Menopause – Living Elysian

I’m ready to “Pause”

March 8, 2017September 14, 2018 EV2 Comments

1984 Klymaxx burst onto the music scene with “The Men All Pause”! Although not anthemic, the song became a regular chorale for myself and many young women of the 80’s!

meno – From Greek mēn ‘month’. pause – Late Middle English: from Old French, from Latin pausa, from Greek pausis, from pausein ‘to stop’.

Here we are 30+ years later and it is now time for us ladies to “pause”. Myself included. As of one week ago, my doctor exclaimed to me “Welcome to Menopause!” After hanging up the phone, I looked in the mirror and smiled. “So this is me, “Menopausal Elysia.” She looks good, considering. I am okay. I am ready for whatever life has to throw at me.

I am ready to pause.

Being Comfortable in Our Own Skin

In a recent blog I wrote “How to be Comfortable in your own Skin”, I shared about accepting that God designed woman to go through these many stages in life. We get to experience hot flashes, scattered mind, clumsiness, and irritation because we are alive and we are women!

The day after hearing the news, I am trying to meditate. “I am in Hell!” My head feels like it has been stuffed in a furnace. Sweat is dripping down my face. How do I stay in the moment and be comfortable in my own skin when my body is totally on fire? I will soon come to find that returning to the breath and meditation is actually helpful for shortening the length of these said hot flashes.

I’ve been finding myself having to “pause” a lot throughout the day, thinking if I stay perfectly still, I won’t sweat as much. Getting ready for work is starting to take much longer due to these “pauses”. This is NOT comfortable at all…

A few hours later, I am visiting the acupuncturist. Because of my history of DVTs (blood clots), my doctor wants me to try this method first. My skin has become a lovely pin cushion for an hour and I have been prescribed a Chinese herb called, “Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan”.

My Facebook Posts

October 11 at 10:31 pm: Did I just put the wax paper in the fridge? Why is it so damn hot in here? And why is the hubby heading out to the mountains? ‪#‎shitjustgotreal ‪#‎menopause ‪#‎thestruggleisreal

October 12 at 11:22 am: You know you’ve reached middle age when the Facebook adverts are now for readers and no longer for smoking hot boots. ‪#‎Menopause ‪#‎TheStruggleisReal

October 14 at 7:45 am: My morning meditation – Om gam gana-I am on fire! Just breathe-pataye namaha. Om gam-did I remember to pack my apple?-ganapataye namaha. O-Is that sweat dripping down the side of my face?-m ganapataye namaha. Breathe Elysia, breathe, you can do this….Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha…

October 14 at 8:25pm: Today just kicked my @$$…

Something is Working

I can’t complain too much. My mom was evil when she went through this. So far, I’ve had some irritation with the hubby but not to the point of open mouth/insert foot syndrome. Hopefully, we started treatment in time.

The Chinese herbs are a little rough on the belly so I get to buy some probiotics next! However, after 3 treatments of acupuncture and less than a week on the herbs I have to say there is a noticeable improvement. The hot flashes are not as intense and have decreased in length.

As a new hot flash begins, I find myself “pausing”. I close my eyes, take a cleansing breath and then begin to count each additional breath. By the 15th breath, it has passed. Ahh, relief!

I still take Benadryl to sleep through the night, but I am sleeping! I have purchased a pocket carabiner fan that I keep on hand at all times. In addition, Doterra sells a great roll on called Clary Calm which helps some. Yes, my life is changing and I am adding new essential items as the result. But this is okay, because this is all part of the process of being a woman, and something is working.

Diet and Exercise

Endurance is not something I possess, therefore am a true believer in Yoga. But due to the additional pounds I have picked up, I have added Yoga Sculpt at my local Core Power Yoga to my routine. The Yoga keeps me strong and grounded. The Yoga Sculpt burns energy.

Due to a back injury, my doctor suggested that I lose 30lbs. I have been on the Ketosis Diet for 2 months and have lost 18. Thanks to the almost zero sugar intake, I feel better than I have in years!

