Thriving Through Perimenopause and Beyond – A Yogic Perspective

“Menopause is the gateway into your wisdom years.”
~ Dr. Christine Northrup

Every time I log into social media these days, from YouTube to Instagram, I'm greeted with a flurry of videos and reels discussing perimenopause and menopause. It seems like my phone’s algorithms have caught up with my age and gender!

The transition into menopause, once a taboo subject, is finally stepping into the spotlight. However, this increased visibility comes with its own challenges. Most discussions frame this natural phase of life in terms of suffering and distress, leaving many women feeling anxious and overwhelmed. The debates over hormone replacement therapy (HRT), passionately argued from both sides, only add to the confusion.

On World Menopause Day, October 18th, I will be speaking to 700 women in public service about how we can reframe this transition from one of dread and suffering to one of ease and thriving. Regardless of whether you choose hormone replacement therapy or not, menopause is a time to look inward and reflect on life.

Who am I—really?

What do I want?

How do I want to live?

What lights me up?

It's an opportunity to ask: "Am I living authentically?"

When I first delved into the world of menopause during my yoga therapist training, I was amazed at how simple practices—like breathwork, calming the nervous system, tuning inward, and small daily self-care rituals—transformed the lives of the women I worked with. To my surprise, they reported better sleep, fewer hot flashes, and reduced anxiety in remarkably short periods of time. I also discovered something unexpected: menopause isn't a one-size-fits-all experience. A study by the American Journal of Medicine showed that menopause symptoms vary widely and aren’t universally linked to disease or distress, as we often hear.

In Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of natural healing and yoga's sister science, menopause is seen not as a problem or pathology but as a natural transition. It is viewed as an opportunity for spiritual growth, creativity, and freedom. Having said that, I feel it is important to acknowledge that the physical changes can feel unsettling. Hot flashes, insomnia, and other symptoms are very real for many women, but could those symptoms also be calling us to pay attention to something deeper?

For so long, we have been shaped by societal pressures to serve others, succeed at work, and stay youthful. Maybe these hot flashes are burning away the parts of ourselves that spent years trying to fit into those boxes? Perhaps this time of transition is asking us— through these symptoms—to let go of what no longer serves us and rediscover who we truly are.

Menopause is more than a physical transition, it is an emotional and spiritual one. It invites us to reconnect with our joy, our playfulness, and even a bit of rebellion. It’s a chance to step away from perfectionism and rediscover our inner child—the part of us that knows how to live freely and authentically.

As we step into this new phase, we have the opportunity to thrive, not just survive!

In future posts, I’ll share habits and practices to help you navigate perimenopause and beyond with ease, vitality, and confidence.

What if this isn’t the end of our youth, but the beginning of living more authentically? What if this is your time, and what if the best is yet to come?

Happy World Menopause Day!

With love and light,
Monica