As a 55-year old perimenopausal Pilates teacher with a client base of predominantly 40+ women, I could not wait to read ‘Pilates-based Movement for Menopause by Dinah Siman. And it did not disappoint. Being in that phase of my life myself, I had done some reading about menopause online and listened to podcasts on the topic, so when I first opened the book, I wasn’t sure how much more I would get out of it. But as soon as I started reading, I was drawn in. This book provided all the factual and academic knowledge around menopause in an easy to read and understand format, but it did much more than that.
The material put the information in the context of how, as movement teachers, we might observe menopause in the people that come to us (some lightbulb moments there), and how we can make a difference to their wellbeing through movement and education. I particularly valued the real life stories and case studies that help connect the dots and read between the lines, to bridge the gap between what is said, what we observe, and what might actually be going on.
The book also highlights the language that might be used by clients, doctors and allied health professionals around menopause, the taboos and myths that are not, or less, addressed, and helps us as movement teachers understand how we fit in that menopause puzzle, and how we might deal with all these things within our scope of practice, while helping our clients and also take care of ourselves and maintain boundaries.
The links to detailed and varied resources and videos right at the point they are discussed (not all lumped in at the end) are great, and I loved the generous share of detailed ideas for possible formats of classes, courses and workshops centering around menopause for our clients. ‘Movement snacks’ throughout the book remind you to get up and move while you read this book and provide inspiration for things we can do with clients.
I believe the book is great for everyone; male, female, old and young, as we are all likely to touch a person who will, is or has experienced menopause. And understanding how this stage of continued hormone depletion translates to the body, its movement capabilities and overall sense of wellbeing, is a valuable tool and skill for any movement practitioner. I find when the topic comes up with my clients, the flood gates open (literally and figuratively), and this book will help us to have a much needed, informed conversation/education around the topic with our clients.
Highly recommend – Happy Reading!
Written by Helena Brunsdon
Life Fit Pilates
PAA Pilates Practitioner L1
PAA Members – 20% discount off Pilates-Based Movement for Menopause by Dinah Siman
Pilates-Based Movement for Menopause by Dinah Siman was generously supplied for review by Woodslane Health and is available to PAA members with 20% discount.
Woodslane Health is the local distributor in Australia for Handspring Publishing and Singing Dragon Publishers. Handspring and Singing Dragon publish a range of authoritative bodywork, manual therapy, and complementary health titles for professionals, trainers, teachers and general readers.
Woodslane Health are excited to offer PAA members a 20% discount across all their titles with free delivery for orders over $100.
PAA Members: Check under Resources in your membership area for the Woodslane Health discount code.
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