Cycles & Self

Cycles & Self is a 5-month journey for girls who are entering or moving through the transitions of puberty and early adolescence (generally ages 10-13), including those who have begun menstruating or are approaching that stage. The space designed for girls who are beginning to explore puberty, menstruation, and their changing relationships in a space where deeper peer-based exploration of this formative time of life is centered.

Whether participants have recently begun cycling, are noticing early body changes, or are simply entering a season of curiosity and transformation, the program offers an opportunity for meaningful connection, learning, creativity, and personal growth during this important threshold of life.

Over the course of our time together, we will weave together anatomy and physiology, emotional literacy, body awareness, creativity, nature connection, ritual, movement, storytelling, and honest conversation in ways that are age-appropriate, grounded, and engaging.

Our gatherings will include a blend of movement, discussion, journaling, hands-on projects, creative expression, and time for quiet reflection, alongside plenty of room for silliness, laughter, games, and friendship. We aim to nurture both the sacred and playful aspects of growing up.

We’ll explore topics such as:

  • the menstrual cycle and reproductive anatomy

  • puberty and body changes

  • friendships, boundaries, and consent

  • emotions, self-esteem, and communication

  • media and cultural messages about bodies and womanhood

  • cyclical living and nature as a guide

  • ritual, creativity, and personal expression

  • caring for ourselves and one another through times of change

This longer-format program allows us to build trust and continuity within the group and creates space to go deeper into the material in a thoughtful, relational, and developmentally appropriate way.

A note on gender
Due to the nature of the content, this gathering is intended for youth who are experiencing or approaching menstruation and the physiological changes of female puberty. We also welcome gender-diverse participants (including non-binary and gender-fluid youth) who connect with this embodied experience of puberty and feel aligned with this container as we also explore the social and cultural expectations of girlhood and growing up.

See the Q&A section below to answer some questions you may have!

DETAILS
Cost: $240 deposit + $72/month || $600 total
Location: Richmond Wellness
53 Railroad Street, Unit 1, Richmond, VT
Timing: one Saturday a month from 11 am - 3 pm

Saturdays:
September 19
October 17
November 14
December 12
January 16

Cycles & Self Q&A

  • This program is designed for girls who are beginning to enter the world of puberty and adolescence, not necessarily only those who have started menstruating.

    While ages 10–13 offer a general guideline, there is no fixed age range, as every girl moves through this stage in her own time. Rather than focusing solely on age, we've created a list of signs of readiness to help you decide whether this program is a good fit for your child.

    Your kid may be ready if you’ve noticed:

    • increasing curiosity about their body, puberty, or sex

    • early body changes connected to puberty

    • interest in conversations about friendships, identity, or growing up

    • a desire for deeper peer connection around these topics

    • emotional readiness to participate in group discussion and reflection

    Because this program is relational and discussion-based, we hope to create a space where participants can engage more deeply with the material and with one another, rather than needing to simplify or accommodate for much younger developmental stages.


  • This is totally normal and she is not alone!

    We encourage you to let her voice her fear and let her know that it’s normal to feel nervous in a new space like this.

    We do lots of icebreakers and games to get to know each other and ease us into the program.

    We have found that after the first session, the girls are a lot more comfortable entering our space and participate in more ways.

    While we encourage girls to push their edges of comfort, we also very much honor their level of engagement and meet her where she is at.

  • Be open to what they want or don’t want to share. Some of the material might be hard for them to communicate back to you (like learning about their reproductive anatomy or their changing bodies).

    Stay connected and let them know you’re available for questions and reflections.

    Make sure to read our emails. We share what can be expected for the upcoming session along with what the girls need to bring. We don’t ask for them to bring much, but for certain sessions we may ask them to bring a special object from home or extra clothes for nature time. Girls in the past have felt embarrassed or left out if they don’t bring something everyone else did.

    Before each month’s gathering, parents/caregivers will receive an overview of what will be covered, along with optional resources and follow-up reflections to help continue conversations at home.

  • We will send an email with what to bring before each session. But you can expect them to bring food and water for each session, plus outdoor clothes for several of the sessions.

  • Yes! If you sign up with a sibling or a friend, you'll each receive a 10% discount on the program tuition.

  • Podcasts
    The Puberty Podcast
    with Vanessa Kroll Bennett and Dr. Cara Natterson

    On Health for Women
    with Dr. Aviva Romm

    (episodes Supporting Teens through the 'New Puberty’ & Hormone Health and Early Puberty)

    Books
    It's Perfectly Normal
    by Robie H. Harris & Michael Emberley

    It's Not the Stork!
    by Robie H. Harris & Michael Emberley

    Sex Is a Funny Word
    by Cory Silverberg & Fiona Smyth

    The Caring and Keeping of You series
    By Sarah Begley

  • See our bios below!

To register

To secure a spot for your child, we ask for a deposit of $240. Then, starting in September the cost will be $72/month.

After you click the link below and pay the deposit, we will send over an intake form and waiver for you.

Don’t hesitate to reach out with questions Thank you!

Pay & secure spot here

About us  

Lizzie Bogosian

For as long as she can remember, nature has been Lizzie’s safe and happy place. Lizzie has spent over 15 years working with youth as a nature mentor, girls' group facilitator, violin teacher, and nutrition educator. As a certified Fertility Awareness Educator, Lizzie is especially devoted to cycle health and holistic wellness, weaving these teachings into what she offers. She believes in the power of rites of passage and the importance of supporting girls through early adolescence with warmth, curiosity, play and reverence. Lizzie is very excited about offering Cycles & Self with Sienna where together we will help support the girls in growing relationships with their bodies, the earth, and each other.

Sienna DeVoe-Talluto

Sienna is constantly delighted by the inspiration she finds outside in nature. She brings a deep passion for empowering others to connect with their bodies and natural rhythms through time in nature, movement, and social connection. Sienna began facilitating spaces for young women 10+ years ago with teen/tween yoga classes and group work that promoted positive body image and self-esteem through conversation and play. Sienna’s devotion to supporting menstrual cycle health has deepened with studying abdominal massage and supporting birth + postpartum doula clients. Sienna is so excited to be offering Cycles + Self with Lizzie!