Mindful Movement as Medicine in Midlife: An embodied way to relate to our bodies as we navigate hormonal changes, fatigue and life transitions
Hormonal shifts not only change our cycle, energy levels, or mood—they also affect our joints, connective tissue, muscle tone, and how our nervous system processes stress, balance, and sensation.
During perimenopause and menopause, many women notice that tissues once supple and supported now feel stiff, dry, or achy. One reason? Estrogen receptors are found throughout the body—including in the brain, fascia, and especially around joint surfaces.
As estrogen levels shift and decline, joint lubrication can decrease, connective tissues may lose elasticity, and inflammation can increase.
Since our ability to sense where we are in space (proprioception) relies heavily on healthy joint function, these shifts can impact balance, coordination, and movement fluidity. When joint capsules, ligaments, fascia, and muscles become inflamed or less mobile, the brain receives fuzzier signals about where we are in space.
You might notice:
Gripping or bracing during everyday movements
Rushing through tasks without breathing fully
A loss of ease or coordination in once-familiar actions
That’s because the way we sense gravity, space, and our position in the world can be deeply influenced by hormonal change. Hormones affect the nervous system, joints, fascia, and even the inner ear—all vital to balance, coordination, and body awareness.
This inner sensing—our proprioceptive awareness—helps us move through the world with confidence and clarity.
When this system becomes overwhelmed or dysregulated, we might start to feel disconnected.
Without realizing it, we begin to adapt.
We grip. We hold our breath. We rush ahead.
Movement as a conversation with the body
In midlife, during hormonal transitions, our bodies can start to feel unfamiliar. But disconnection doesn’t mean something’s wrong. It may simply be a signal to relate to ourselves in a new way.
Our bodies carry stories—about how we should move, feel, or perform. Over time, these stories shape the way we hold ourselves.
These aren’t just “bad habits” or tight muscles. They’re shaped by:
Old injuries, surgeries, or illnesses (like childhood asthma, chronic infections, or digestive issues)
Emotional stress, cultural and historical context, and family stories
Deep-seated beliefs about how we should appear or perform
What if movement became a space to explore these patterns with curiosity, not judgment?
When we pause and notice where we tense, where we collapse, what feels fluid or stuck—we begin to recognize these imprints. Movement becomes a form of inquiry, not correction.
You might ask:
What would it feel like to soften here?
Can I breathe more fully in this shape?
What happens if I stop overriding what I feel?
This kind of attention helps the nervous system shift from protection to restoration.
With presence and permission, we begin to move with—not against—ourselves.
And in that gentle recalibration, our bodies remember something vital:
They know how to heal.
Our bodies are talking - Invitation to Mind-Body inquiry
If you’re curious about exploring embodied ways to reconnect with your body’s wisdom, I invite you to join me in a session.
Through gentle and mindful hands-on bodywork, I support you in calming your nervous system, easing joint and tissue tension, and refining your inner sensing of movement and space.
Together, we’ll explore somatic tools to help you restore ease and deepen your connection from within—helping you move through midlife with confidence and comfort.
