The Spirituality of Menopause and Peri-Menopause by Simone Burgos, LMT

Published Sunday, May 01, 2011


  Simone Burgos, LMT

For the first thirty years of life, it’s likely that most of us don’t give menopause a second thought. We’re too busy growing – mentally, emotionally, intellectually, and certainly physically to spend much time considering what our body’s journey will be later in life. Somewhere in our late thirties, however, we begin to know in a deep way that menopause is part of our path. For many women this inspires worry … and fear. Fear around aging, around changes in our bodies and lives, in our sexuality and our identity.

We can have confidence though, because one thing that women experience all of our lives, is change. Our bodies are NEVER stagnant. Our hormonal bodies are always shifting – and menopause is just one of those shifts. In fact, peri-menopause and menopause are a gift of change for women.  If we are at our strongest and most confident, we will know that menopause is not a loss at all – rather, it is the recall of the self.

As we hit puberty, our bodies naturally prepare for motherhood – and they sustain that role for a long time. This is embodied – built into our DNA – mapped into us genetically. There’s no judgment about whether we have a family – or a child. It is simply how our bodies guide our journey. Our bodies (and perhaps even our souls) have a map that says that the years in between puberty and menopause are focused on the “nature” of mothering – to be loving and caring – to be focused on others. We see again and again that this is true for us, whether we have children or not. We are the growers of humanity.

Later, when we reach menopause and begin to experience the end of our menstrual periods, we are at an age where our identity begins to shift away from “others” and back to our own process. Our bodies themselves are no longer focused on “mothering” (or finding mates) – our map shifts – and we are once again connecting with self. THIS TIME in our lives is a huge opportunity for a renewed spirituality. Why?  Because spirituality takes TIME and focus. Two things we do not have when we are focused on being the growers of humanity and mothering the universe around us.

Trust me, menopause and peri-menopause should not BE frightening. Yes, this is a period of change (no pun intended), but it can be a time of great laughter and freedom. Our autonomy and power become very apparent to us. As empowered women, we have a renewed freedom from the “roles” that are put on us by others or society. While we might have been tied down by approval in our 20’s and 30’s, this is definitely released as we approach menopause.  We are attractive for US.  We are alluring for US.  We are engaging for US.  It is no longer about others:  a mate, a partner, our children, our obligations.  

Don’t be fearful – be THRILLED! We often achieve great things in the years of menopause. Gifted with time, a renewed focus on self, and LIFE EXPERIENCE, we soar to new heights in life – we begin our own businesses or create amazing new careers, we finish (or even start) our education, we write that book, we take that trip.

USE this time to claim your life and spirituality anew. Rediscover your body. In peri-menopause or menopause our bodies need a new kind of tender loving care and respect. Consider yoga to stay peaceful and fit at this time especially – and Maya Abdominal Massage to gently guide your body through its process – increasing vital blood flow to organs and maximizing hormonal health. Most of all, embrace this time. It is YOUR time – and while every moment in our lives IS ours, we are finally empowered enough to know it – body and soul. 

Maya Abdominal Massage


Simone Burgos is a Certified Arvigo Practitioner, bringing the wisdom of the ancient Mayan tradition to the West.   




The Other M Word, by Elizabeth Carpenter, MS, L.Ac.

Published Monday, December 06, 2010
  Speak with Elizabeth about Your Menopause Transition 212-213-5785

When you’re a woman in your 30’s and 40’s, who wants to hear the M word—menopause?

Yet, the truth is that most women will experience a 5-13 year ramp toward it, with the average age of menopause being 51. These years leading up, are known as perimenopause or pre-menopause. The experience is different for every woman—just like her period is.

Could we just mention here that this is NORMAL? It’s not a health hazard or a disease! It’s a life stage that is ushering in what are often referred to as your “power years”—yep, the ones where Life gets really good! 

Menopause: when your period—meno, has stopped for a full year-- pause. Up until that one-year mark, pregnancy is still very much possible ---even if your periods are erratic—so be aware!

Menopause arrives in 3 flavors: natural, premature and induced

Natural ~ you gradually shift toward the end of menstruation and physical changes drift slowly.

Premature ~ the whole transition happens fast and early (before age 40) and instead of 5-13 years, the transition is just a couple years.

Induced ~ through hysterectomy, chemo/radiation, other drugs or illness.

For the natural and premature groups, the perimenopause transition doesn’t need to be difficult and uncomfortable.
Our experience notes that it often goes pretty smoothly for women who take great care of themselves. They often need no medical support in the form of hormones.

So what does “taking great care of yourself” look like?

You attend to your nutrition, and exercise, and clearly choose a lifestyle that reduces stress, entertains all the feelings and identity shifts of this time, and weeds relationships into “supportive-&-keep” and “makeover-or-terminate” categories.

And, you create a simple routine for energy fine-tuning, which can make a HUGE difference in your menopause transition experience! We find acupuncture & herbs and/or Maya Abdominal Massage to be “game changers.”

Because hormone balance is so linked in with other physical and emotional cueing systems, this makes perfect sense. Physically, mentally and spiritually you are literally metamorphosing! So when we build Suround & Support Programs for our 40’s ladies, we always feature the Big 4: Nutrition, Acupuncture, MAM, and Spiritual Counseling.

