Julie has a BFA in dance from the University of Michigan and has been teaching creative movement and ballroom dancing since 1977.  She completed her yoga teacher training and began teaching in 2000.  She has taught a wide variety of classes in the community for all age groups and continues to teach classes at West Bloomfield Parks and Recreation.  In 2008, she completed training in a yoga therapeutic program, “Yoga of the Heart,” based on Dr. Dean Ornish’s study on reversing heart disease.   She feels proud and fortunate to be an employee at Henry Ford Vita Wellness Center, teaching yoga classes which focus on the health benefits of yoga. In addition to the daily yoga classes, she also teachs Zumba, Ballet Stretch and Tone and Dance Your Way to Fitness.  She recently answered my questions about how Yoga may benefit women during menopause and beyond.

 I know you teach a Yoga for Wellness class now and have offered a Yoga for Menopause class in the past.  What prompted your interest in yoga and specifically yoga for menopause?

When I began my first yoga classes in 1995, I truly had little understanding of yoga.  I was recovering from a dance injury and thought yoga would be a good way to stay in shape while I was recovering.  I quickly recognized that yoga was as much about the body as it was about the mind.  In short order I began to notice the many benefits from practicing yoga.  I was inspired from my earliest classes to become a yoga teacher, guiding others to discover the benefits. The overall benefits of yoga, which include stress reduction, improved focus, mood regulation, improved sleep as well as strength, balance and flexibility have served me well as I have made the transition through menopause.  

 Yoga is well known for its benefits in managing stress.  How is it specifically helpful for menopausal symptoms?

 What  are the other health benefits of Yoga for women as they age ?

Is Yoga safe for everyone?  Are there any precautions women need to be aware of?

How would you recommend someone get started with Yoga?  Do you have any good resources you can share?

written by Deborah McBain, CNM MSN

The longer I live in my body the more amazed I am at how connected my mind and body is.  So many women who are  bothered by hot flashes and even urge incontinence do not realize that they may actually have some control over some of their symptoms by training their minds.  There is good scientific evidence that this is so.  Practice the exercise below during a hot flash or with urgency to urinate.  Concentrate on relaxing your abdominal muscles.  Don’t give up if you don’t see results right away.  Like anything, it takes practice to achieve effective performance.  It is not hard but takes just a little persistence. Good luck.

Paced respiration

With regular paced respiration, women reportedly achieve a noticeable drop in the number of hot flashes they have, as well as a lower average skin temperature (used to measure hot flashes).

Paced respiration takes practice. Try to do paced respiration twice daily, for 15 minutes at a time. Also, when you first feel a hot flash coming on, stop what you are doing, find a quiet place, and practice paced respiration until you are feeling comfortable again.

• Sit in a comfortable, quiet place.
• As you breathe, keep your rib cage still. You will be lowering and raising your diaphragm to fill and empty your lungs.
• Inhale for 5 seconds, pushing your stomach muscles out.
• Exhale for 5 seconds, pulling your stomach muscles in and up.
• Repeat this cycle of breathing until you feel calm and relaxed or your time is up.

To reduce stress, you can also use paced respiration for 1 to 2 minutes in the middle of a busy day.

written by Deborah McBain, CNM MSN

Who cannot be inspired by her story? Please join us if you can.  Dinner is included.  Below is press release with more details about this event.

On Wednesday, Dec. 3, Elizabeth Edwards brings her message of finding hope and inspiration in life’s challenges to the Troy Hilton, at 5500 Crooks Road. The Henry Ford Health System, Ford Motor Company and Metro Parent Magazine are proud to present this unique opportunity, entitled “An Evening with Elizabeth Edwards.”

The event is rescheduled from its original Wednesday, Oct. 15 date, which was cancelled due to Mrs. Edwards mother’s illness.

The country has gotten to know Elizabeth Edwards as she campaigned across the country during her husband’s political campaigns. The day after the general election in 2004, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Mrs. Edwards was in remission until March 2007 when she discovered her cancer had returned. Her courageous battle with breast cancer has served as an inspiration to women across the country, which she shares in her memoir “Saving Graces: Finding Solace and Strength from Friends and Strangers.” A passionate supporter of children and families, as well as an accomplished attorney, she has been an advocate for many important causes.

One that is dearest to her heart is the Wade Edwards Foundation. The foundation, which helps finance educational and enrichment programs for young people, is named after Mrs. Edwards’ eldest child, Wade, who tragically died in a car accident in 1996 at the age of 16. Mrs. Edwards is the proud mother of three other children: Catharine, Emma Claire and Jack.

Despite a battle with breast cancer, the loss of a son and the pressures of living a life in the public eye, Mrs. Edwards has remained determined to live what she calls “an inspired life.” Mrs. Edwards will share her story of how she’s persevered through tough times. “An Evening with Elizabeth Edwards” is sure to be an uplifting and inspiring event for anyone who is or has experienced difficulty in their lives, especially those affected by breast cancer.

“An Evening with Elizabeth Edwards,” will be held at the Troy Hilton in Troy, Mich. General admission tickets cost $25.

The event is presented by Henry Ford Health System, Ford Motor Company and Metro Parent Magazine. It is sponsored by the Michigan Education Savings Plan (MESP), Magic 105.1 and Inforum.

To purchase tickets or for additional information, visit MetroParentEvents.com or call 248-398-3400, ext. 128.

SOURCE Metro Parent Magazine

MetroParentEvents.com

written by Deborah McBain, CNM MSN

During our last support group meeting on November 12th we discussed the stresses of the holidays.  In preparation for the meeting I anticipated that shopping, decorating, cooking and time management issues would be big stresses.  But for those attending, loneliness, concern about ailing parents and  the sadness of lost traditions were prominent concerns.  These wise women had, for the most part, solved the problems of doing too much during the holidays.  They have trimmed their card and gift lists, let other family members lighten the load of entertaining and simplified decorations.   The emotional issues that come with getting older are the concerns that dim the joy known from past holiday seasons.  Below are some ideas shared among the group.

• Consider adopting new traditions which better suit family members changing interests or abilities.  New traditions can be  adapted to honor the old ones.  For example, if Grandma can no longer host the holiday then maybe some of her recipes can be prepared by younger members of the clan.
• Rather than spending money on gifts, plan a family event by going to a concert or musical to celebrate.
• Call friends or family and plan occasions ahead of time to avoid being alone.  If inviting people over and on a budget think about a dessert gathering or potluck.
• Consider volunteering to be with other people, make friends and avoid loneliness.
• Investigate community resources to assist with caring for ailing relatives.  Churches, hospitals, public health departments and private Alzheimer groups often have low cost options for respite care.

Nothing could be much more stressful during the holiday than becoming a victim of crime.   Unfortunately, during economic downturns crime increases.  Don’t  make yourself an easy target.  A member of the HFHS security staff stopped by Wednesday to share some holiday safety tips.

• Keep windows and doors locked even when you are at home.
• Do not leave gifts visible through windows.
• Be very cautious answering the door.  Criminals may pose as couriers delivering gifts or solicit for non-existing charities. Always ask for ID whenever anyone requests entry, even if dressed as utility worker or police officer.
• Shop during daylight hours or do not shop alone.
• Do not wear expensive jewelry and avoid carrying a purse.
• Do not overload yourself with packages but avoid dropping packages off at car and then return to store.  Criminals watch for this and can break into car and be off with purchases within minutes.

What stresses you out about the holidays?  What helpful tips have you acquired over the years to help ease the strain of this time of year?

written by Deborah McBain, CNM MSN