{"id":7893,"date":"2021-10-06T19:29:24","date_gmt":"2021-10-06T12:29:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.littlewanderingwren.com\/staging\/8794\/?p=7893"},"modified":"2022-03-19T04:56:07","modified_gmt":"2022-03-18T21:56:07","slug":"mastering-menopause-with-revivo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.littlewanderingwren.com\/staging\/8794\/2021\/10\/06\/mastering-menopause-with-revivo\/","title":{"rendered":"Mastering Menopause with REV\u012aV\u014c"},"content":{"rendered":"

Have you ever wondered who is suffering from mood swings, irritability, weight gain, brain fog, and difficulty sleeping? Welcome to my life! I have no idea what I went through in the past 18 months. Was it Menopause or Covid?\u00a0 <\/span>It felt as though my body had experienced hormonal chaos. So, I was not going to pass by an opportunity to join a fully immersive wellness retreat weekend and discover ways to balance the hormones, alleviate menopausal symptoms, including weight gain, and reduce stress.<\/p>\n

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REV\u012aV\u014c,<\/a> a global wellness company specialising in transformational health\u00a0experiences,\u00a0had partnered for the retreat with their sister brand, The Pavilions Phuket<\/a>. The Pavilions is considered one of Asia‘<\/span>s most luxurious resorts. If ever there was a ‘stop the world I want to get off’<\/i> perfect destination for a wellness weekend, this is it.<\/p>\n

A few female guests were welcomed to our ‘<\/span>home’, a five-bedroom luxury residential villa, by REV\u012aV\u014c’s Wellness Director Kimberly Rose<\/a> and Sales Director Kate Leff. I was literally pinching myself to feel how lucky I was<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Pavilions<\/p>\n

Menopause<\/b><\/p>\n

Menopause often a scary word, is typically experienced between the ages of 45 to 50,<\/span> although some are younger, depicting the end of a woman’s reproductive age. It can lead to emotional and physical changes that affect women’s health and lifestyle. In fact, to some women,<\/span> the word menopause can be unappealing to acknowledge and seek<\/span> treatment. Kimberle<\/span>y’s wisdom helps women navigate the menopause years.<\/p>\n

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Neglecting the subject of menopause has become a major issue for women who generally have very different experiences, occurring at different times in their lives. It is kind of ‘potluck’ to find anyone in your friendship group who can identify with the issue of menopause. As for the men, forget it! They seem\u00a0unsympathetic and cannot relate, thinking a woman of that age is just a grumpy old bag!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Read on to find out what you can do to help.<\/p>\n

The Wellness Lectures<\/b><\/p>\n

Kimberly Rose, our retreat facilitator and Chinese medicine expert, has a wealth of knowledge on how to navigate menopause naturally. Our first lecture highlighted the differences between Eastern and Western medicine, introducing Chinese medicine and Qigong exercise routine.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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We were an attentive group;<\/span> all joined by an interest to maximise our health and wellness in our advancing years. We were lectured on the benefits of detox, cleansing, and fasting for hormonal health. Following the session, we decided to set up a support and encouragement Facebook group.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Our lectures also covered the<\/span> microbiome (helpful and potentially harmful microbes in our body) and nutrition for menopause. We\u00a0sampled<\/span> some of the foods<\/span> recommendations during the weekend\u00a0and were even<\/span> given the recipes. We learned about<\/span> \u2018<\/span>dirty-dozen\u2019<\/span> foods to be avoided, and<\/span>\u00a0the \u2018clean<\/span> fifteen\u2019<\/span> foods with the lowest levels of pesticides. A supplemented digital program provided us with lots of useful material such as fasting with our menstrual cycle.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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As we learned about Chinese medicine, we found the best acupressure points to alleviate menopause symptoms and discovered the joys of a jade roller and Guasha, the alternative therapy\u00a0<\/span>for relieving tension across the face and body. In tongue diagnosis, the less body-shy amongst us were soon sticking out their tongues at each other.<\/p>\n

