Some pains and aches might just disappear, the bad news is that other times they might not. These little pains can turn into an actual injury stopping you from surfing - altogether. Listening to the body and taking some time to rest, can save you from having to spend from weeks to months out of the water.

Take me for example, I started experiencing pain from the attachment point of one of my adductor muscles to the pubic bone, creating pain leading down my left leg. I thought, ‘I'll just stretch it out deeper’, and I continued surfing and practicing active yoga. Which actually irritated the injured muscle and caused inflammation. Soon, I found it uncomfortable to sit on my board, sit in general or even during inactivity. Eventually, I had to stop exercising for 3 weeks to purely focus on recovery and gentle rehabilitation, giving my muscles time and space to heal. Now, even a year after I still experience occasional pain. All this, simply because I ignored the first signs of an injury and pushed through, while instead, I should have rested.
You put your head down, spent the time away from the surf, you’re physically ready to return to your active lifestyle, but it doesn't feel the same? 

Fear of re-injury is natural, and this is the part where you have to focus more on your mind, rather than the body. Look at Keala Kennelly (female badass pro surfer) for example, it took her two years to go back to Teahupoo after a horrific wipeout accident she experienced at that very break in Tahiti. Depending on how traumatic your injury was, it can really take long for your mind to be ready than it takes the body to recover. So this is where constant positive energy and encouragement are crucial. You got this, trust the body - it knows what it's doing. 


Nonetheless - injuries always teach us a lesson, they can make us stronger and more aware, they teach us more about our bodies and its muscles, the anatomy and recovery, and in the long run - they make us even better surfers, yogis and athletes.

Our bodies are smart and through injuries, they speak to us when something isn't balanced, we just need to get better at listening to what our bodies got to say. We can seek help and guidance, but after all - we are the ones needing to do all the healing.  

Our menstrual cycles are precious and should be seen as something sacred and divine. During this time, when we are said to be 'with the moon' is when we are filled with radiance and our senses deepen. In a way, our cycles are our very own personal full moon time (how cool is that?!). During this time we become amazingly more sensitive, observant, easily irritated and aware of any imbalances within our bodies. It gets better!

Being a woman is a beautiful thing. According to Kundalini Yoga, women’s auras are 16 (!!!) times bigger than those of man! Nature has blessed us women with the ability to live according to a sacred cycle. This precious cycle allows us to honor our energic, sexual, emotional and spiritual needs each month. Our menstruation is a great blessing and should be honored and respected, let me explain.

What Have You Not Been Told?
There is so much more to the period cycle than what we’ve been taught. Among being biological, periods are emotional, mental but also spiritual. In other words, menstruation isn’t just about bleeding, cramping and getting pre-menstrual symptoms!

In reality, menstrual symptoms are little hidden messages telling us to slow down and honor our bodies. Every month, our periods reveal something new. 

♥ Have you noticed that some months may feel tougher than others?  

♥Have you ever reflect on how each and every month made you feel emotionally?  

Many physical and emotional toxins and traumas are accumulated over time within our body. It is around our period, that we can in complete rawness see and experience the true state of our inner selves. Yes, such kind of honesty and rawness can be very painful and daunting to face. Why? Not because it is something we cannot do or take on, but simply because we haven’t been taught how to listen and live in balance and flow with our cycles. Sounds simple, right?



What Can I Do?
It's simple, our sacred cycle makes us less emotionally available for other people, so make sure to communicate with your friends and family openly. Tell them about your feelings and your needs. Ask them for some space so that you can be more focused on yourself and the lessons you need to learn during this time.

Yes, you guessed it - no one around you will respect your precious cycle unless YOU do, and that is a good place to start. As unpleasant and uncomfortable as your cycle may be, learn to love it anyway. Instead of fighting against the flow of your cycle, learn to flow with it. Listen to your body and act in ways that will honor its needs. After all, it is something that will once allow you to bring a new life into this world. 

To learn more about ways to ease and honor period, read the second part of the blog: Let's Talk - Period [part 2.]: Honoring Your Sacred Menstrual Cycle

What message is there for you to learn?

Why had this experience needed to happen?

Trauma can be transformational, it may take time for us to see it that way at first because initially, it appears as if our life was falling apart. For a moment we may resent everything and everyone around us (including ourselves), feed on the pain, hide in the darkness and take the 'poor me' / 'why me' position. However, once we allow ourselves to step away from these mind's created scarcity situations, a whole new world opens up for us. A world of light, opportunities, and positive changes.

photo by Ashely Joana

Sadly, sometimes the universe needs to give us a little kick in the ass in order for us to awaken. I can almost certainly say, you have been there too. Perhaps that is what you are going through right now? The bittersweet awakening infused traumatic experience. How many times have you heard about great yogis, influential speakers, athletes and life coaches who started their journey from a very dark place?

Let's look at a tree seed, for example. It is hidden buried in the soft dirty earth, comfortable, warm and cozy. When its time comes, imagine this poor seed having to suffer excruciating pain and discomfort in order to sprout and find its way all the way to the surface of our beautiful earth. Only then is the tree given an opportunity for freedom, an endless source of light, and a chance to grow, flourish and bloom beyond its wildest dreams. 

Next time, when you find yourself in a dark and difficult place, try to follow these few simple steps in order to turn your vulnerability into your greatest power:

1. Don't victimize, instead of step away from the victim mode! Things do not happen TO us, they happen FOR us.
2. Accept the situation and experience, this neede to happen in order for you to unlock the magic
3. Observe what can you learn from the experience, and how can this help you to become your best-self.
4. Own your story, there is no place for shame, embarrassment. Your vulnerability is your courage, your courage is your power - use it.
5. Share your story and experience with those around you, you never know how many souls may be going struggling with a similar experience.

It may not always be easy to follow these steps, but the more you remind yourself that there is a different way with a completely different outcome, and the more you practice, the easier and lighter any experiences become. 

Your perspective and mindset are very powerful tools, yet easy ones to benefit from. So which side of the story do you chose?