Menopause was not a concept that I ever looked forward to.  In fact, I would go as far as saying I dreaded it.

Growing up there weren’t any positive role models in my life rocking perimenopause or menopause.  Instead all I could see was about a decade or more of hot flushes, vaginal dryness, low libido, destructive mood swings and an ending to thriving.

I saw the effects that my mother went through of menopause being forced on her with a hysterectomy at age 38 and no support for her post operative recovery or transition through this threshold.  The future was pretty bleak and in honesty I was a little petrified.

I’ve learnt that knowledge is power and thankfully, along the way, I’m so grateful that I stumbled across the practice of vaginal steaming by Keli Garza at Steamy Chick and the incredibly powerful women rocking menopause at The Abdominal Therapy Collective and Red School.  My negative narrative was completely thrown on it’s head.

Perimenopause and Menopause don’t have to be a life sentence and there is in fact a whole toolbox of ways to gently nurture and understand your body through this threshold.  Menopause is an immense life event, a great initiation. It grows your authority, steeps you in purpose and awakens you to great power and wisdom, bringing you home to yourself, to a sense of belonging.

With the power of our hands we can massage our abdomens in a way that promotes circulation of essential blood flow and hormones and a release of all that wants to go.  We can steam our vaginas with herbs that nourish the kidneys, tonify the uterus, help to calm our nervous systems and make things nice and juicy 😜.  All of this can be safely practiced in the comfort of our own homes.

We can sloooooow life down in order to surrender to the process and connect with our cyclical nature in order to allow the passage to be dignifying and fortifying.  It’s time to let go of the linear masculine way, because let’s face it, it’s never really worked that well for us even in our menstruating years.

I know this is easier said than done, but there are ways I can show you to invite the process. The rewards are worth making the commitment to begin the journey.

I’m delighted to be returning to Zambia, my birth place, in April 2024 to host a one day workshop on Menopause – The Second Spring Experience.  My intention is to flip the narrative for the women attending so that they too can navigate this threshold with confidence, inspiration, a powerful tool box and become the future positive mentors of menopause for the younger generations.

Alongside Professor Groesbeck Parham MD, a Gynecologic Oncologist based in Zambia and Dr Tarisai Ellen Marere, a Obstetrician & Gynecologist based in Zimbabwe we will be teaming up to put together a day of inspiring workshops, panels and experiences to equip and inspire women to thrive during this transformative phase of life.

I will be introducing women to the practices of vaginal steaming and abdominal therapy as a powerful natural way of supporting their bodies through the hormonal shifts and changes of perimenopuase and menopause.  We will be exploring how to embrace our cyclical nature in order to tune into our own unique rhythm.  We will end the day with a deeply restorative yoga nidra session to welcome in permission to slooooooowwww down and connect with our womb space.

The day retreat is being held at the new and incredible Health and Wellness Centre in Lusaka.  Participants can enjoy a deliciously healthy lunch and wonder through the beautiful botanical gardens.

The Day Retreat is limited to 15 spaces so if you are interested in attending please contact Elaine on +260 975 835 226.

Treatments in Zambia in April

On a side note, I will also be offering Abdominal Therapy and Vaginal Steaming consultations from the Health and Wellness Centre in Lilayi, Lusaka.  I will have a limited number of slots available in April while I’m in Zambia so please reach out to me via email for more details and to secure one.