In this week’s LIVE, we discussed how both Ayurveda and TCM (traditional Chinese Medicine) recognize the dual nature of beverages like alcohol and coffee. While they can be beneficial, they can also create imbalances in the mind, body, and spirit if over-consumed. The key is understanding your body's needs and the context in which you consume these beverages.

Episode Timeline: Navigating Menopause with Traditional Wisdom

0:00 - 2:00 - Introduction: Welcome and overview of the episode's focus on traditional wisdom in menopause.

2:01 - 5:00 - Host Introductions: Meet Chitra and Clarissa, experts in Ayurveda and Chinese Medicine.

5:01 - 15:00 - The Role of Context: Understanding individual constitution, environment, and season in health practices.

15:01 - 25:00 - Alcohol and Coffee: Exploring the dual nature of these beverages and their impact on women’s menopause experiences

25:01 - 35:00 - Seasonal Living: Tips for aligning lifestyle with natural rhythms for enhanced well-being.

40:01 - 45:00 - Conclusion: Recap of key takeaways and closing thoughts.

If you have any questions or comments from your own experiences, then do reach out to me or Chitra.

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As the summer vacations kick into full swing in the Northern hemisphere

Join Chitra Eder and me for a rich conversation as we explore essential strategies for supporting women through perimenopause and menopause, especially during the vibrant, and sometimes overwhelming, summer season.

We dive into the concept of the "Second Spring" and the intrinsic connections between seasonal transitions.

The impact of summer heat on us, and take a closer look at the effects of alcohol, dairy, and other common summer indulgences, and share holistic tools for maintaining balance while traveling and on post-vacation adjustments, offering practical advice for easing back into regular routines.

Whether you're soaking up the sun or enjoying a city break, this episode is filled with insight, warmth, and supportive practices to help you get the most from this time away from the daily routine.

00:00 Introduction to the Art and Heart of Menopause

02:31 Summer Celebrations and Their Impact on Health

03:33 Navigating Summer Vacations: Cultural Perspectives

07:24 The Ayurvedic and Chinese Medicine Approach to Summer

10:09 Cooling Foods and Their Benefits 13:37 Alcohol and Its Effects on the Body

16:47 Healthy Eating Habits During Summer

30:23 Travel Tips for Maintaining Balance

32:31 In-Flight Tips for Better Digestion

34:23 Chinese Medicine Practices for Travel

37:26 Managing Vata and Constipation During Flights

38:42 Post-Flight Rest and Recovery

40:15 Ayurvedic Tips for Different Doshas on Vacation

47:16 Adjusting Back to Routine After Vacation

50:42 Hydration and Diet Tips for Returning Home

59:37 Upcoming Workshops and Final Thoughts

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This episode Chitra Eder and I dived deep into the Whole Body Medicine approach and how it is covered within Ayurveda and TCM.

Some of our key talking points in this live included

* What do we mean by the Whole Body Approach in Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine?

* How Western medicine has witnessed the rise of 'heroic' medicine that is very focused on tests, symptoms, and fixing problems, and how that leads to a narrow definition of health

* Is holistic medicine truly holistic?

* How do Chitra and I work with patients and clients to bring whole person support, aka the questions we ask, the diagnosis types..

* Our wishes for the future and how to marry the best of allopathic and whole person medicine

We would love to hear your comments and questions.

Join us next week LIVE for a discussion on a practitioner’s guide to summer travel and vacations.

This week, Chitra Eder and I discussed how massage is perceived in Ayurveda and TCM, different massage practices, and benefits for women in perimenopause and menopause.

If you are interested in learning more about how these traditional forms of medicine can support your menopause journey, then join us live every Thursday for more conversations.

Do check out Chitra’s upcoming Ayurvedic Solstice Workshop happening this Saturday.

Stay tuned for more information on my upcoming Rebalance & Restore: Menopause Support Through the Combination of Traditional Chinese Medicine & Essential Oils

In this episode, Chitra Eder and I explore one of the most powerful yet often overlooked keys to well-being during perimenopause and menopause: the natural daily clock.

Both Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine mapped out daily rhythms based on the flow of energy through the body and the world around us. Long before modern science spoke of circadian rhythms, these traditions understood how time, energy, and health are intimately connected.

But in today’s world, shaped by productivity culture, artificial light, and constant demands, we’ve lost touch with these natural cycles. The result? Exhaustion, poor sleep, erratic digestion, and emotional overwhelm that so many of us experience in midlife.

In this episode, we discuss:

* The Ayurvedic and TCM daily clocks what they are, how they differ, and where they beautifully align.

* The impact of modern life and patriarchal systems on our natural rhythms.

* How menopausal symptoms intensify when we’re out of sync with biological time.

* Simple, doable steps to reconnect with nature’s flow, including meal timing, rest, and honoring your energy.

You’ll come away with fresh insights and practical tips to help you live more in tune with your body’s natural intelligence, even in a fast-paced world. This is about listening, aligning, and gently reclaiming your rhythm.

So here’s a question we invite you to reflect on as you listen:What do you struggle with most when trying to harmonize your day with your natural daily clock?

Welcome to the second episode in our LIVE series exploring ancient wisdom for a modern menopause.

In this conversation, Chitra Eder and I turn our attention to the seasonal shift toward summer, a time that’s naturally hotter and drier. For those of us in perimenopause, who may already be experiencing heat and dryness, this seasonal transition can intensify our symptoms and leave us feeling even more out of balance.

However, the wisdom of ancient medicine provides powerful tools to help us navigate this shift with greater ease. In this episode, we explore how changes in the way we eat, cook, and live can bring cooling, soothing support to the body, without tipping us into coldness or depletion.

Join us as we explore how to reconnect with nature’s rhythms and discover how to work with the seasons, not against them, for a more grounded and nourishing menopausal journey.

Thank you to everyone who tuned in to our first live!

If you missed it, here is me talking about ancient wisdom around the menopause transition. And why it is important for every woman to recognise that every step on our journey is an opportunity to prepare ourselves to meet this life stage with greater ease.

Join us for the next live video in the app next Thursday at 11.00 am EST