The Language of Your Body: Embracing God's Design for Your Cycle

by Christina Valenzuela

For most women — whether single, consecrated, or married — our menstrual cycles are present throughout a large part of our existence here on earth. We intuit that there is something strange, strong, and beautiful at work within our bodies. Yet that positive inclination is often at odds with what we have experienced personally or seen among our family and friends.



What good can we find in our cycles, especially when we ponder the fact that both men and women are equally made in the image and likeness of God? The Language of Your Body delves deep into this and other groundbreaking questions, using the wisdom of saints like Hildegard von Bingen, Pope John Paul II and Thomas Aquinas to explore this unique, fundamental aspect of God's design for female bodies.



Despite menstruation being labeled sometimes as a "woman's curse," the Catholic Church invites us to claim our cycles for good. This book is a beacon to all women searching for positive ways to integrate our menstrual cycles into our sense of self, our relationships, and our prayer.

Genres: Catholic

270 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 23, 2024

Reviews

[Jess Kimmet · Rating 5 out of 5]

So grateful for this work and its bold claim that our menstrual cycles—so often seen as a curse and a source of shame—are a place of encounter with God. I especially love that the author invites us into considering this without claiming that there is a moral imperative to do so; she rather gently encourages us in discovering God in a place many of us have not looked.

[Kyleigh Dunn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I follow Christina Valenzuela on Instagram and have purchased her cycle prep course for my daughters (I've only had time to preview two videos, but am looking forward to doing it with my oldest later this summer). Even as a Protestant, I like a lot of what she has to say and was thrilled when I heard about her book. A few years ago, I read "A Brief Theology of Periods" by Rachel Jones, and wanted more.

There are a lot of thought-provoking ideas in The Language of Your Body. Overall, I really enjoyed it. There are obviously theological differences between Valenzuela and myself, her being Catholic and me being Protestant. I expected those, so did not dock any stars based on those areas we would disagree.

I found the section on imago Dei interesting, but overall unconvincing. Some things I'll continue to ponder, but most of it seemed unsupported by Scripture, as far as reflecting God is concerned, anyway. Still, the chapter on liturgy and rhythms was helpful, and foundational for the rest of the book.

I loved the discussion of whether periods existed pre-fall, speculative though it is. The chapter on virtue was probably my favorite, and extra excellent, and where there is the most need for personal application. Her chapter on community was encouraging (I loved the application of cycle syncing to girl drama!), and the one on transitions is one I'd like to go back to as my daughter enters puberty in a few years and when I one day enter perimenopause.

All in all, the book wasn't quite what I was hoping it would be, but I'm still glad I read it. I'm especially grateful for her whole mindset towards periods and female physiology in a way that honors and respects it, which is an attitude that I hope is contagious.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so intelligently written and is a must-read for Catholic women.

[Katelyn Long · Rating 5 out of 5]

Learned new ways to look at my cycle theologically and practically