I was recently conducting some research for a workshop on the menopause and an Ayurvedic perspective on this time of life, and I came across this wonderful traditional native American saying that I would like to share with you all: “At her first bleeding a woman meets her power. During her bleeding years she practices it. At her menopause she becomes it.”
These words really stopped me in my tracks and forced me to pause and consider all of the meaning and wisdom contained in those three simple yet profound sentences. It ties in beautifully with Ayurvedic thinking on the three stages of life. Childhood is a time full of growth, building bones and structure and a lot of learning. Ayurveda associates this stage of life with the kapha dosha of earth and water. Adulthood is a time of heat in the body, of forward drive, achievements and accomplishments and is associated with the pitta dosha of fire and water. Later life is seen as a period of creating new chapters, creativity and moving into your wisdom – letting go of the need to achieve and contemplating all you have learned. It is known as vata time of life, the dosha of air and ether.
It is wonderful to see more conversations happening, not just around menopause, but our periods too – but there is still more to be done. A recent US study found that nearly 60 percent of women experience ‘period shame’. The narrative began centuries ago when menstruating women were hidden away until they finished bleeding. We have thankfully progressed away from that but now instead find ourselves bombarded with marketing campaigns from sanitary companies telling us we shouldn’t stop because we are on our period but go windsurfing and climb Mount Kilimanjaro (remember the adverts?!). Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for empowerment, but I believe that our time of the month signals an opportunity to press pause a little, to be more reflective and honour the work our bodies are doing for us. We can run the world the other three weeks of the month!
Our monthly cycle is not just about elimination of the unused egg, but a purification and detoxification that is taking place. Our menstrual blood is antibacterial and anti-microbial and when it passes through the lining it helps remove a lot of toxins. Slowing down and allowing for more periods of rest and reflection, eating and sleeping well at this time allows the body to focus its attention on this vital process.
I strongly believe it is time to unlearn what we have been taught and reframe the narrative for the next generation of women. It is also time to examine our societal views on menopausal women. So I say, no more to this idea that once periods stop you are somehow less important or less vital, that you will become invisible or without purpose. Instead, let’s shift to an Ayurvedic view, reflected in the words of the native American saying above and begin honouring a woman as she transitions from the pitta time of life into vata time and celebrate her stepping into her power, wisdom and insight. Let’s allow her the space and time she needs to grow from deep reflection and contemplation on the life lived thus far.
