"Knowledge is power. Information is liberating. Education is the premise of progress in every society, in every family."
Kofi Annan
This week I have been reflecting on education and how lucky we are in these modern times to have access to so much information (perhaps sometimes too much!) to support our health and wellbeing needs. Menopause is a case in point! Recently I have been thrown into the perimenopause with a bang and it has been quite a shock. The experience of low mood, heavy bleeding and joint discomfort has left me feeling quite bewildered and powerless at times. In our youth-obsessed culture it is all too easy to ignore that our bodies are naturally ageing! So while preparing for my Menopause Workshop on the 1st of May, I have been taking refuge in the many inspiring teachers I know who offer work in this field such as Uma Dinsmore Tuli and Petra Coveney (see above pic). I have been connecting with their books and practices and this is helping me feel more empowered and less bewildered! This is a wonderful benefit of my work that supporting you also supports me!
A chance conversation with my Mum reminded me how lucky I am to have this support at my fingertips, it was not the same when she went through "the change" and I wonder about how little support my grandmothers had too. Many of you will know how personalities such as Davina McCall and Mariella Frostrop have recently raised the profile of menopause to a wider TV audience and last year helped to push the government for more menopause support, better education and reduced fees in England for HRT. I am pleased that things are changing but we still have a long way to go.
Reduced bone strength is just one of 30 experiences (as opposed to symptoms!) now linked to the menopause. Did you know that 10% of our bone mass is lost in the first 5 years of menopause due to lower levels of oestrogen and that the risk for sustaining any fracture from the age of 50 years has been estimated to be as high as 53% among women and 21% for men (Age UK, 2019). Now regular exercise is widely recognised as a vital part of menopausal self-care. For me, yoga and somatic movement are ideal ways for us to help keep our bones and muscles strong and flexible whilst at the same time release stress & tension and provide us with the mental clarity & vision we need to engage with and enjoy our lives. It helps support us on the physical but also and importantly the mental, emotional and spiritual planes.
Below you will find details of my Menopause Workshop with medical herbalist Louise McAleese, coming up very soon, which I hope will be the first of many as I delve more into well women yoga. Herbal medicine and yoga have been such great supports in my life I wanted to combine these two complementary therapies into a morning of nourishing self-care whilst at the same time offer information and support to educate us and allow us to connect. The workshop is open to all women. Whether you are curious about the menopause, in the throws of perimenopause or out the other side. We would be truly delighted to have your presence there!
A Peaceful Pause - A Morning of Menopause Selfcare - Sunday 1st May
A wonderful morning workshop of Menopause Self-care at Milnathort Town Hall. As perimenopausal ladies ourselves this is a subject which is close to our hearts and last year Louise also set up the Kinross Menopause Cafe which has been a great success. The workshop will include a yoga class with gentle movement, breathing exercises and guided relaxation and a talk about symptoms of the menopause & how herbs can help, a chance to connect with each other and a tasting session. We hope you feel inspired to join us!