Hi friends,

A couple weeks ago, I went to my closest friend from college Michelle's daughter’s Bat Mitzvah. It was a wonderful time, and I saw some people I’ve known since college, but hadn’t seen in many years.

It is so strange to see us all middle-aged. Like, we’re essentially becoming our parents. Some of us even have kids in college ourselves. (Not me– I didn’t have babies, and am a quintessential auntie).

One of my old friends, well-meaning, was talking to me about how his wife has educated him on perimenopause (good for her!!), and then he said, “Women are just so unlucky.”

I was gobsmacked.

I didn’t say a word. Just kind of took it with me. This, of course, shouldn’t be surprising. It’s essentially one of the ways our culture views womanhood.

This is part of the work I’m showing up to do. I want to teach our girls about the sacredness of their menstrual blood. How amazing our bodies are in what they can do, including the ability create an entire new human without anyone having to intellectually lay out a linear plan (nobody has to go design that baby!!).

And, I want us to celebrate every single phase of life. Including this midlife time that can also bring so much difficulty.

This whole thing is literally a rearrangement of your being, just like what was happening to you in puberty. Instead of turning on the ability to have babies, we’re turning it off.

Did you know that in a chrysalis, the caterpillar disintegrates? Its cells fall apart. They get rearranged into a butterfly, then have to fight to emerge in their new body.

As we go through this midlife time, we too are disintegrating. We’re letting go of all the BS that no longer serves, that doesn’t define who we are.

It's death and rebirth.

What a gift.

I want us to hold both: that it IS hard, that you might struggle, have grief, rage, be attached to the young you, and YET, you are becoming more strongly YOU– the most authentic version of yourself, as you release your physical fertility and move that energy into more capacity for spiritual fertility.

Being a woman is beautiful. We are powerful in ways that are feared, and it is part of the reason why there’s a belief out there that it’s “unlucky” to be a woman, why so many stories have been rearranged to take out that power, and why the world is mostly built and structured for men’s rhythms/life stages.

And know this: apparently it’s a bit of a secret, but most women are happier post-menopause than they are in their fertility time of life.

I very much dream of a time when we have a huge party for every woman/person who crosses over the menopause threshold. Like with a DJ, presents and cake, OR, if that's not your speed, a quiet gathering on the beach or in the mountains with your dearest to say YES, I have made this step into the next phase of my life!!

You’re in the muddy middle, my friend. Hold yourself with lots of tenderness.

Giving a free talk this upcoming Monday-- if you know something about Ayurveda and want a little more in-depth, or if you're a holistic practitioner, this one's for you.

Ayurvedic Approach to Menopausal Health

Chai with CAAM (open and free to the public- VIRTUAL)

Monday, May 18th, 7-8 pm MT (6-7pm PST)

This time of life, characterized by symptoms associated with perimenopause and menopause, is often faced with fear and trepidation. By applying Ayurvedic principles, we can see a lessening of symptoms and an embracing of this new phase of life.

Women's Health often focuses on the dramatic times of women's lives- adolescence and menstrual comfort, adulthood and fertility/pregnancy issues, and, finally, our older years and menopausal ease. This is because, as women, we are subject to the fluctuations of hormones and we want, so badly, to control them, or, at the very least, to minimize any negative impact caused by their fluctuation or cessation.

Maria Gabriela has worked with many women and seen the fruits of applying Ayurvedic principles to this transition that women make. Symptom reduction along with a more positive outlook on aging are just two of the benefits.

​Register here.​
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Much love,

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P.P.S. I love hearing from you- always feel free to hit reply with any thoughts or questions.

Practice Yoga with Me- Karma Yoga

All Levels Flow, Thursday afternoons 5:30 pm

Decrease stress with a gentle flow at the end of the day designed to ground and steady.

Sunrise Yoga Flow, Friday mornings 6:30 am

Start the day off right with an invigorating flow practice designed to help move kapha and stimulate prana.

Register here. If you don't live in Denver and are interested, Karma offers an online streaming option for all their classes.

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I'm a proud participant of the Banyan Tree Collective. If you're not familiar with Banyan, they are a certified B corporation committed to providing products that support the Ayurvedic lifestyle and are organically grown, sustainably sourced, and fairly traded. Below is an affiliate link which supports my business every time you use it, as well as a one time 15% off coupon.

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