Writer: Lucia Farina
Since working at the studio I have learned a bit about menopause and it's such a normal conversation. A client at the space the other day said "wow i love it here I can openly talk about menopause and it's not taboo", of course, I literally laughed, it's just an every day topic around here.
It got me wondering though, why anyone would think it to be a taboo subject?
Menopause is a natural biological process that marks the end of reproductive years in a woman's life. That's literally it. Why would that be taboo?
Yes, yes, okay, we know it can bring about a range of new physical and emotional experiences but it's important to remember that it's not the end of the world. In fact, menopause can be an empowering journey for women as they enter a fresh phase of life with newfound freedom and possibilities. I mean, when I hear someone is going through it I'm in celebration mode saying, congrats!!!! No more periods? WOW that's so cool (says me here, not rushing my life away but with monthly periods for absolutely no reason as I never want to give birth, no regular bleed sounds DIVINE).
What I have learned is that while the hormones are finding their "new normal" there can be some stress, mood swings and generally a bit of upheaval. What I've also come to understand is that generally, both women and men, (not forgetting the media) view and portray menopause in a negative light, emphasising the negative physical and emotional symptoms that women may experience going through it. This can lead to a societal perception that menopause is a time of decline and loss, rather than a natural transition that marks a new phase of life. Not to mention the individuals view of self through the changes. The hormones are rebalancing themselves, it's not about the mind deteriorating or suddenly becoming totally different personalities and people!
This blog is called Me - No - Pause, because I wonder how many people are taking a bit of extra time for self care while all these changes are taking place. With families, work and loads to manage, do things feel a bit more over whelming? I can only relate this to PMS which absolutely affects me and I guess is a mild form of what menopause could potentially feel like, but for a longer duration. Much like is mentioned in the blog posting from a few months back, Match your mood, Pilates is pretty holistic in its approach. So with that in mind, can cater for many people, conditions, emotional states and energy levels. INCLUDING menopause.
Pilates during this time, could be used in a way that prioritises self love, taking time to zone out from the external stresses of daily life. A moment of pause, (in a way) and focus on well being. Being a low impact exercise, it can be done with little energy too, for the purpose of connection to self because it encourages relaxation, deep breathing, and mindfulness. With a focus on the breath it can help to activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for the body's rest and digest response. Needed for any major life event really.
We can go on to talk about all the hormonal changes and bone destiny fears put into us, but I really wanted to keep this blog about self care during the process, and how Pilates can be a tool for that. One thing that is also helpful about Pilates is the fact it keeps us mobile. So many people use the term "I feel old" when their body just doesn't operate at its usual, or when we are stiff, we use that language too, saying we feel "old". Which really is unfair because many people who choose to age actively actually feel great, even AFTER menopause! We have women like this who frequent the studio often! There is this stigma though, that going though menopause suddenly makes you old or FEEL old. Ageism is a pervasive issue in our society, with many negative stereotypes and attitudes towards getting older, in general. I say it's nonsense and if there is a feeling of oldness creeping in, it might be that a mindset shift is required or that you need to keep practicing Pilates to keep things oiled up nicely and keep you moveable. Apparently a youthful body is one that move. I think it was Joseph Pilates who said that exact statement!!
Taking time to pause during the process of menopause isn't about stopping completely. It's about owning where you're at on the day, communicating it and making sure we can give you what you need. Remember Pilates is extremely versatile as a method, there's something for everyone from all walks of life and is inclusive of your moods and hot flushes!
It's really important to educate yourself on the process and not be upset by myths and media hysteria on menopause. It's time to know that arriving at menopause can be empowering, exciting and a time of celebration!
A podcast we really enjoy and would love to share with you is The "Wellness Women Radio" by Dr. Ashleigh and Dr. Andrea as it's full of great info, it's supportive and gives loads of tips on how to manage hormones generally and feel better being women on a daily basis!
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