Jane Witherspoon is a Canadian expat adventurer, yoga instructor and passionate rambler who recently relocated from Panama to Denia, Spain.
We have been blessed with the gift of motion, and our bodies love to move. Movement, in whatever form, is necessary for a happy and healthy life. Our bones provide graceful support, muscles and tendons expand and contract to allow freedom of motion, and our lungs fill with air, feeding the body with its vital life source.
Our bodies are continuously changing as we journey through life. As women in mid-life and beyond, most of us are experiencing the natural transition of menopause. Notable changes are happening in our bodies that we may not love or embrace.
Due to our ever-decreasing hormones, we experience a decline in flexibility. Our muscle mass also depreciates, leading to a reduction in strength. Even if we are fit and active, we may experience joint pain, especially in our knees, hips, and shoulders. And let's not even talk about weight gain.
So, how do we embrace these changes and remain positive and grateful during this time? By accepting ourselves where we are!
Change is part of life's nature. As women, we can regard this as a time to increase our movement, strengthen our muscles, and stretch more - thus enabling us to transition into the next phase of our lives feeling healthy and positive.
I am a certified yoga instructor and have found that practicing yoga is be both physically beneficial and mentally enhancing. Yoga has three positive components: stretching, strengthening, and mindfulness.
As a yoga teacher, I've repeatedly heard many reasons why women feel reluctant to join my classes. They say, "I'm not flexible enough," and I remind them that when we stretch, our bodies adjust, realign, and become more fluid.
They also say, "I am too old to start," and I respond that yoga is a lifelong practice that can begin at any age. I have guided new students in their seventies.
They often also say, "I am not fit enough," and I remind them that yoga is meeting your body where it is on any given day. One day may involve gentle restorative stretches, and the next, a more vigorous practice.
The most important thing is that however you move your body, do so with loving-kindness. We are going through miraculous changes, so we must strive to give ourselves the same consideration and support we would share with someone we love facing these same challenges.
We would be their biggest cheerleader, so be yours; you deserve self-love.
And so, my Sole Sisters, remember to accept and embrace yourselves wherever you are as you ramble through your week.
Being a healthy women isn't about getting on a scale or measuring your waistline. We need to start focusing on what matters - how we feel and how we feel about ourselves. - Michelle Obama
READ MORE > Jane's Mindful Musings, Rambler Cafe Blog
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