Hi friends,

I’m coming to you on just the other side of my cleanse. I feel like my body has processed and released some emotional residue from the past year (and gotten into a layer of even deeper stuff). Something I’ve been thinking about a lot lately, and talked about in my yoga classes, is that we don’t have to clearly intellectualize what we are releasing. With attention, intention, and space, we can shift. Cleansing gives the body a break from so much physical digestion, and allows it to turn to and take care of more emotional digestion.

This week also marks twelve weeks off caffeinated coffee for me. I still miss it. Turns out I love the way it tastes and I understand now why people drink decaf, which I sometimes have as a treat. To reiterate, the reason I stopped drinking coffee is that from an Ayurveda standpoint, due to its acidity, it is pitta provoking (heat, irritability, focus, a force that contributes to hot flashes) and vata provoking (dry, anxiety, movement) and I was having symptoms of both of these in my body this summer: hot restless sleep, and general skin dryness and vaginal dryness. That last part, I left out. Why? Because I felt sort of embarrassed to throw that in my public newsletter.

As women, we keep so much hidden about our world so that it appears effortless: how much time it takes to get ready and glossy. The amount of money we spend on products for beauty, to take care of our menstrual cycles, to wax, for haircuts, nails, facials, the list goes on. On top of that, as our bodies start to change, we’re often taken by surprise. My mom didn’t tell me (insert change) was going to happen! There wasn’t even a basic gym class offered about this (like we got in middle school about menstruation!).

We should be able to talk about our vulvas and vaginas like we talk about any other part of our bodies, as well as the changes we might see as we age. Part of the work I’m feeling called to is to help destigmatize this whole thing. Can we age and embrace it?

So how do you know if you’re in perimenopause, in the transition? For some, the only telltale sign will be going from periods that used to be regular to irregular ones (you won't see this if you're on birth control containing hormones). Interestingly, Western (allopathic) medicine cannot totally confirm or deny whether you’re there, even with hormonal tests. A doctor can just tell you she suspects.

Some symptoms that (MAY) happen:

• Hot flushes/flashes
• Changes in menstrual blood, including quality and quantity
• Skin dryness, vaginal dryness (connected in Ayurveda)
• Thinning hair, loss of bone density (connected in Ayurveda)
• Muscle weakness
• Anxiety
• Headaches
• General fatigue
• Insomnia
• Libido changes
• Weight changes
• Moodiness
• Forgetfulness, issues "multitasking"

These can be temporary. We’re resetting our bodies; much like girls in puberty having mood changes, acne, weight fluctuations, etc, it CAN be different post menopause. These symptoms can also be managed and/or avoided.

Other changes in your body that you might see:

• Changes in fat distribution/body composition
• Weird errant facial hair
• Graying pubic hair (I first learned this from watching Sex and the City!)
• Breast changes- they can change size and/or shape
• Vulvar and vaginal changes
• Changes in how easily it is to get turned on (you, and your partner, may need to relearn your body)

A part of me is like: don’t talk about this! Don’t scare the young ones!– which means, I too have internalized the stigma of this whole process. Why are any of these things BAD? Is it because we’ve labeled them that way, and staying plump, juicy, and thin with breasts up to our chins and wrinkleless faces is what we’ve been taught is pretty and desirable?

Luckily, one of the biggest and most wonderful things that happens when hormones start to get shunted away from making babies is that our brains also rewire– and we literally start to care less about what we look like for the desirability of a partner to make babies with, and care more about HOW WE FEEL. FREEDOM!

Ayurveda gives us the tools we need to 1- prevent, treat and reverse symptoms and 2- work with and embrace the changes happening in our bodies and minds, and age with radiant health. We do this by addressing the three pillars of life: food, sex, and sleep. Again, the #1 tool is honing our digestion. I’ll continue to build on this conversation, and I will explain WHY these symptoms happen. Ideally, we should NOT be experiencing symptoms— though common, it is not normal. It is a product of our lifestyle, diet, and the toxicity of our planet.

By the way, post giving up my 2o year caffeine habit: my skin is much less dry, my vaginal dryness has improved, and I'm sleeping less hot. It took my brain about eight weeks to feel normal (I also had depression during this time), but I feel back to myself now. I may write more about this journey in a separate post.

Meditation + Writing Workshop: Connecting to Ancestors

Wednesday, November 1, 5:30-7pm MT

This time of year, the veil is thin between us and the spirit world. That is why so many traditions have days to honor ancestors: Samhain (Halloween), Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead), All Saints Day, and more.

In this workshop, we’ll get out of our heads and into our bodies through meditation, and write to prompts designed to open us up to messages our ancestors are hoping to send us. There is no prior experience needed to join, or perceived ability to write.

The workshop will be held on Zoom. I will be limiting the size of the group so that we can engage with each other in a small and sacred container. Due to the nature of this kind of circle, I will NOT be recording the session.

Investment is $37; please REPLY to register/save your spot.

More yoga with me in October!

In addition to my usual Slow Flow & Restore on Thursdays at 6:45 pm, I'll also be teaching All Levels Flow at the below times, all at Karma Yoga, Denver (can also stream online!):

Friday, Oct 20 @ 9:15 am

Much love,

Maria Gabriela

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

Banyan Botanicals Discount

As many of you know, I'm a part 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.

​Banyan Affiliate Link​

15% off discount code: MARIAG15