The Mindful Menopause Community - it’s our free space to connect!

The Mindful Menopause Community is a space for us to share + support one another and thrive as we move through these inevitable changes.  Whether you only have glimmers of perimenopausal symptoms or you're beyond the last sighting of your cycle (even farewelled them many many moons ago), perhaps you're in the age bracket of 45-55, or for peri-menopause as young as 35 years, it's not optional ~ 100% of females will go through it in their own unique way. 

The idea behind this community space is to expose to anyone interested an open conversation about menopause and the valuable resources of information that can support the changes, which for some may be vast in the forms of physical, emotional, mental even spiritual. I believe there is no need to flounder aimlessly through, nor suffer symptoms, alone nor in silence. I am creating this space for seekers of information + connection with others within a loving environment so as to move through menopause mindfully and supported. I am creating this space for sharers who love to see others thrive. If this already sounds like you - join the community here - it’s FREE.

Symptoms often include;

• (unexplained) joint, muscle or tendon inflammation/pain/injury/stiffness (frozen shoulder is common)

• cognitive symptoms including memory loss, difficulty staying focussed, word finding difficulties, losing train of thought, dizziness, vertigo, becoming confused easily + difficulty in decision making, loss of confidence.

• unexplained emotions, emotional outbursts, feeling moody + depressed

• an anxiousness, erratic + unusual fear-based thoughts, panic attacks

• feeling of isolation, introversion, wanting own space, loss of confidence or want for social activities

• irregular bleeding/spotting and periods (perimenopause)

• no period for over 1 year (menopause)

• aching sore + heavy breasts

• lack of energy and feeling tired, often leading to sugar cravings

• weight gain/belly fat gain, change of shape in waist + torso

• insomnia, vivid dreams + nightmares

• headaches

• reduced muscle tone, mass/density + strength

• itchy/dry skin, loss of collagen in skin, dry brittle nails, hair thinning + loss

• gas + bloating, unusual reactions to foods

• increase in difficulty with cardio exercise, breathlessness ie HIIT, running, fitness classes etc

• heart conditions, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, palpitations, irregular heart beat,

• bladder conditions ie ongoing UTIs + Cystitis

• tingling, electric pulses + nerve sensitivity in extremeties

• night sweats + hot flushes

• hearing loss, tinnutus

• Arthritis, Oesteoporosis

• Low libido

• Vaginal dryness + Urogenital atrophy

• A desire to do what you actually want to do instead of what pleases others and set clear personal boundaries

• A lil bit of Sass in your attitude and how you feel about yourself

• You no longer give a f$%k about what people think of you ……these last 3 symptoms I am choosing to lovingly nurture and expand upon ;-)

I often hear language around ‘symptoms’ being something we suffer, I suggest approaching ‘symptoms’ as a reminder to pay attention to ourselves. Whilst the list above is vast and the ‘change’ is inevitable, these symptoms are providing us with an opportunity to turn our attention to ourselves, resulting in improving our health + life circumstances. Embracing your symptoms as the beautiful reminder that it’s time to turn our loving attention to Self, it’s an opportunity to feel empowered by your choices, it’s an opportunity to explore how you can successfully manage your symptoms and know your Self more intimately.

Unfortunately many women are treated for some of these symptoms directly, rather than being supported in menopause as hormonal loss or fluctuation, often results are frivolous. Whilst symptoms are 'common' and menopause is ‘natural’, that doesn't mean it's normal for women to 'just get on with it'. Many of these symptoms can be supported in various ways, if left untreated and we continue to turn our attention elsewhere, the consequences can potentially be dire conditions, yet can be avoided with attention + love to Self.  Some women will experience only a portion of the above, some with ease, some over a few months or over 10 years, and some ongoing indefinitely.  What is important that whilst this is a natural life event, we do it mindfully WITH the support of one another, in this education and awareness in ourselves we provide the opportunity for those around us to not suffer unnecessarily.  There is nothing more precious than a loving environment to thrive in, I hope you will join me.

Within this platform I’ll share weekly lives, personal chats drawing from my own experiences, case studies of students + friends, recommended reads, podcasts and research material. As a member you can post questions, insights and chat to one another within this private space, which is also an App on your device.  

