Back when my third baby was still nursing, my body did something it never did with my other two babies. And it was kind of magical…
At that time I was really paying close attention to the moon and learning all about the energetic rhythms of it and how that relates to our own energetic rhythms or biological cycles.
I was discovering a whole world that I hadn’t connected the dots with before but had indeed been fascinated by.
And then I started teaching people about those rhythms along with the rhythms of the natural world and body.
Because when you pay attention to the rhythms around you, your body naturally starts to sync up with them in your own unique way – revealing to you, maybe, what you need most instead of what you might be trying to force – like the need to rest instead of pushing through to just check one more thing off your list.
It also invites the potential for the transitions that we experience day in and day out of life that create little or big stress – like getting out of the house in the morning on time, that unexpected email or phone call that comes through at work, the dinnertime witching hour (IYKYK), or maybe even preparing for or returning from travel – to indeed become slightly easier for us to move through.
But when we ignore the turning of the seasons, the changing of the moon and the rhythms of routine that we fall into day in and day out, we’re disconnecting from ourselves and from life in a sense. It’s easier to get caught up in overthinking and stay stuck and frustrated rather than perceiving the expansive possibility that exists within stressful moments or seasons.
And when we disconnect from ourselves, we often don’t even notice that the body is trying to communicate with us through discomfort or lack of proper functioning of bodily processes.
It isn’t until we reconnect with the rhythms around us that we often reconnect with the rhythms within us.
And so it was with me – something that had never happened to me before while nursing my previous two children, of course happened with my third (sidenote… number three has been a wild card for us from the start, so why would this would be any different🙃) – my body’s menstrual cycle began again right on cue with the new moon leading up to the Harvest Moon. (P.S. The new moon’s energy mirrors the female body’s menstruating energy😉)
Was I annoyed by this?
Nope – quite the opposite, in fact.
I loved it and looked at it as just a little nod from nature telling me that tuning into the interconnectedness (whoa, that’s a big word…but one of my favs, so get used to it) of all things is actually one of the keys to changing my relationship with stress.
And it has.
Because all stress is perceived – whether it’s positive or negative stress, it’s all how we see it that determines our response or reaction to it.
So when you see the rhythms around you, start to begin to see how those rhythms are also reflected in your own life, offering up a sense of trust and confidence in the bigger process.
Are you ready to start paying attention to the rhythms around you?
That’s exactly what we do at the Rhythms Retreats I host each seasonal shift – we begin to align our actions and energy with activities that align with the season.
Our next retreat is this Saturday evening, and there’s still space to join. It’s only 3.5 hours out of your life (which is really just 2% of the hours in a week) that you’ll be giving back to yourself, but the payoff will last a lifetime – transforming you into a version of yourself that you may not recognize in 5 years. And trust me, your future self will thank you💚.
5:30 PM • All levels welcome A restorative class with longer held postures & mindful breathing to build stress resiliency & bring balance to your fast-paced life.
WEDNESDAY – Yoga + Breath Work Flow
8:30 AM • All Levels Welcome Active, flow-based practice integrating strength, balance and mobility. Intentional breath work practices included.
THURSDAY -The Weekly Breath Reset (Virtual)
8:30 AM • 30-minute virtual breath work Your breath has the power to change how you experience stress. Harness that power of your breath to start your day with intention.
Group & Individual Sessions:
AT YOUR CONVENIENCE – Personalized Group Stress Resilience Training
TBD • At your location or at the studio In these sessions I guide groups through practical, embodied practices—like breath work, mindfulness, gentle movement, and/or emotional awareness—to build stress resilience. Each session offers simple, effective tools to help participants reset, regulate, and respond with greater calm and clarity in everyday life.
Special Events:
Register for both retreats at once and receive a discount! Grab your spot in both here.
SATURDAY, SEP 20 – Harvest Rhythms Retreat
Autumn reflects finishing up, harvesting what you’ve worked towards, letting go to make space for the new, & celebrating. This is the time to remember and align with these qualities in your own life.
The Winter Solstice marks the end of one seasonal cycle & the start of another. Cozy up and finish your year with ease and begin the new with intention.
Register for the Winter Solstice Candlelight Rhythms Retreat here.
What’s Cultivating Health Harmony Happiness in My Life…
Pickleball and Pumpkins!! I’m fortunate enough to be on the preschool board for our church, and this year we are doing our Fall fundraiser differently – we’re hosting a friendly pickleball tournament and family fun fair!
Somehow, I stepped into the shoes of spearheading the efforts for this fundraiser and it’s been a ride, but I am super pumped by how much support we’ve gotten for this faith-based preschool from our community.
I’m feeling grateful for the donations we’ve collected and my heart is filled with even more trust that God is good and indeed providing for this program so that we can have supplies, quality teachers, and offer scholarships for those families who need it.
The podcast:
Listen to Health Harmony Happiness with Cathy and get show notes at CairnYogaWellness.com/Podcast or subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts!
