What represents the menopause in our society is quite known and, in general, not very comforting: in an age in which the "old age" is considered a scarecrow to escape, the end of the fertile period is unmistakable sign of a passage that is going through on the journey of age.
Since the forcing to eternal youth seems rather unrealistic (and, in some cases, ridiculous) we choose to favor another vision of menopause: in many civilizations the woman who can no longer conceive acquires authority in the eyes of the community and is raised to the rank of wise personality and to be listened to with the greatest attention.
This second picture is certainly more conciliatory: fighting against the inevitable passing of time is fatuous and accepting its dynamics has always been natural in human life.
It is not said that they are painless or free from difficulties both from a physical and emotional point of view, but here we can meet yoga: let's find out how!
Why practice yoga in menopause
Despite the pacificatory approach expressed in the previous paragraph, menopause is a delicate period and the way to deal with it varies enormously from person to person (as well as from culture to culture).
Yoga can help women from two points of view, one physical and one emotional . The practice brings undoubted benefits to the body and relieves some diseases related to this period: joint problems, osteoporosis, insomnia, chronic fatigue.
Asanas contribute to a general improvement in physical efficiency, fluency and flexibility . Obviously, in this context, the master's eye will have to be particularly vigilant and guided by common sense: although, on paper, inverted positions could be advised for a given disturbance, it will be necessary to make sure of the real activity of an asana by the pupil at that time, even more so if he is not in full form.
Precisely for this reason, nothing prevents you from using small tools to make the practice more comfortable, or to help yourself with a chair if you have difficulty sitting on the floor. From a more subtle point of view, it is not uncommon for this period of life to be disturbed by episodes of anxiety, depression or stress also caused by a difficulty in accepting the psycho-physical changes that are taking place.
Pranayama and meditation can come into play alongside the asanas precisely in order to face such moments and give greater mental lucidity, emotional calm and stability . Improving the ability to prune one's inner self of limiting thoughts and devaluing superstructures can only pave the way to a more serene and adult acceptance of an inevitable moment in life .
Yoga is an excellent ally against the symptoms of depression
The importance of not exceeding your limits
A final piece of advice concerns the type of yoga to be favored and, in general, the approach to the practice: a declination of yoga that is not particularly intense or acrobatic should be chosen, the traditional hatha yoga, cut to size by the pupil, is also fine.
The menopausal practice will be gentle and sweet and should be guided by the utmost respect for the possibilities of one's body at the time of practice; possibilities that can be improved, but that must be listened to and accepted.
With this approach, the moment of the lesson will turn into an opportunity for physical wellbeing and inner peace, a moment to give oneself in harmony with one's body and mind.