I am Okay. I am This Moment. This Too Shall Pass.

Over the years I have learned some brilliant lessons:

I am okay. This is not going to kill me.
I am this moment. I don’t have to like it. I can appreciate and respect it.
This too shall pass. It’s not always going to be like this.

Because of these exercises, we can have patience with ourselves when we have to “pause” for the most recent hot flash, or look for the latest item we have misplaced. We can also have compassion and tolerance for those around us when they make their mistakes if we “pause” long enough to let our frustration simmer.

Take a moment to “pause” and reflect on this very moment. Take as many “pauses” as you need.

Let’s Remember Where This all Started

Don’t forget that life is a dance, cue up some Klymaxx, move with it and have some fun!

Key Points in Dealing with Menopause

Pause when you need to.
Return to your breath and count slowly.
Get comfortable in your own skin.
Adjust your diet and exercise accordingly.
Research and buy items that will make your life more comfortable.
Vent on social media if you need to.
Remember, this is only for a short time.
Be kind, patient and loving to yourself.
Dance, who cares if anyone is watching

Affirmation

Now Go!

Be fierce, loving, accepting, without judgment towards yourself or others.

Of Breath, Fire, and Acceptance

August 14, 2016August 17, 2016 EVLeave a comment

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“I’m going to start my own style of Yoga”, I announce to Satyam before we begin our next lecture. The look on his face is priceless.“I’m going to call it ‘Hot-Flash Yoga’ and we will just sit in easy pose and sweat for no reason at all!” This gets a slight smile from Satyam and a chuckle out of my classmates.

I have entered full menopause at the young age of 46 and hot flashes have been a constant. I had found some relief in acupuncture and Chinese herbs. But almost as soon as I arrived at the Ashram, I stopped taking the herbs. It didn’t seem to matter anyway. Kona has been especially scorching and I could hardly tell if I was in a hot flash or it was just hot.

I also felt the need to experience this process in my fullest womanhood. I had already stopped wearing makeup and started to appreciate, even celebrate my fat rolls instead of loathing them. Many of the things my classmate Amy shared with the group was integral to this psychic shift. So many changes I had never expected.

We are studying breathing techniques and one of the first we dive into is called “Sitali Breath”. Its benefits are read to us “Cooling to the mind and body. May be used anytime one feels overheated. An effective pranayama for hot flashes”… JP looks at me and raises his eyebrows. This deserves further research. I make a point of trying this the next time I have a hot flash.

I find that if I start this breathing as soon as the flash hits me, it shortens the length and intensity of the heat. I think I’m on to something here!

I will find this to be my most useful tool going forward and have not had to use the Chinese herbs even when I return home to my normal life.

Vedic Fire Ceremony

Every Saturday morning at 5:30 AM we are required to attend the Fire Ceremony. It is another beautiful practice as we throw rice into a fire.

What is Yajna?

Yajna is not a new age phenomenon. Yajna is the ancient yogic practice of making offerings into a sacred fire. Fire ceremony purifies emotions, burns up unresolved conflict and worries, and leaves us feeling lighter, free, and more open inside. As we focus on letting go, the fire dissolves our tensions leaving only Vibhuti, or Sacred Ash, behind. The Vibhuti represents the pure essence of our nature, the Inner Self.

How do I practice Yajna?

The practice of offering mantras and a simple masala (rice mixture) has been used for thousands of years as a catalyst for change and growth. First, the sacred fire is opened by an experienced Pujari. Next, practitioners take a small amount of masala in the right hand between the thumb and two middle fingers (The index finger is left out as it represents the ego) and circle the heart in a clockwise direction while repeating a mantra. The masala is then offered into the fire. Practitioners can visualize releasing all of their troubles into the fire; the fire purifies everything. [1]

Afterward, at breakfast, I tell Satyam and Abhaya that the Fire Ceremony will fit well with my “Hot-Flash” Yoga style. “We can burn all the unnecessary Karma away, then do some Asanas followed by Sitali Breath”. This actually gets them both laughing.