If you are a woman in your forties, you’re most likely at some point in your peri-menopause journey. How’s it going? Let us know what’s going on with you . . . we probably can help!


Honoring Your Sacred Body

Published Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Today is my birthday. It is a day to celebrate every good thing that would ever come to me!  Every precious friend, every love, every triumph – it all begins on the sacred day of our birth. On that day, for each of us, we are given a sacred, precious, beautiful body to move us through our life journey. It is amazing.

In our lifetime, our eyes will process more images than we can conceive, they look upon great beauty and will share our deepest soul secrets through even the most subtle of glances. They will be the doorways to amazing visions. Our ears will hear music, not only the kind we will dance to, but in the laughter of friends … and children. They will listen to the stories of those we love and they will share with great empathy in the hard times and will allow us to be there in support and friendship. Our mouths will taste great things – magical things. They will drink from the very fountain of life itself – water. Pure and simple and life giving. Our sense of smell will guide us toward amazing gifts of beauty, like flowers, and homemade bread, and the smell of our partner. Scent will also be a doorway to precious memories, long forgotten.

But it is touch that has guided MY life. It has been my gift of healing – to myself and to others. It has been the guiding force in my life – taking me from teacher to teacher, learning hidden and ancient arts – like Maya Abdominal Massage from a Mayan Shaman in Belize. In my native Brazil, I experienced touch modalities and herbs as a way of healing. My experiences with local "sages of the healing arts" gave me an intrinsic knowledge of the connection of all things. The frequent use of plants and herbs, praying and touch, awoke in me the desire to be of help to others and assist with the reawakening of our connection with all life.

I have learned from great institutions, like the Swedish Massage Institute, to share all of my soul through the healing art of touching another human being. We are born to this world in one sacred body, and every time we reach out to touch another person, or even more – when we are open and vulnerable and allow someone to touch us, we participate in that sacred connection.

I have been privileged and used my gifts to support men and women – but especially women. I have supported them through fertility issues and change of life, I have shared my sacred gift of Maya Abdominal Massage with those of us in menopause and those of us in recovery from illness. I have been graced to participate in healing both physically and spiritually. And today, the day that I celebrate my own sacred birth and sacred body, I am filled with gratitude for all of the bodies I have connected with through my journey.

May you spend this one day amazingly aware of YOUR precious body. May you “touch” those around you in meaningful ways. May you remember to allow others to connect with you spiritually – and physically. You are here to connect, and even through this article, I celebrate your connection with me.

Simone Burgos, LMT

Honor Your Sacred Body with Maya Abdominal Massage 

Simone Burgos is a Certified Arvigo Practitioner, bringing the wisdom of the ancient Mayan tradition to the West.





Summer Comforts – A Bathtime Recipe for Peace, Reinvigoration, and Aura Cleansing

Published Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Perhaps you feel worn down from the heat outside and the stress at your work. Maybe you are stressed because you cannot get away right now (or at all) … but you can create a mini refreshing, playful rejuvenation ritual at home – right in your own bath.  Embrace the healing qualities of fresh herbs and flowers, like basil, rose and mint, and scatter them into your bath. The energy of pure water can rinse a lot of our burden away. Green herbs like mint and basil are things that are still alive and raw, therefore they invigorate your body. They allow you a peaceful, spiritual connection. In fact, they set the stage for a whole aura cleansing.

You will be surprised how refreshing taking a bath is in the summertime. The idea of taking a bath in the summer might sound strange, because it is warming, but that warmth can sooth your weariness – or you can use lukewarm water to cool your soul. You want to feel refreshed, after all! There are so many great ways to take a bath in the summer time.  Here’s one you might not know:  generously sprinkle peppermint leaves into your water (not the essence – the actual leaves).  This benefits your circulatory system…  great for tired legs! Embrace the freshness of the fragrant green leaves – of life.

Another great way to enjoy a fun, easy bath in summer is to use actual rose petals (instead of rose essence). Remember, essences are more warming. With this “recipe” of live rose petals, we are caring for our deeper selves. Your bath doesn’t have to be “just” sensual or only a relaxing event. You can make it fun and playful, like a day at the beach or out in nature. It’s great to take the time to be playful and fun at home as well.

If you simply don’t have time to strip down and lay in a luxurious tub, even sticking your feet in a bucket with luke-warm water and peppermint soap is a quick pick-me-up! Every thing that embraces refreshing water, refreshes life.

Simone Burgos, LMT
Massage
Maya Abdominal Massage and Mayan Wisdom Talks


Work with Simone through personal Mayan Wisdom Talks:

Simone Burgos is a Certified Arvigo Practitioner, bringing the wisdom of the ancient Mayan tradition to the West.

Allow Simone to guide you in a personal investigation of the link between physical and emotional illness in your life. She will re-introduce the use of healing techniques such as prayer, herbal bathing and incense to make ritual a sacred part of your healing process.

This program includes a 60 minute phone session. 

“How amazing I feel after a fresh flower, life, leaves takes away all of the burden of the day, of the week. And cleanses my aura.”


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