Tides Within – Reconnecting to Our Cyclical Nature Through the Rhythms of the Earth
- Brainz Magazine
- Jul 23
- 5 min read
Carmela is an internationally recognised yoga educator and movement specialist with over 25 years of experience. She is the founder of Yoga Rhyth’OM and leads teacher trainings, retreats, and wellness programs that blend traditional wisdom with modern science.
Have you ever noticed how some days you feel like dancing on the beach under a full moon, and other days you want to burrow into a blanket fort and disappear into your own quiet world? That’s not moodiness. That’s nature speaking through you.
We are tidal beings subtle, shifting, seasonal. Just like the Earth, we have our own moon phases, cycles, and sacred spirals. And yet, in modern life, we’re conditioned to override these natural rhythms in favor of productivity, sameness, and “just push through.” But pushing is not always the path. Listening is.
As a yoga teacher and movement educator who’s spent decades teaching students, I can tell you this with certainty: when we learn to live in harmony with our inner tides, everything changes. We soften, we become more powerful, and we live more fully aligned with nature, with ourselves, and with the divine flow of life.
We are not linear – We are lunar
Mainstream culture loves the straight line: wake up, work hard, be consistent, repeat. But life isn’t linear. Nature certainly isn’t. The moon waxes and wanes. The ocean ebbs and flows. Trees bloom, drop leaves, and rest in stillness before budding again. Why would we, who are nature made manifest, be any different?
When we ignore our cycles, we burn out. When we honor them, we bloom. We are not machines, we are oceans in motion.
This is especially true for women, whose bodies are governed by the monthly lunar cycle, but it applies to everyone. Every human carries within them a seasonal and emotional rhythm. There are times to rise, create, and be visible and there are times to retreat, reflect, and restore.
The body knows. The breath knows. The tides within us know. We just need to start listening again.
5 ways to tap into your own ebbs and flows
Ready to tune into your inner tides? Here’s a simple guide to get you started:
1. Sync with the moon
The moon is the ultimate timekeeper for the subtle body. Track her phases and notice how they reflect in you:
New moon: A time of stillness, intention-setting, and rest. Think yin practices, journaling, long baths, and nourishing food.
Waxing moon: Energy builds. Ideas sprout. This is a great time to plan, move more dynamically, and create.
Full moon: Peak energy, visibility, celebration. It's a time for expressive movement, rituals, and social connection.
Waning moon: A time to release and reflect. Let go of what no longer serves. Focus on exhalation, digestion (of food and emotion), and spaciousness.
Tip: Use a moon calendar or app to track how you feel at each phase. You might be surprised by the patterns.
2. Honor your menstrual (or energetic) cycle
For menstruating women, the menstrual cycle is a mirror of the seasons. But even post-menopausal or non-cycling folks can tune into a four-phase energetic cycle:
Winter (Menstruation / Deep Rest): Retreat, restore, do less.
Spring (Follicular / Rebirth): Energy rises – plan, dream, initiate.
Summer (Ovulation / Expression): Shine bright – connect, lead, dance!
Autumn (Luteal / Discernment): Slow down, reflect, complete.
Tip: Keep a journal of your energy, moods, sleep, and intuition for one month. Then align your movement, work, and self-care accordingly. You’ll feel more ease and less resistance.
3. Shift your yoga practice with the seasons
Ditch the “one-size-fits-all” approach to practice. Instead, let your body guide the way. Some days you might crave power flows and sweaty releases. Other days, savasana is the whole practice.
Tip: Ask yourself before stepping on the mat: What do I really need today? Then honor that answer, without guilt or expectation.
4. Spend time in nature (without a timer)
Get barefoot on the earth. Lie on the Earth, watch clouds shift, and immerse yourself in the sky above. Let your body feel the breeze. No agenda. No selfie. Just you and the pulse of the planet.
Nature teaches us without words. Her rhythm is medicine for our modern minds. The more time you spend immersed in her pace, the more your own cycles begin to make sense.
Tip: Make a weekly ritual of “wild stillness.” A walk without headphones. Sitting by the ocean. Watching the moon rise. Let your nervous system recalibrate.
5. Practice self-compassion like it’s a superpower
The truth is, you’re going to have days when your energy is flat, your patience is low, and you don’t want to work out. That’s okay. That’s nature. You are allowed to have seasons. You’re not broken. You’re beautifully cyclical.
Speak to yourself with the same kindness you would offer to a child who needs you.
Tip: Try this affirmation: “I am allowed to ebb. I am allowed to flow. I trust my inner tides.”
Let nature be your teacher
If yoga has taught me anything, it’s this: the more I align with nature, the more I return to myself. Whether it’s the pull of the moon on my body, the craving for stillness in winter, or the quiet joy of a rain-soaked morning, there is wisdom everywhere.
You are not separate from the Earth. You are the Earth breathing, changing, evolving.
When we embrace our cyclical nature, we stop fighting ourselves. We find rhythm in the chaos. We rest when it’s time. We rise when it’s time. And in doing so, we remember we are not here to be the same every day. We are here to be alive.
So, remember to tap into your ebbs and flows. And if you ever feel lost, look up at nature’s magnificence and be grateful you get to experience this incredible life.
Read more from Carmela Lacey
Carmela Lacey, Yoga Teacher, Movement Educator, Wellness Advocate
Carmela is a highly regarded yoga and movement educator with over 25 years of teaching experience. As the founder of Yoga Rhyth’OM, she combines traditional yogic philosophy with modern movement science to create transformative experiences for her students. Her work spans yoga teacher trainings, women's wellness retreats, and educational programs/classes focused on functional movement, breathwork, and cyclical living. Known for her grounded wisdom and heartfelt teaching style, Carmela empowers others to move with awareness, age with grace, and live in rhythm with nature. Learn more about her offerings and articles through her Brainz profile.
Photo Credits:
Chloe Merid
