Lifestyle

We tested it for you... Charlotte Muller's Cycle Syncing method

Did you also grow up with the idea that having pain during your period was normal? What if we told you that it wasn't, that our lifestyles weren't really designed with women in mind, and that if we paid a little more attention to our cycle, we could feel a lot better... That's what Cycle Syncing is all about. This method encourages you to synchronize your exercise and diet with the phases of your cycle. Elsa, our Editorial Manager, tested the method of Charlotte Muller's method and tells you all about its benefits.

Why synchronize with your menstrual cycle?

Swollen tummies, bloating, tender breasts, out-of-control moods and appetites, flagging energy... What if we told you that Cycle Syncing was the key to alleviating (or even eliminating) these menstrual symptoms? Unlike men, who operate on a 24-hour circadian rhythm, women are governed by an infradian rhythm, based on a 28-day cycle and divided into four distinct phases(menstrual, follicular, ovulatory and luteal). Each of our cycles is characterized by specific hormonal changes that impact our brain, our metabolism, our immune system, our nervous and reproductive systems, and our microbiome...

As a result, having the same diet or sporting practices as a woman is not adapted to our cycle and hormonal fluctuations.

Cycle Syncing is a method that involves taking an interest in your cycle and the phases that make it up, in order to adapt your beauty routine, diet and sports training tobalance your hormones and better live your cycle.

The Cycle Syncing method Charlotte Muller

Charlotte Muller is a true hormone expert and yoga enthusiast, who has made a name for herself with her Fertility Yoga classes, a technique favored by gynecologists to promote fertility. A lawyer for 7 years working for major CAC 40 groups, she became interested in fertility yoga when she was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, a hormonal disorder caused by stress. Following numerous unsuccessful in-vitro fertilizations (IVF) and health complications, Charlotte turned to this gentler yoga method, which, according to a study conducted by Harvard Medical School, multiplies the IVF pregnancy rate by 3 thanks to a bi-weekly practice lasting 3 months.

Charlotte then travelled the world to learn all the yoga practices that contribute to hormonal balance. When she offered Fertility Yoga classes at Station F, where the wellness app she co-founded was incubated, it was a resounding success. Her classes attracted a growing number of women with raging hormones and a contemporary urban lifestyle that increased their stress. Given the success of her yoga classes, Charlotte wanted to go one step further and developcardio and muscle-strengthening classes adapted to women and their cycles. So she came up with her Cycle Syncing method, offering practices designed to respect the dominant hormone of each phase of her cycle. Proprioceptive classes, designed around the pelvis and physiologically and anatomically adapted to promote feminine well-being .

During the menstrual phase

During menstruation, the hormone prostaglandin dominates the body, causing the uterus to cramp up, which in turn leads to menstruation. During this phase, transit may be disturbed, fatigue is felt, energy is lacking, the lower back may be painful and the chest tense and sensitive. If sport is clearly not one of our priorities, movement is ideal for relieving period pain.

We tested it for you : Fertility Yoga 2 Doux

This restorative practice calls for relaxation to listen to the body, taking pressure off the pelvic area and opening the hips for the well-being of the belly. Movements are slow and gentle, and our breathing guides us. Like a cocooning cuddle for us and our belly.

During the follicular phase

The follicular phase is marked by a surge in estrogen, which naturally brightens the complexion, boosts energy levels and accelerates muscle recovery. If you're tempted to turn to high-intensity exercise, doing cardio during this energy peak disrupts the hormones in your body and leads to a rise in stress hormones which disrupt your cycle.

We tested it for you : Femina Bar

During the follicular phase, the focus is ontoning muscles and mastering cardio. Blair's Barre Femina class is a real energy boost, inspired by Fit Ballet's dynamic yet graceful movements. Here, the perineum is the star, the abs are in, the back is straight, the shoulders are down and the pelvis is forward. You feel like a dancer whose whole body is working, vibrating under this new-found energy to the tunes of Britney.

During ovulation

During the ovulatory phase, it's time to continue strengthening your muscles, but reduce perineal contractions. You can also opt for cardio exercise, but be careful not to overdo it for too long, as this could be detrimental to ovulation.

We tested for you : Fertility Yoga 1 Dynamic

If this is the ideal time to practice the Abs Hypopressifs class to challenge and strengthen the abs, we've decided instead to turn to a dynamic yoga class to stimulate the hormones. In this class, the perineum is not engaged, and the postures focus on opening the hips, rebalancing the pelvis and expanding the belly to free the abdomen and encourage ovulation. A yoga class that's good for your belly and helps you to refocus on yourself.

During the luteal phase

The luteal phase is the longest phase of our cycle, lasting from 10 to 14 days. During this period, the idea is to opt for progressively gentler practices to prepare the body for the menstrual phase, soothe the abdomen and provide gentle mobility to relieve PMS.

We tested it for you : Yoga Hatha Femina

While yoga as we know it was designed by men for men's bodies, Charlotte Muller's Hatha Femina yoga is for women. Taking into account our anatomy and hormonal cyclicity, this dynamic yoga technique focuses on the pelvis and the opening of the hips. Yoga here is not gentle, but energizing, making us move and sometimes vibrate. A practice that feels good and gently leads us towards the slowness that awaits our bodies...

Our opinion on Charlotte Muller's Cycle Syncing method

"Nestled in the heart of Paris's 9th arrondissement, the Charlotte Muller Method studio is a place dedicated to feminine well-being, the first to practice Cycle Syncing. As soon as you open the door, you're welcomed into a cocoon, a place that invites you to listen to your body. Whether you've come to sweat because your follicular phase has given you the energy you need, or you're looking for peace as your period approaches, each posture is adapted and explained to make you aware of your anatomy. We counterbalance our arch, realign our hips, stretch our belly to free our abdomen... No alignment is left to chance: here, our body is the priority.

Yoga Hatha, Barre Feminina, 3P Pilates or Fertility Yoga, each class is designed for women, to help them better manage their cycle, relieve tension and stomach aches, boost intestinal transit and thus put an end to hormonal imbalances. And it works! I tried out Charlotte's method in July, with one class a week adapted to the period of my cycle. Premenstrual symptoms were reduced, energy was restored and I felt a real sense of well-being... And what if Cycle Syncing wasn't the method we needed to finally understand and live better with our hormones and our cycle?"

Rates & Address

Count €27 for a single lesson, €150 for 6 lessons, or €300 for 15 lessons.

The courses are also available in replay or live on Charlotte Muller's streaming platform.

Charlotte Muller Method9 rue Chaptal Paris 9e

Selection for a good cycle

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Photo credit: Andrane de Barry