Meeting Menopause
Many of us find ourselves challenged and bewildered by both the psychological and physical changes that arrive with the approach of the menopause. We have a feeling that we don’t quite “fit” in our own skin anymore. And with a cultural backdrop that seems to have only negative things to say about the menopause this can be a lonely place. 
 
And yet menopause is a completely normal and healthy process of transition that affects every woman many of us. It can be a dynamic gateway to exciting change and to you authoring your own story: feeling empowered to bring a fuller version of yourself to this stage of life. The programme aims to support you in seeing beyond ‘symptoms’ and connecting with the possibilities that menopause can bring to envision the purpose, meaning and wisdom you want to bring to your life. It’s an opportunity to reclaim and remember parts of ourselves, our stories and our bodily experiences that may have been silenced and to engage with our relationship to masculine and feminine energy within ourselves.
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It is not just for those of us who are experiencing symptoms, but for anyone in the perimenopause, menopause, or post menopause phase or simply wanting to know more. Much of the research, and nearly all of the media coverage is dominated by the experience of white, middle class, cis gender, heterosexual, able bodied, neuro typical women, and when we see images of menopause in the mainstream it tends to be older white women with grey hair. We know that anyone with a uterus, and or identifying as a woman may experience menopause and we don’t believe in a one size fits all approach, but rather that everyone experiences menopause in their own individual and personal way. Our experience of menopause may be very different according to life experiences, our personal history, physical health and lifestyle. There is a huge diversity of experience, and while acknowledging our own internalised biases and lack of information, we are passionate about learning and widening our understanding of how menopause is experienced. We welcome everyone wanting to explore or experiencing this transition and aim to create a safe space for all.
We will use a process of personal Enquiry that we will work with individually and collectively, to provide a framework for the programme and so that the exploration journey is always relevant and pertinent for your particular experience of this life transition.​​​​​​
Introductory Webinar
We offer this to women’s groups and networks interested in exploring the topic.
The sessions introduce the framing of menopause as a rite of passage, an invitation to step fully into our power at this stage of life. What is it to consider menopause as a psychological transition outside of the cultural frame of ‘symptoms’ to be fixed?
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We give a taste of our soulful, imaginative approach that uses different ways of knowing, accessing, and unlocking self-understanding at what can be a very disorienting time of life. We share why we do this work, and we introduce our other workshops and retreats should you want to get support and explore further.
The webinar is facilitated by Sarah and Fiona, both experienced psychotherapeutic counsellors (BACP registered). Sarah is also a storyteller, filmmaker and executive coach and facilitator. Fiona is a yoga teacher, embodiment practitioner and has worked as a coach and facilitator with senior leaders in corporate business for many years.
One Day Workshop
The one-day workshop looks at the emotional and psychological dimensions of menopause and gives a framework to support women in this important life transition.
It aims to create a safe space to explore menopause, using different ways of knowing beyond a cognitive, rational approach.
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Each participant is given some pre-work to support them in finding a powerful enquiry question or specific issue to bring along to the day workshop
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Participants then benefit from the group experience of sitting in circle together and sharing experiences and learning while having a clear focus for the day.
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On the day, participants will be taken through a process of different activities to further self-understanding on their specific issue and gain insights from the group
What we will do:
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a body and voice practice together that is a series of shorter ones that can be practised at home
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use the power of story to process some of the feelings and beliefs we hold about our menopause journey, our sense of self, and our place in the world
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use a Menopause map to look at this threshold in a woman’s life
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signpost further resources and support and other offers, for those who wish to deepen their experience.
If you wish to find out more, please sign up to the mailing list where you will hear about any dates. Or please get in touch if you have any questions.​
Weekend Retreat (which includes one individual online counselling session)
16th - 18th May 2025, Surrey
Claridge House Retreat Centre, Dormans Rd, Dormansland, Lingfield RH7 6QH
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This weekend experience offers women time to process, prepare for, or integrate the changes and challenges of menopause. 
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We will use a powerful combination of simple physical practices and meditation (drawing on Shakti yoga and Yoga Nidra teachings) the story Seal Skin Soul Skin from Clarissa Pinkola Estes book “Women Who Run with The Wolves" (as a map to the unconscious), time in nature, group processes that may include archetype work and imaginative processes. We use these different ways of knowing to explore our inner world and what messages from the unconscious may be waiting to bring us insights and self-understanding.
It is an opportunity to sit in circle with other women, share stories and tap into the collective intelligence and the field created by a group of wise women.
Online Counselling Sessions (to be scheduled individually)
Individual sessions with a qualified counsellor allows for time to really focus on ourselves and our specific issues. and Sessions can provides ongoing structure and support or be a stand alone alternative.
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Pricing
The weekend retreat (accommodation and food included) at Claridge House plus an individual counselling session is £590.
Early bird: £490 (on sale until March 1st). Limited availability.
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If you feel drawn to this work but price is an obstacle, we will be offering subsidised non residential courses in London. So please sign up to our mailing list or get in touch.
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Practicalities
Simple bedrooms, single occupancy but opportunity to share.
Healthy vegetarian meals provided to be eaten together, family style.
Introductory Video
Timetable
Friday
3pm
4pm
6pm
8-9pm
Arrival, settle in rooms
Opening circle
Communal evening meal
Evening session
Saturday
8-9am
9am
10-1pm
1-2pm
2-3pm
3-6pm
6-7pm
7-9pm
Morning physical practice (all abilities)
Communal breakfast
Morning session
Communal midday meal
Rest and individual reflection
Afternoon session (including a break and time outside)
Communal evening meal
Soulful evening sharing music and stories
Sunday
8-9am
9am
10-1pm
1-2pm
2-4pm
4pm
Morning physical practice (all abilities)
Communal breakfast and checking out of rooms
Morning session
Communal midday meal
Final circle
Depart
Our Menopause Stories
Sarah
When I first started experiencing the menopause, I had no idea what was going on. I felt confused, angry and uncomfortable. I lost my confidence and didn’t feel like myself. It took me some time to connect these feelings to the menopause. I was shocked to discover the level of negativity towards menopause, and the secrecy, shame and embarrassment that seemed to go with it. I was determined to find resources to support myself, and other women to share these experiences. I have come to see it as an incredibly important transition and have felt empowered as I have engaged fully with what it has to show me. I am passionate about supporting women through this transition and I wanted to create a program that I would have loved to attend myself.
Fiona
I had a very early sudden “menopause” aged 42. It was provoked by an emotional shock, and I just stopped bleeding from one month to the next. I had very intense “symptoms” particularly hot sweats, some dizziness. I was put on tablets for blood pressure and told to go home. It took nearly 12 months for doctors to look to the Menopause to explain some of the symptoms I was experiencing. I realised how ill-informed the medical profession can be about menopause and women’s health in general. This led me on a long journey to look for the support I needed and to me creating a different relationship to my body through yoga and other energy practices. With a very busy life as a single, working mum, I eventually decided to take HRT and still do in its bioidentical form. That didn’t stop me going through the psychological and emotional Menopause transition in my early fifties.