Members have access to content library including interviews with healthcare experts, recordings of the live classes ~ specialised practices of breathwork, meditation and strength based movement to support mindfully managing peri + menopausal symptoms - available FREE to all Mindful Menopause members until 15th March 2024 ~ thereafter the Mindful Menopause live + recorded content can only be accessed by Breathe + Move with Me members - join at anytime, 24hrs Free Trial, $30/month for unlimited access to the additional 300+ practices.

I am by no means claiming to be the expert (in fact I am only in the glimmers of peri-menopause...that are getting somewhat shinier as we speak ;-) but what I am is willing to be vulnerable and share in this space all that I have experienced so far, what I am or am not doing and why.  I can share anonymously case studies of the experiences of the many women whom I am blessed to be a confidant for.   I also have an unbias opinion on researching the herbal vs medical world of treatment, with a network of brilliant healthcare professionals to connect with and expose to you.  My hope is to lift the suppressive veil of what is never discussed, to remove the idea of being a victim to symptoms (that includes men also!) and instead choosing to mindfully move through menopause with wisdom, action and a tonne of grace in acceptance!

It's more than just your periods stopping, it eventuates as a permanent reduction of your hormone levels, and impacts 51% of the population directly, and the remaining 49% indirectly whether that be their Mum, partner, sister, colleague or barista!  Many women are left to deal with symptoms without support, not always receiving ideal treatment for hormone loss and instead treated poorly for symptoms alone, not to mention the tension that often arises in relationships when symptoms are not addressed nor understood. Hormones have primary roles all around your body, including your brain!  Low hormones can put you at an increased risk of inflammation in joints, diseases including heart conditions and diabetes.  Some of the symptoms should not be ignored, no ‘just get on with it it’s natural’ as they cause long term effects and need to be supported. I also believe some of the symptoms can be approached with grace + acceptance as we embrace the last x 3 symptoms and relinquish societal influences! It's imperative to consider how you will manage these symptoms for your future health, this can be through food, herbs, supplements, alternative therapies, hormone replacement therapy, safe smart + appropriate exercise, breathwork + meditation practices, BUT first’n foremost SELF-AWARENESS LOVE + ACCEPTANCE! 

There is a ghastly marketing campaign out there that targets the suffering of these symptoms and costs a fortune in dollars and time when the source of the situation is not addressed.  Spending time and/or money on applying or swallowing collagen products, skin care products, facial  treatments + therapy, hair-loss treatments, excessive weightloss + fitness programs, anti-depressants and other medication ie blood pressure + cholesterol (unfortunately these medications are flippantly prescribed to menopausal women!) for these symptoms WITHOUT considering how to manage the low level of hormones which is the primary cause, leads to great disppointment and added stress.

Peri-menopause is the gradual exhaustion of egg supply and may be experienced weekly/daily as fluctuations or surges that come and go of the symptoms below, for up to 10 years.  Menopause is considered the exhaustion of egg supply, being that your menstrual cycle has stopped.  Clinical Menopause is usually instantaneous and symptoms can start within days after the ovaries are removed in an operation.  Your levels of oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone are dropping during peri-menopause, then Oestrogen + Progestorone levels eventually deplete once reached menopause (testosterone levels drop to around a quarter of their usual peak and can return to their peak from age 65-70 onwards, hello and welcome back libido!). All three hormones stimulate our brain, keep neurons firing, support growth of new cells to form neural connections, their reduction causes cognitive symptoms above including brain fog, anxiety, depression, mood swings. Oestrogen is an anti-inflammatory so it’s common to have an onset of joint, tendon and muscle conditions.

You can join the Mindful Menopause Community for FREE , includes the live classes + recordings available to you until 15th March, however chats, shares, posts, blogs, supportive community group platform is ongoing. (It’s a platform that you can find anytime at www.inspyameonline.com or as an App on your phone).

Additionally you can 24hr FREE Trial my online Yoga Yogalates Breathwork + Meditation studio ‘Breathe + Move with Me’ for unlimited access to 300+ classes, where the live classes, recordings library + interviews will be exclusive from 16th March onwards.