Reformer pilates During peri-menopause & menopause
Navigating peri-menopause/menopause can feel overwhelming when for so long this topic was considered taboo, and available information was limited. It is important to not fight against your body, but support yourself.
You may or may not be aware but I spent four years producing a podcast that focussed mainly on Menopause and the experience around it. When I hit peri-menopause, I didn’t know what was happening so I went to the doctor, and was given some anti-depressants, some sleeping tablets and told that I’d be alright in 5-10 years. And that was that. No more information was provided to me. So I went on my own journey.
Exercise is one of the most effective ways to support ourselves through peri-menopause and menopause and reformer is particularly good because it’s low impact and mentally & emotionally soothing.
Menopause Facts
69% of women experience difficulties with anxiety and depression due to menopause
84% experience trouble sleeping
73% experience brain fog
63% had found menopause either difficult or very difficult, with women describing their experiences as a “nightmare” and “awful”
25% of women going through the menopause either consider leaving or do leave work because of their experiences
41% of women say they have seen menopause or menopause symptoms treated as a joke by people at work
What Is Menopause?
Menopause is the flip side of puberty: it is the end of a woman’s fertile period of life
Menopause is when a woman has gone 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period
The average age for menopause is 51-52
Perimenopause is when hormone levels begin to fluctuate and symptoms may appear, often at age 40-45
Post-menopause are the years following menopause
Menopause is caused by lower hormone levels
It affects anyone who has periods, this includes transgender women
Menopause can happen naturally, or for reasons such as surgery to remove the ovaries (oophorectomy) or the uterus (hysterectomy), cancer treatments like chemotherapy, genetic reasons, or even stress.
Sometimes the reason is unknown.
HOW DOES REFORMER PILATES HELP PERI-MENOPAUSAL/MENOPAUSAL WOMEN?
Reduces stress, anxiety and supports hormonal balance
Focused breathing and mindful movement helps to decrease stress by lowering cortisol.
Strengthen muscles, bone health and improve posture
Reformer pilates can unlock muscles, build strength and overall stability. Your core will become stronger, your back pain will ease, and your body will become aligned.
Increase flexibility and mobility
Controlled, low-impact movements supported by the reformer bed, will allow you to stretch and move your joints without strain, reducing stiffness and keeping the body agile.
Helps weight management
Reformer pilates naturally helps your body burn more calories at rest while supporting healthy weight management.
Boosts mental clarity and health
Reformer pilates connects your mind and body, helping brain fog and increasing your mood.
Promotes better sleep
Exercise, especially mindful movement, helps the body to relax for deeper, more restorative sleep.
Builds self-confidence and body awareness
Peri/Menopause can have a massive effect on your self-confidence. As you learn to understand your body and connect through movement, you will develop more appreciation and feel more confident in other areas of life.
Become a part of a supportive community
Every time you come to class, you are able to connect with others in a supportive, welcoming environment.