Well-being advocate launches menopause yoga support programme for struggling women in Derby and beyond


A local health and well-being champion is launching a dedicated menopause yoga well-being programme across Derbyshire to help support women’s health and well-being.
Kerrie Oxford, who is also owner of Koa Yoga and Mindfulness, will be delivering specially adapted yoga practices, breathing techniques and mindfulness to help women manage menopause symptoms including hot flushes, irritability, anxiety, overwhelm, fatigue, low mood and insomnia.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdIt is a project close to Kerrie’s heart who struggled with symptoms on her own menopause journey.
Kerrie, who is trained well-being professional passionate about supporting others, said: “I’m a huge advocate for the benefits of yoga and mindfulness, having witnessed first-hand the difference it makes to those who regularly practise with us, improving both their physical and mental well-being.
“However, I wanted to offer increased support to those who were struggling to manage their menopause symptoms.”
Kerrie says some women find menopause debilitating and that it can lead to ill health and people going off sick.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad“Not only does menopause have such a huge impact on people’s lives, it can often be difficult to get a menopause diagnosis,” she said.
Having recently completed specialised Menopause Yoga training under the guidance of Menopause Yoga (MY) author and menopause expert, Petra Coveney, Kerrie has put together a menopause yoga programme which is due to roll out to members of the general public across Derbyshire from September 2023.
The menopause yoga initiative uses sequences adapted from hatha, yin and restorative yoga tailored to manage menopausal symptoms.
Kerrie hopes her menopause yoga programme will empower women, arming them with knowledge and life-skills so they can navigate their menopause journey with confidence and ease.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdKerrie said: “I do lots of things to keep me physically and mentally fit, yet I found my menopause overwhelming.
“If I found it difficult and I have all the tools at my disposal, how would other women feel, who did not have access to the well-being training I had?”
Menopause yoga training has been a learning journey for Kerrie too. She said: “One of the things I learnt which I was not expecting, was that one in two women over the age of 50, become susceptible to osteoporosis.
“My yoga programme will help build bone strength and improve flexibility to help people move forward to the next stage of their healthier life.”
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdThe wider menopause yoga programme will help women with mindfulness, meditation and breathing techniques to help calm the nervous system, whilst offering information on nutrition and complementary therapies.
Kerrie said: “The menopause yoga support programme aims to support those going through perimenopause, menopause and post menopause.
“Offering a positive perspective on menopause, as an opportunity for self-growth and to improve lifestyle to better long-term health, the initiative provides a toolkit of techniques to help support and empower women through their menopause journey.”
Menopause is now part of the national conversation, for a number of reasons including support from celebrities such as Davina McCall, Mariella Frostrup, Penny Lancaster, Gabby Logan, Michelle Obama and Gwyneth Paltrow.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdThey have spoken openly about their menopause journey with a view to dispelling menopause’s taboo status.
Kerrie said: “Menopause used to be a taboo topic.
“In the past, people struggling with menopause would go off sick and not give the true reason behind their absence, but I feel this is changing.”
“Davina [McCall] massively raised menopause’s profile which really helped normalise having conversations about menopause out in the open.”
In addition to running her own business, Kerrie also works as a digital communications manager for Joined Up Care Derbyshire’s (JUCD) Well-being Team, which supports around 40,000 health and social care staff across Derbyshire, Derby City and North Staffordshire.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdAs a JUCD Well-being Champion, Kerrie will also be offering the menopause yoga support programme to JUCD health and social care staff as part of the team’s autumn well-being timetable, which delivers over 250 support sessions each month to staff.
For more details about the upcoming September programme and to book a space, email [email protected].
Comment Guidelines
National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.