It’s about bloody time: PERIOD by Emma Barnett

I just finished reading Period by Emma Barnett from BBC Women’s Hour

I spend a lot of my working day referring to and teaching people about their pelvis, abdomen, lower back, breathing, and whole body.

Tuning in to simple sensations in the body is a huge part of the process.

The pelvis is a very prominent feature in this practice.

Many, many people have a really difficult time connecting on this level to their pelvis.

There are so many reasons for why this is difficult.

Emma’s book sheds light on the wider religious, political, historical, medical and behavioural aspects of periods and talks about so much that up until recently was no talked about because it was generally a hush-hush subject.

We are taught about how to relate to this bodily process through education at school (barely) but also through language, behaviour, workplace culture, cultural tradition, religion, politics, family dynamics and the medical system.

I think this backstory is part of why we can become so disconnected from our own bodies and particularly the pelvis.

Having periods, not having periods, problems with periods and all the complicated products, scenarios, feelings and experiences that go along with periods feeds into so many facets of life for all people who menstruate.

It even continues when menstruation comes to an end either naturally or surgically with menopause.

From a therapeutic movement and body awareness perspective, it’s a big deal and can take a long time getting to know the movements of the pelvis.

Let alone the relationship of the pelvis to the hips, the lower back, the pelvic floor, breathing, lying down, sitting, standing and how the pelvis relates to and forms part of the whole body.

I now hold EVEN MORE respect for the pelvis and the full spectrum of experiences that come with periods and pelvic health.

I have learned so much from reading this and would highly recommend.

Thank you for saying it out loud Emma Barnett.

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