Why Menopause Yoga beats Regular Yoga at this stage of life

There are many different genres of yoga that are suitable for practicing during menopause, but there’s only one that’s exclusively for menopausal women and that’s menopause yoga. As menopause becomes less taboo in society and as more and more women are open to trying natural solutions to help manage their symptoms, this new style of yoga is quickly gaining ground. So, what makes it different from regular yoga and does it actually help menopause symptoms? Let’s explore further.

How is menopause yoga different from regular yoga?

Menopause yoga is specifically designed to alleviate menopause symptoms and suitable for women who may be in the initial stages of menopause when all the horrible perimenopause symptoms begin, right through to the final stage of post-menopause.

What makes it different from regular yoga is that most genres of yoga have their unique style, whereas menopause yoga encompasses a mix of styles. Plus, it’s not centered purely on the physical, it encompasses other teachings too including breathwork and meditation. And it’s this mix of styles that makes it more effective in reducing menopause symptoms.

Which styles of yoga does menopause yoga encompass?

It encompasses flow yoga commonly known as Vinyasa yoga which is suitable for symptoms such as stress, anxiety, joint pain, hot flushes, brain fog, overwhelm, mood swings, digestive issues, aches and pains to name but a few. A slow Vinyasa flow can even tackle sleep problems, low energy, and fatigue.

But menopause yoga also incorporates Yin yoga for joint pain and Restorative yoga for complete relaxation and calm. I also add another style to my menopause yoga teaching and that’s Yoga Nidra which is highly beneficial for deep relaxation and sleep problems in menopause. In addition, menopause yoga incudes breathwork and meditation – both powerful tools for combatting menopause symptoms.

Why does menopause yoga trump traditional yoga?

ALL yoga is good for mind and body, however, the hormonal changes that are triggered in perimenopause affect every single part of a woman's body on physical, mental, and emotional levels. It can be a tumultuous time of life and different symptoms require different solutions. 

For example, if a woman is struggling with overwhelm or fatigue, it makes sense to practice a restorative yoga class to help calm her nervous system, as opposed to a dynamic flow class that would leave her feeling more fatigued and overwhelmed by the fast pace and intensity.

Menopause yoga is not only tuned into symptoms, it also gives women the tools and techniques to listen to their body as they go through this transitional stage, so that they can become more accepting of the changes taking place.

Does menopause yoga actually eliminate symptoms?

There’s no style of yoga that can replace declining hormones, that's the job of HRT or Hormone replacement Therapy. However, there’s mounting evidence which now confirms menopause yoga can help women to alleviate and even eliminate many of the common physical, mental, and emotional symptoms. My online menopause yoga platform, My Yoga Journey, bears testament to this.

Over a three week period of practicing just 15 minutes three times each week, 97% of women in My Yoga Journey’s Beginners Programme* reported a significant reduction in their symptoms.

By the end of the programme*, 98% of women not only enjoyed a huge improvement in their symptoms - particularly joint pain, anxiety, hot flushes, and brain fog - they also reported greater energy levels and a more positive outlook for their future.

Does menopause yoga help in post-menopause?

Yes, menopause yoga can benefit a woman’s long-term physical and mental health in post menopause too. It can help offset:

• sarcopenia (muscles loss)
• the risk of cardio vascular disease
• osteoporosis or brittle bones
• improve joint flexibility and even offset arthritis
• Improve balance

The sooner a woman starts practicing menopause yoga, the better they will feel in post-menopause. Combined with good nutrition, and a healthy lifestyle, it’s a pathway to long-term health

Where do I find menopause yoga classes?

It can be challenging finding menopause yoga classes as there are only 700 accredited menopause yoga teachers worldwide and I’m lucky to be one of them. However, as this style of yoga grows in popularity, the availability of menopause classes will increase. Meanwhile, check in your locality for menopause yoga classes and workshops, but make sure they are being taught by an accredited menopause yoga teacher.

If you prefer to practice menopause yoga from the comfort of your own home, check out my online yoga for menopause membership, My Yoga Journey, which is suitable for all levels including complete beginners. It comes with its own App complete which offers 400+ videos, all designed to alleviate menopause symptoms, and even boasts a Guided Beginners Programme to learn the foundations of this specialist yoga. 

Generalist versus specialist?

If you’re contemplating practicing yoga to help your menopause symptoms, ask yourself this: if you had an illness, which doctor would you prefer to see? A general doctor who vaguely knows of your symptoms or one who actually specialises in your illness? Without doubt, you would choose the latter. Unlike regular yoga, menopause yoga is taught by specialists and these classes are designed for you, your body, and your symptoms. I’d say it beats regular yoga hands down.

Want to learn more about the power of menopause yoga? Check out my video  below:

Are you a beginner and want to start a home menopause yoga practice? If so, download our FREE guide: Yoga for beginners at home 

Join our menopause support group and enjoy more free tips and advice, and meet other like-minded women who are undergoing the same challenges.  

 * My Yoga Journey is an online yoga for menopause platform that features a unique Beginners' Programme. In just a few months, it guides women from taking their first steps on the mat to mastering both yoga and menopause.

About Julie Ann Garrido:

For over 30 years, Julie successfully ran her own PR company until her menopause symptoms took hold and turned her world upside down. Not only was she physically exhausted, she suffered with low moods, negative thinking, loss of confidence, self-limiting beliefs, and crippling anxiety. She became a person she no longer recognised and simply wanted to hide away.

Unhappy with a medical approach to menopause, she turned to yoga to alleviate her struggles, and at the age of 53, she found the natural solution she’s had been searching for.

After regularly practicing short bursts of yoga at home, she noticed that many of her symptoms were vanishing. She had more energy, she slept better, her confidence retuned, she felt more in control, and no longer hobbled around with joint pain.

Realising that menopausal women felt uncomfortable with their size and shape, and didn’t have the confidence to attend a yoga studio, she was determined to bring menopause yoga to their homes - yoga that would easily fit into busy schedules, and that would take women on a journey to wellbeing and transformation in menopause. Moreover, she wanted women to enjoy a natural menopause like she did.

Julie developed My Menopause Yoga Journey, an online membership for women to access affordable, beginner-friendly menopause yoga from the sanctuary of their own home.

The success of My Yoga Journey is nothing short of astonishing. As well as introducing menopause yoga to countless women who have significantly improved their symptoms, it has helped them transform their lives as a result of their new-found confidence and energy. Many of her members go on to join Julie regularly at her menopause retreats.

“My mission is simple: I want every woman to know that there’s an effective natural solution for menopause. It doesn’t have to be HRT.

~ Julie Ann Garrido