Menopause is an immense life event that can be approached as an important rite of passage for women as we cross the threshold into a new season. Not only does it usher in a complete hormonal shift but our brains also begin to change in a way that can connect us more deeply with our intuition. This means that menopause has the potential to provide the greatest opportunity for growth since adolescence. 

Considering the fact that menopause is an experience all women go through, we generally don’t
get a chance to talk about it enough, let alone explore how we might engage with this life-
changing experience as a generative rite of passage with the power to teach and heal.

As this workshop falls on the day before Mothers’ Day, we’ll be using some simple journaling
techniques grounded in neuroscience and Jungian psychoanalysis to explore what mothering
means to us in relation to our experience of menopause. Perhaps our children have left home or
are in the process of doing so. Perhaps we don’t have children. Perhaps this is out of choice, or
perhaps it’s not. Perhaps we are now ‘mothering’ our parents. Perhaps we have spent most of our
lives mothering others in some shape or form.

Whatever your experience of mother, motherhood and mothers, in this workshop, we’ll gently be
exploring what it means to ‘mother’ ourselves as we process a whole spectrum of emotions,
feelings and physical experiences that accompany menopause.

The focus will be on process rather than outcome so no previous journaling or writing
experience is necessary and there will be no pressure to read anything out.

Yoga - the physical postures (asana) as well as breath work and mediatation can help in managing anxiety, insomnia, low self esteem, anger, tiredness as well as other symptoms you may experience. A yoga practice is a great way of keeping joints mobilised, building up strength, flexibility and balance as well as releasing deep held stress in the body. The yoga session in the workshop will be fun and accessible to anyone no matter what their level of experience, preparing the way, through opening up the body, to work more deeply.

Donna - I have been teaching yoga for over 20 years and practising for many years more. In this time I have had to adapt my practice for menstruation, two pregnancies and after the births of both my children. I am now 52 - I feel that the peri menopause transition started at around 43, many subtle changes and many not so subtle. My practice has supported me throughout all these transitions although I have also had to deal with a lot of acceptance and letting go as my body has changed. 

I am now almost ready to step into menopause - it feels to be just round the corner. The biggest support for me has been journaling, cold water swimming, time spent outdoors in nature, breath work and, of course, my yoga practice. For me this age is when I’ve felt more ‘me’ than ever before, the most sure of who I am, the most liberated - I really do believe that at this age women have so much to offer, that this is when we are at our most powerful.

 

Rachel  - Now in my early fifties, I’m well over the threshold of menopause. As a writer and teacher with a
doctorate in applying Jungian psychoanalysis to creative writing, the practice of journaling – as
well as yoga, meditation, time in nature and with books, art, loved ones and friends - has helped
immensely towards my own journey processing menopause and more. Find out more
www.rachelnewsome.co.uk