Our final workshop was on key supplements for hormonal health; it seems that Black Cohosh and Red Clover herbs could be my new best friends. I ended up with quite a shopping list!<\/p>\n

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Soothe the Spirit<\/b><\/p>\n

Whilst the wellness lectures were at the core of the retreat,<\/span> it was balanced by the opportunity to enjoy various mind and body relaxation techniques designed to help unwind and soothe the spirit. When participation was required, my hand was always the first to go up, seizing any opportunity to work on my much-needed inner Zen Wren! The experience reassured me that I was not alone, as I felt I was amongst kindred spirits and very relaxed by the end of the weekend.<\/p>\n

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Yin Yoga and Pranayama<\/b><\/p>\n

Yin is a slow–<\/span>moving Chinese yoga exercise practice,<\/span> while Pranayama is an Indian yogic practice of focusing on <\/span>the <\/span>breath. <\/span>Our two enchanting yoga classes with Issy<\/span> were held in an open-air sala (pavilion) under Buddha’s watchful eye.<\/p>\n

Like all things at the Pavilions, there is much to admire, even from the yoga mats. A quick glance upwards revealed a collection of ornamental birdcages gently swaying in the breeze. I closed my eyes, focused, and breathed, being totally in the moment.<\/p>\n

As the yoga class ended, the music faded and a symphony of birdsong took over. Khun <\/span>Fern appeared with a cooling towel and refreshing drink. All in all, it was a fabulous way to start the Sunday.<\/p>\n

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Dragon Qigong<\/b><\/p>\n

We also learned the ancient meditation and healing practice of Dragon Qigong. \u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>With the benefits of lowering stress and anxiety, increasing focus, balance, and flexibility, I was keen to master this. I am sure I was more a jellyfish than a dragon, but I am determined to improve my technique and will definitely add it to the list of things to be incorporated into my life.<\/p>\n

\"Dragon

Learning Dragon Qigong<\/p><\/div>\n

Aromatherapy Spa Massage<\/b><\/p>\n

The Qigong was held in the outdoor pavilion of the Spa Garden, just a dragon dance to the peaceful spa for a heavenly oil massage. I chose The Pavilions’ signature oil blend of grapefruit, chamomile, lavender, and geranium oil, which,<\/span> together with my therapist’s long strokes and flowing movements did wonders to release my stress.<\/span> I was out for the count!<\/p>\n

\"Spa<\/p>\n

Healthy Eating<\/b><\/p>\n

From the first bite of breakfast on Saturday to the last healing tea on Sunday, the food was an<\/span> outstanding, nutritious,<\/span> and nourishing component of the weekend. The Pavilions Executive chef,<\/span> Micha Bitz<\/span>, <\/span>was on hand to personally cook our oatmeal<\/span> pancakes! Pancakes on a wellness retreat? You bet, with all the right ingredients. The meals were chosen by Kimberly Rose for their wholesome and<\/span> organic health benefits. We learned that ‘we are what we eat and what we ate<\/i>.’<\/i><\/span> Every single dish was a delight, so glad we were also given the recipes.<\/p>\n

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Villa Time<\/b><\/p>\n

Another wonderful component of the retreat was the opportunity to get to know the other participants. Our shared villa was perfect for meals, workshops, and for chilling around our private pool. At night after dinner, dressing gowns on, it became a relaxed slumber party.<\/p>\n

They say one of the most important components of wellness involves sleep. Hmmm! We stayed up chatting late into the night,<\/span> not doing so well on this aspect, through no fault of the organisers!\u00a0 <\/span>It had been a long time since I was able to do this, oh Phuket,<\/span> you are amazing!<\/p>\n

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Learnings on the journey to well-being, contentment, and happiness<\/b><\/p>\n

All participants were given a green Pavilions notebook with the words ‘Your curated journey starts here.’<\/i> It made me smile. If life is the journey, menopause is the roller coaster ride, but it clearly can be a ride that need not be scary. My green book filled up with plenty of notes. Optimistic and enlightening with messages to listen to your body as it always tells you what it needs.<\/p>\n

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Here are some of my favourite scribbled quotes from across the weekend:<\/p>\n