Embracing Body-Centered Living
This spring has invited many of us to slow down and tune in.
We want to rush, but we are learning that we need our presence, attention, and focus.
We want to do everything, but the constant pressure shuts us down.
We want to spring into action, but our bodies are teaching us to slow down and be intentional with our time and energy.
Spring teaches us that we can give ourselves guidance and direction when we listen to our bodies, connect with ourselves, and receive our wisdom, truths, and stories.
We have learned repeatedly that to rush through it all is to live the same cycle again.
Integration of our stories empowers us and validates our bodies’ experiences.
This is Body-Centered Living, a life that honors and considers the body, both the individual and the collective.
This way of living is revolutionary.
Earth Wisdom: The teachings of Outer Spring
Springtime is one extended Follicular Phase (see below for more information), during which we slowly regain our energy and grow at our own pace. The central theme of Spring is the inner rebirth of maiden to mother (womxn)—the teaching is stepping into our truths and power, shedding the pattern of looking for answers outside of ourselves, and embracing looking within-in other words, embracing the emotional experiences of the body-and living a life that honors our stories, experiences, and cycles.
While this teaching is medicine and sounds beautiful, how do we live a body-centered life in a world and in a time that sends us messages to bypass, ignore, and even neglect ourselves?
We must become revolutionaries.
This doesn’t happen overnight- it is a process of tuning in, listening, and making decisions that honor and consider the individual and the collective body.
Becoming Revolutionaries: Every decision creates a ripple effect
The earth teaches us how to root ourselves in our truth and stand in our power. Our stories are powerful- remembering ourselves back in the body empowers the body, restores the body, and gives life to the body.
When we remember, we honor and learn the lessons of the past- no, we cannot change the past, but we can learn from it.
The learning is what supports us in making decisions that honor the body, big and small.
We feel it all, even if we are not aware of the effects —our bodies grieve, our bodies feel. We become revolutionaries when, instead of ignoring and going on with our days, we pause and feel with the earth, feel with those being affected by systematic change. We become revolutionaries when we honor that we are human and that when our community is hurting, we also hurt.
We become revolutionaries when we honor and understand that we ARE the collective body.
Connecting with the Earth
I invite you to cultivate a practice of connecting with the earth daily, doing whatever feels supportive for you. Open a window, water your plants, walk, cook with whole foods, and live.
We live in a time where many of us want to run away and disconnect- valid- and my friends, the medicine, and what will truly support us is connection.
I always tell those I teach that meaningful connection is the medicine for grief and trauma- when we feel connected, we feel like we belong.
Belonging in the body is feeling at home in the body.
Follicular Phase- Teachings from Inner Spring
During this phase in your cycle, your body is rebirthing; the mantra is "slow and steady." You are coming out of hibernation, and your body may need time to adjust to the changes you experienced during menstruation.
Duration: It begins on the first day of menstruation and lasts until ovulation (approximately days 1-14 of a typical 28-day cycle).
What Happens: Follicles in the ovaries start to mature under the influence of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). One follicle becomes dominant and prepares to release an egg.
Hormones: Estrogen levels rise as the follicles develop. This increase in estrogen stimulates the growth and thickening of the endometrial lining.
Connecting with the child within as a form of self-love & care.
Embodied Movement—This is a great time to move your body without any expectations. Your body just came out of hibernation, so refrain from putting much pressure on it. Intuitive movement and dance are supportive ways to help the body begin again.
Self-love rituals and altars: During rebirth, old beliefs, narratives, and stories are unearthed and come to the surface. This is an invitation to plant new seeds of compassion, forgiveness, healing, and self-love.
Embracing New Beginnings involves being open to new experiences and opportunities with a sense of wonder and curiosity. It’s about being willing to explore uncharted territories, whether starting a new project, learning a new skill, or embarking on a new relationship.
Compassion for the inner child- connect with this part of you to further your connection with yourself
Food & Nutrition: Your body needs fuel
During our Follicular Phase, food is essential- think about it, we just lost a ton of blood, the body was vulnerable, and now we need fuel, care, and support. In addition, since our follicular phase comes right after menstruation, it sets the tone for the next month or so (depending on your cycle). Skipping meals during this time affects our energy levels for the upcoming cycle.
When we care for the body, the body cares for us.
Ways to Work With Me
I am happy to share that I am opening up my practice and taking on new clients.
If you or anyone you know is interested in working with me through somatic therapy, ancestral somatic session, and/or mentoring, you can book a free consultation call here: https://calendly.com/dariela-vasquez01/phone-consultation-services
I am a relational therapist, which means that I am very person-centered. I tailor the sessions for the individual I am holding space for. Currently, I have openings for weekly, biweekly, and monthly sessions.
The sessions we co-create together are rituals and ceremonies.
Together, we hold space for all parts of you. We listen. We tend. We care.
We pour in love, grow through compassion, and nourish your soul.
This is ancestral medicine.
It’s for the women who are tired of carrying it all alone.
It’s for the first-generation daughter doing her best, but her best never seems to be enough.
It’s for the helpers—the social workers, teachers, and mental health professionals—who want to serve others without losing themselves.
It’s for the strong women who used to be soft girls, and want to have her back.
You don’t have to do it alone.
Now more than ever, we’re being reminded how much we need each other.
I’m here to help, to guide, to support.
With love,
Dariela <3
