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.   

  Speak privately with Elizabeth about your Women's Health & Hormone needs.

“It’s all in your head.” Only recently, this was not uncommon thinking and the professional medical response to women suffering from the hormone instability natural to the decade or more prior to menopause.

Even now we see patients being given anti-depressants first and questions asked later. Sometimes she is offered birth control pills. But many women in their 30’s and 40’s either don’t want to be on medication or they are hoping to conceive.

Just as we think of puberty as the ramp UP to hormone stability and peak fertility, peri-menopause is the ramp DOWN. We've spiraled around for a second run on the same issues: cycle changes, mood swings, wired-tired, insomnia, concentration issues, acne, anatomical changes, body image issues, attention span shifts, metabolism & weight changes and more.

And, just like in puberty, with all of these changes we're invited to deep pondering and reflection…another opportunity to ask, “Who am I? What do I want in my life? How do I want to DO my life? What turns me on? What isn’t working for me?”

If the menopausal years are the Driver’s Seat—you’ve cracked your career and are enjoying the privileges, or you are making a career change that expresses your talent and interest more authentically, you know who you are, your self-expression is full, you’ve made some money, your kids are independent—then the decade or so leading up is your Learner’s Permit.

You’re in a maturity transition.  :)

This is a natural stage of life. The physical changes in your cycle, energy, cognition and other aspects of your health are NOT just about aging. They are largely about – and can largely be controlled by—your attention to yourself!

In these years we tend to be gunning hard. We’re full throttle professionally; we’ve earned our place. We’re multi-tasking like sorceresses—family, career, aging parents, children, pets, household. And very often we’ve depended on will-power and the regenerative mojo of youth to sustain the pace!

But now the piper needs a payment. And while it may seem like an inconvenience after so many years of doing as we pleased, she’s not exacting a very high price. But default on your payment at your peril!!!

To enjoy the abundance of this time of life and minimize or ELIMINATE many of the symptoms, we need to pay attention to our bodies through nutrition, exercise, sleep. We need to make alone time for introspection to ask those key questions. We need to prioritize and attend to ourselves! “Work smarter not harder”—genius and true.  And for goodness sakes, we need to lighten up and PLAY more.

There is SO much you can do to have an easier and much more enjoyable hormone transition! Talk to us! Get off the hormone roller coaster!

Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine, Maya Abdominal Massage, Nutrition, Counseling and Yoga – every single one of these has been changing women’s lives for thousands of years.

You’re hitting your prime! . . . Enjoy it!

Call or email Oriens to find out how You can be supported through your transition!
212-213-5785 or info@oriensliving.com

  Dance with Rachel every Wednesday Night!

We all know the “shoulds” behind exercising. What I mean is we all know why we should exercise. Exercise helps us manage our weight, combat chronic disease, improve energy levels and reduce stress. These are all great benefits. So how come it is still so hard some days to get to that class or get on that yoga mat?

I believe the answer lies in how we frame exercise or “movement” as I prefer to call it. We’ve made movement just another chore, another item to check off our check-list. So what if moving our bodies was not just another “should” but was a gift and a pleasure we give to ourselves?

I think the key to this shift in thinking is discovering how your body loves to move. Movement is not a one-size-fits-all prescription that can be applied to every person. We each have unique ways that our bodies find joy in moving. So how does your body love to move?

I believe this is a difficult question for many women to answer because so many of us have lost connection with our bodies. Or we have lost the joy of connecting to our bodies. As Elizabeth Carpenter MS, L.Ac., CEFP says: “women’s lives are tied to their bodies at every stage of life. As young women we are often taught to focus on our faults, feeling that something is wrong with us and thus we lose connection with our bodies and what brings us pleasure. Women are the sensors and feelers. Dance helps reawaken that connection, that special gift we as women have."

The emphasis in Nia (dance) class is on reconnecting to our bodies through pleasure, not pain. There are no “shoulds,” allowed! Each person’s unique way of moving is honored and encouraged. It is truly a beautiful sight to see a room full of people moving to the same song, each in their own distinctive way.

So why not make exercise a joy instead of a “should?” Come to class, reconnect to yourself and explore how your body loves to move. As I say to all my students, the joy that can be found is limitless!