Happy International Menopause Day!

October 18, marks International Menopause Day! It’s the perfect opportunity to introduce an important new resource: The M Factor: Shredding the Silence on Menopause, recently released on PBS. This groundbreaking documentary is the first to address the often-overlooked health challenges faced by millions of women during menopause. I’d love to hear your thoughts and reflections about this!

Highlights from the October 11 Midlife Café Meeting.

Our last gathering brought forward rich discussions on personal growth and well-being. Here’s a recap of some key topics we explored:

Addictions & Adolescence
Our focus on addiction led to a discussion about its impact on both adults and adolescents. One member, a former nurse specializing in addiction treatment, highlighted the challenges many people face in overcoming addiction without transferring their dependence to another behavior, such as gambling or other addictive habits. She also shared how readily certain medications were prescribed at the time, which ultimately influenced her decision to transition to a different department.

Trauma & Addiction Link We delved into the connection between trauma and addiction, discussing a study from 2004 that found having just one trusted person in childhood could significantly lessen the effects of trauma. EMDR Therapy for trauma processing was also mentioned, with a highly recommended referral for Dr. Tracy Burke, a local specialist.

Dr. Tracy Burke’s Contact Information: 104 S. Church Street, West Chester, PA 19382
Phone: (610) 431-7810

Psychedelics & Mental Health We explored the emerging field of psychedelics in mental health, particularly psilocybin, and how it shows promise in treating various mental health issues. For those interested in learning more, check out this insightful Netflix documentary on the topic.

Yoga and Self-Development

I had the chance to share a bit about my journey with yoga, explaining how I use it as a pathway from the material to the subtler layers of self-practice, promoting self-awareness and growth.

It was also my first time mentioning my yoga business in this group, and I appreciate your openness and support.

I will be offering a Yoga Foundations Course in October.

This Yoga Foundations Course, designed to build confidence and deepen your practice through alignment, mechanics, and the energetic benefits of yoga. There’s an early bird discount available, so please reach out if you’re interested. Payment can be made via Venmo, cash, or check. Feel free to pass the information along to a friend if you think they’d benefit from it!

Course Dates & Themes:

• October 25: Forward Folds & Back Extensions
• November 8: Laterals & Rotations
• November 15: Balances & Gentle Inversions
  Time: 5 pm to 7 pm

Upcoming Events
November 8 – Listening Partner Session with Marilupe De La Calle
Join us for an impactful session with Marilupe, where we’ll practice deep listening and personal reflection. This supportive environment allows participants to partner up, listen without judgment, and reflect in a safe space.

December 6 – Pelvic Floor Health with Arpna Masuraha
Arpna from Aline Physical Therapy will guide us in a session on pelvic floor health, exploring the transitions women experience from adolescence through post-menopause.

Resources to Explore

• PBS Documentary: The M Factor: Shredding the Silence on Menopause
• YouTube Video on Hormone Therapy: Watch here
• Netflix Documentary on Psychedelics: Watch here

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Looking forward to seeing you Friday, and feel free to invite a friend who would benefit from joining us. Thank you for being part of this wonderful community!

Daniela Lejtneker 

Midlife Cafe Founder and Yoga Teacher

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https://danielalejtneker.offeringtree.com/