Yet I am feeling such growth with the acceptance of my natural body as it exists today. No longer embarrassed or wanting to hide. Perhaps some of my vanity was burned off as I tossed the rice into the fire. Thus, opening my heart spirit to learning more about living a life filled with true self-love. Might I be able to take this further and teach my students about such love? I do hope so. Stay Blissful My Friends – E

freeee — Photo by Satyam Ehinger – Konalani Shambhava Yoga

https://www.shoshoni.org/about-us/yajna-fire-ceremony/

Sunday Shot of Bliss VI. Slow it Down

July 3, 2015August 21, 2016 EV1 Comment

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It is remarkable that since I wrote Slow it Down I., I have been going full steam ahead. Balls to the wall! Sidenote: If you think the phrase “Balls to the Wall” is nasty, get your head out of the gutter and click on the link to find out what it really means.

Anywhoo, back to slowing it down. If you recall, I was reflecting on the one time I got a speeding ticket on my way to Yoga class…Yeah, cue up Alanis Morissette’s Ironic!

Slowing down is fairly difficult at this time in my life with work, writing this blog, studying for a 7-hour test this upcoming September and trying to get as much quality time with my granddaughter before she moves out of the state. I used to say I didn’t have enough time, now I know what that actually means.

Breathe

It is customary to start with the breath. Breathing is always a good thing to do. After my hysterectomy, I developed panic attacks and visited with a Neuro kinesiologist. The first thing she pointed out was my incorrect method of breathing. I didn’t even know there was a proper way to breathe! But yes, she told me that since I breathed in through my mouth it was increasing the anxiety attacks. The correct way to breathe is to use your diaphragm and breathe in through your nose. You may breathe out of your mouth or nose, as long as you remember to breathe in through the nose. I have been doing this for years now and can honestly say that none of my panic attacks have ever killed me! Ha! But honestly, I have not had panic attacks since then.

Source: aromaticwisdominstitute.com

Aromatherapies and Essential Oils

With the explosion of the Essential Oil businesses Doterra and Young Living, many have better knowledge of what “real” essential oils can do for our well-being. However, if it is not in your budget you can check out PlantTherapy.com or find Aura Cacia at your local health store. Lavender is by far the most calming essential oil out there. I keep a mighty big bottle at home as it is also excellent for the many burns I inflict upon myself with my various styling tools. You can rub lavender into your wrists, mist it through a humidifier or diffuse it with a tea light candle burner. I even picked up a locket that I can place a small piece of cotton doused with a couple of drops of the oil of my choice.

Rest

Lie Down on your back and close your eyes. Take your attention to your breath and listen to the sound of your breath. Feel the vibrations of the air touching your skin. Be still, be quiet. You might even find yourself slowing down enough to get in a mid-day snooze. Don’t forget, to breathe!

Unplug…Oh, Wait!

Did I just say that? Why yes I did! Believe it or not, I unplug more often than ever…and when I say unplug this also includes the smart phone! I am sometimes amazed at how many emails, texts, PM’s and voicemails I DON’T have waiting when I re-plug. Nice to know the world keeps on revolving.

breathe

Prayer and Meditation

Well, you saw this one coming, didn’t you? Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God.” Pretty simple no? Though I am one who can complicate a cheese sandwich, God spells it out in seven simple words! Just be still. Just recognize that He is God and You are not! The weight that came off my shoulders when I first acknowledged this is astonishing! Don’t forget to breathe!

There are numerous ways to slow down; Walking barefoot in the grass, Afternoon Tea, A Bubble Bath, Tubing over calm waters, Star-Gazing, Walking the dogs, Petting the cat (if he/she will let you), Listening to calm music. Something for every walk of life. Find your preference and go for it…Don’t forget to breathe!

Stay Blissful My Friends – E