Ahead of her upcoming menopause yoga day retreats in Chelsea and Soho, triyoga teacher Petra Coveney talks about recent shifts in cultural attitudes towards menopause and specifics on what she covers during her six-hour retreats and women’s circles.Â
Menopause used to be an awkward word that was mumbled with embarrassment and associated negatively with aging, a loss of fertility and sexuality – and a diminished sense of self-worth. It doesn’t help that there are over 24 common symptoms associated with peri (pre) and post menopause, including hot flushes, night sweats, headaches, weight gain, loss of libido, anxiety, brain fog and insomnia – to name a few.
Menopause isn’t exactly something that women have looked forward to.
But in recent years, there has been a shift in cultural attitudes towards menopause by a new generation of women refusing to feel ashamed about this natural, normal change in their hormone levels that can affect your body, mind and emotions. Women are educating themselves about the causes of and cures for these symptoms. They’re learning how to better balance their hormones to enjoy a more positive experience. This is inspiring!
With knowledge comes a sense of empowerment as you make choices about whether to use medical approaches, such as Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), or learn how to manage the symptoms ‘naturally.’ While some women are unable to take HRT for health reasons, others find they need to combine HRT with natural approaches for the best results.
As the first yoga teacher to become a member of the British Menopause Society for health practitioners, I support a woman’s right to choose what works best for her. That’s why my menopause yoga and well-being workshops combine the latest scientific information about HRT as well as learning specially adapted yoga poses, mindfulness meditation, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, stress-reducing breathing techniques.
My workshops are based both on scientific research and personal experience. I went into an early menopause and to get through it I used yoga, meditation, breathwork, CBT and all of the other techniques that I share – so I know they work. I have also spent time researching changes to nutrition, natural remedies and Ayurveda, and sourced clothing and other products that I know work because I’ve tried and tested them myself.
Due to popular feedback the workshops have been extended to 6-hour day retreats. This extra time means that you’ll also gain an overview of:
– nutrition
– natural remedies
– Ayurvedic guidelines
And in our women’s circle, we’ll have the option to discuss:
– sex and relationships
– menopause in the workplace
– skincare
– clothes
– and other ways to ‘nurture and nourish’ yourself
Women used to tell me that they felt isolated, afraid and alone – and many didn’t know the difference between perimenopause and post menopause.
The menopause yoga workshops help educate and empower women to that they can embrace the menopause. We want to transition through this natural, but destabilising, stage in our lives and come out the other side of it happier and healthier than ever.
Who says you can’t enjoy a positive menopause?
Petra is a member of the British Menopause Society, a British Wheel of Yoga qualified teacher and one of triyoga’s teachers. She has been practising yoga for over 20 years and brings a wealth of life experience and a knowledge of breath and movement to her alignment-based Vinyasa Flow classes. She also teaches Hot Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Meditation, Inner Axis Yoga (for stress and anxiety).
Petra will be leading two menopause yoga and well-being day retreats at triyoga. This first takes place on 21st July 2019 in Chelsea and the second will be in Soho on 13th October 2019. Click here for more information and to book your spot in Petra’s upcoming menopause yoga day retreats.
