This is a paid piece from Barre3 Sioux Falls.
Simplified: Barre3 is all about finding balance within your body and mind, and that balance is all the more possible when you align your movement with your menstrual cycle.
Why it matters
- Your cycle is your "fifth vital sign," said Jada Dobesh, founder of Selah Space, a holistic wellness nonprofit. That means it provides important information about what your body needs, and tuning into that information can help your workouts compliment your overall wellness.
- It's also helpful to know where you're at in your cycle, which starts with identifying your last period and then moving through the phases: follicular, ovulation, luteal and then back to menstrual again. When in doubt, Dobesh said, your best bet is to treat each phase as one week until you've got a closer feel for your specific phases.
- Knowing which phase of your cycle you're experiencing can also help you decide which Barre3 classes to take in a given week, how heavy of weights to use, when to lean in to cardio and when it's a good time to spend a few extra minutes for mindfulness.
"You should listen to your body and support it all cycle long," Dobesh said. "When you do that, your period is kinder to you because you're kinder to your body."
Tell me more
Here's a quick breakdown of what to think about during each phase of your cycle.
Follicular
This is a good time to take a Cardio class. You're at the point in your cycle where you have a lot of energy, and your body is ready to go a little harder.
Ovulation
This is the most energy you'll have during your cycle, so you can have a little fun choosing your favorite classes.
"This is where I would lean into the Signature class because it's fun, and it's got a little bit of everything," Dobesh said.
Luteal
This is a time to really listen to your body because you don't want to push too hard. You might opt to choose lighter weights than you're used to, and be sure to make time for the breath work at the end of class because recovery is extra important.
Menstrual
On the heaviest days of your period, you may only have the energy for a walk around the block. Or, if you find yourself in class, it's a good time to take modifications and be gentler with your movements. Those heavy weights from two weeks ago? They probably won't suit you as well during this time.
As soon as your period lightens up, though, it's a great time to take a Strength class because you're going to build muscle the best at that time in the flow between menstrual and follicular phases.
How can I get signed up for class?
Wherever you're at in your cycle, Barre3 Sioux Falls has a class that suits what you need, with modifications and options to meet you wherever you are on any given day.
Your first class is free, and you can sign up here.
