gloria Fuson, founder of The Soul Body Movement. With her background in movement, wellbeing and women’s health, she shares how tuning into your menstrual cycle can support a more balanced, empowering lifestyle that aligns with your body's natural rhythm.
Why Our Lifestyle Matters and How Exercise Can Support Us
Cyclical living is all about “giving and receiving”: giving your body what it genuinely needs and, in return, gaining a body that functions well, mental clarity, energy and the opportunity to understand what’s happening within yourself each month.
Everything begins with recognising the four phases of the menstrual cycle: follicular, ovulation, luteal, and menstruation.
If you’re new to the concept, I suggest keeping a simple diary (apps can work too if you prefer). Note your feelings, physical signs and any changes in discharge, and pair them with the day of your cycle. After 2–3 months, you’ll likely start to spot patterns and make meaningful connections.
Once you understand the uniqueness of your cycle, you'll begin to see and use the magic within it.
For example, during the follicular phase and ovulation, we’re often naturally more confident, articulate and energetic. These can be excellent times for presentations, negotiating promotions or striving for personal bests physically.
Yet very few of us were ever told, when we first got our period, that resting and nourishing ourselves well during the luteal phase can support progesterone production (the calming hormone) and significantly reduce symptoms like PMS or period pain. Thankfully, awareness is growing, and more women are reclaiming the benefits of working with their bodies rather than against them.
Cyclical living is a holistic approach that touches every aspect of life. It’s not about strict routines or rigid rules; it’s simply about understanding your body so it can support you fully.
Nutrition plays a big part - and yes, seed cycling really can help. Seed cycling supports hormonal balance by providing key nutrients like lignans, magnesium, zinc and vitamin E at the points in your cycle when your body benefits from them most.
Eating enough food, including protein, healthy fats and fibre, and keeping hydrated all make a difference to hormonal balance. Adding seeds daily can be a simple way to boost these nutrients without overhauling your whole diet.
There are many lifestyle factors that influence women’s health, but today I want to focus on movement.
As a movement and fitness specialist with over 15 years of experience, I realised while studying biology in my twenties that it made little sense for women and men to train in exactly the same way. Not only did it not work for many women, but it often left them (myself included) feeling drained and frustrated. The reason? Our hormones.
Your Inner Winter (menstruation - your period)
During menstruation (your period), hormones are at their lowest. Oestrogen (the hormone that supports energy and motivation) starts to rise around day 3–4, but before that, your body simply isn’t primed for high‑intensity effort. Gentle movement is ideal: a walk in nature, slow stretching on your living‑room floor, or light mobility work. These can support blood flow and ease cramps thanks to pelvic movement and endorphins.
That said, everyone’s body is different. If you feel drawn to move a little more and going to a Pilates class feels supportive, that’s absolutely fine, just stay mindful, rest when needed, and tune in closely.
On occasions clients arrive at my classes and tell me they’re on their period and may need to take it easy - I love this! It shows deep self‑awareness and respect for their body.
Feeling safe, physically and mentally is essential for hormonal health. When your mind perceives stress or threat, your body may shift into ‘preservation mode’, reducing functions not essential for survival, such as ovulation.
Seed Cycling ground Flaxseeds and pumpkin seeds at this time can provide your body with essential nutrients to kick-start a healthy cycle.
Your Inner Spring (follicular)
Following menstruation, you enter Inner Spring: the follicular phase. During this phase, your body prepares an egg for ovulation and potential pregnancy, making it a time of naturally rising energy and renewed focus.
If you enjoy pushing yourself, this is your moment. Oestrogen and testosterone rise, supporting strength, stamina, and motivation. Muscle building is more efficient here, and the risk of muscle injury is lower (though ligament and tendon vulnerability can increase slightly) so strength training is great, but stretch with care. Cardio can also feel easier and more enjoyable! A simple seed cycling habit here with ground flax and pumpkin seeds can complement this rise in energy by supporting healthy oestrogen metabolism.
Your Inner Summer (ovulation)
The days around ovulation - is when many women feel at their best. Progesterone starts to rise here, bringing more calm and balance. If you experience mittelschmerz (ovulation pain), try to rest, keep your belly warm, wear loose clothing, and seek medical advice if needed. It can be common, but it shouldn’t be ignored.
You can still challenge yourself physically during ovulation, but remember you’re approaching the luteal phase. Support your body and avoid overexertion.
Fun fact: the immune system slightly downregulates here to prevent a fertilised egg from being rejected - a fascinating topic for another day! An addition of sesame and sunflower seeds during this time begins laying the groundwork for the progesterone‑supporting nutrients needed in the ovulatory phase.
Your Inner Autumn (Luteal)
Then comes Inner Autumn: the luteal phase. As progesterone rises and oestrogen steadily tapers off, your body naturally shifts into a calmer, more grounded energy. It’s a long and often non-linear stage, but to put it simply, progesterone supports steadier endurance here. Slower, more sustained forms of movement, such as longer yoga sessions or low-impact strength work, tend to feel best, especially in the earlier part of this phase. Prioritise stretching and gentler workouts, and avoid fasted training altogether; your body thrives on consistent nourishment at this point. Including sesame and sunflower seeds here can support progesterone production naturally, helping many women feel more balanced and less symptomatic.
If this sounds complicated, don’t worry – cyclical living isn’t about perfection. It’s about connection.
Responding to your body’s needs throughout your cycle builds resilience, nourishment, and a sense of safety in your system. Your menstrual cycle is far more than fertility; it offers a monthly insight into your overall wellbeing.
When you understand your cycle, you can choose the moments that naturally support your personal bests, whether in fitness or at work, without burning out or feeling like you’re fighting your own body.
Most importantly, it helps silence the guilt many of us carry. If a high-intensity class run by an ultra-fit male PT feels unappealing on day 23, you’re not being lazy, you’re responding to your biology.
If cyclical living resonates with you, I’ll soon be opening enrolment for my new course: a guided experience designed to help you align movement, nourishment, and self-care with your menstrual cycle.
Bookings open in late November, with the course beginning in January. It’s fully online, in English, with live sessions every two weeks and ongoing support for three months. It also makes a wonderful self-gift or a thoughtful present for friends, daughters, or nieces.
This is the first course of its kind that I’ve created after years of 1:1 work and workshops, and this initial cohort will receive a special introductory price. If you’re interested, please DM me on Instagram (@thesoulbodymovement) or email gloria.fuson@gmail.com for more details.
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