Yoga - Why make it essential as we move into and through Menopause?

The M-Word! Let's talk about it, how we can support it and why there are incredible holistic strategies out there to assist the beautiful journey through it.

Yoga for Menopause: Sleep, Strength, Peaceful Mind, Mental Well-being

Menopause is a major life transition, often bringing a rollercoaster of physical and emotional changes, challenges, preempted fate and sometimes, nothing at all. Yes I am on the journey toward it, but I spend almost every client session with women facing, starting, headlining or transitioning out of their menopausal journey. Let's not forget, accoridng to the NHS, this can last on average for 7-years (when you are aware of symptoms - so most likely longer). From hot flashes and mood swings to sleep disturbances and joint pain, it can feel like your body is rewriting the rules overnight. But the good news? Yoga offers a natural, accessible, and effective way to ease many of these symptoms AND at the same time improving overall wellness and life joy (....had to get Bex's middle name in here early).

Below are some snippets of the benefits that yoga can offer, and although in this blog it is related to the period of menopause, I am certain you will agree with me, that these factors are applicable to all stages of life.

Enhance your Machine

(your body-mind-soul)

Menopause often brings joint stiffness and discomfort, in fact studies show that in Perimenopause we are more likely to incur soft injury complaints and injuries, due to the rapid shift in hormones. And when research is delved into, it shows that sex hormones influence our muscles, coordination and our reaction or judgment of time (@Stacy Sims). Yoga, albeit not as good as some jumping and strength sessions, aids in its weight bearing poses, not too mention a kick or two to move into an inverted position or a jump, here or there, is incredible to help stimulate muscle and bone health. It is by no means surprising that there is a lot of research that shows that a consistent yoga practice can be as effective as other forms of exercise in maintaining joint function and preventing stiffness.

Bone Health

As estrogen levels decline, women become more susceptible to osteoporosis. Weight-bearing yoga poses and more reactive movements (as mentioned above) will help strengthen bones, improving density and reducing the risk of fractures.

Zzzz-Time: Sleep

This is a BIG topic, and one we do not have time to go into depth with, but whether sleep is disturbed by life stressors, sleep hygiene, daily routine, busy minds, diet and nutirtion, hormonal changes, night sweats, noisy partners, irratic animals or much much more, we know sleep is essential for our health. It is common to experience changes in sleep through the course of your menopause period (ha) of time. Yoga can aid in many ways, from helping the body to relax and reduce cortisol levels (the stress hormone), through stress reduction in the physical body, the mind, the emotional body and the energetic body, we can offer our being a 'break' and this is where we heal and calm... allowing sleep to become the biggest healing power of all.

Improved Mood

The word 'Mood' impacts each of us on a different scale, we all have personal experience within our own bodies, and equally those of individuals around us. Maybe it is a rollercoaster of highs and lows on a monthly basis or even a daily basis, our mood is our way of trying to regulate (often what we don't understand) out of our bodies. Studies show that yoga can help regulate mood by increasing serotonin levels and improving overall emotional balance. Regular practice encourages mindfulness, helping women navigate hormonal shifts with greater ease, empathy, agency and discovery..wohoo!

The Research

Recent studies highlight the impact of yoga on menopause:

Symptom Relief: Research shows that yoga is as effective as other forms of exercise in reducing menopause symptoms such as hot flashes, fatigue, and mood swings.
Better Sleep: Studies indicate that yoga improves sleep quality, particularly for women struggling with menopause-related insomnia.
Hormonal Balance: Certain yoga postures and breathing techniques stimulate the endocrine system, potentially helping to regulate hormonal fluctuations.

Making Yoga a Part of Your Menopause Journey

It is not too late to start.. Actually maybe it is the perfect time to begin.

Yoga is for everyone, it is inclusive, adaptable, modifiable and offers learnings at anytime of life. Try different styles and certain forms will suit you more, and this changes. Or seek teachers / communties that appeal to you. Don't be afraid to discuss your symtoms with your teacher/guide and learn the magic of listening and being in control of your body.

Closing

Yes, ladies, M-pause is inevitable, but we can ease our individual journeys through the experience. It is a powerful and positive opportunity to learn more about yourself, share your knowledge, empower other women and step into your radiant and positive personal power.

Yoga can be a practive to help empower the journey and enhance your navigational powers with grace, strength and ease.

Rock M-Pause with Yoga and other Holistic Practices.