Yoga and Menopause: How Gentle Yoga Can Support Women Through Midlife Changes

Menopause brings change. Gentle yoga practice offers support, steadiness, and self-compassion during the transition.

Menopause is often misunderstood or under-discussed. It is a significant life stage for many Australian women, yet it’s rarely talked about … unless you have become a Sally Wainwright fan and watched her humorous look at life in drama on  the new BBC series Riot Women     A teacher, a police officer, a publican, a midwife, and a shoplifting freeloader: five menopausal women accidentally start a punk rock band.

But seriously, here in Australia many women are finding gentle yoga a helpful companion through menopause. The changes in sleep, mood, energy, and physical comfort can feel unsettling, and yoga practice can help to relieve and manage these changes.

Yoga during menopause isn’t about pushing or striving. Instead, it focuses on calming the nervous system, supporting joint health, and encouraging rest and awareness.

Gentle movement can help ease stiffness and support circulation, while slow breathing practices promote relaxation. Many women appreciate that yoga offers a quiet space to reconnect with their bodies during a time of change.

Yoga styles such as Restorative and Yin yoga encourage slowing down, which is particularly important during perimenopause and menopause, as they prioritise comfort and rest.

Yoga also offers emotional support. Taking time to pause, breathe, and notice sensations can foster acceptance and reduce feelings of frustration or overwhelm. A regular Yoga class and personal practice provide a flexible, non-judgemental answer for women navigating menopause, that adapts to daily needs, supporting wellbeing without pressure.