“I found your attitude toward your body—gentle, respectful, even loving—really moving. It challenged me to consider whether I could feel the same about mine. You create such an inclusive, grounded space where everyone feels welcome, regardless of ability and you explain things with care and clarity. That kind of permission-giving is rare and powerful.” – Andrew

When Andrew, one of my students, shared these words with me, I knew they spoke to something far bigger than yoga alone.

They spoke to the way midlife can be both a challenge and an opportunity – for men and women alike.

For many, this is a time when the body begins to feel different. Stiffness creeps in, energy fluctuates, and the mind seems busier than ever. Hormonal changes, life pressures and accumulated stress can leave us feeling both physically tense and emotionally depleted. For men, the cultural expectation to “just get on with it” often makes seeking help even harder. For women, the pressure to keep giving without pause can feel relentless.

And yet, midlife can also be a turning point – an invitation to live with more awareness, kindness and connection to self and body.

When the Nervous System Loses its Balance

Chronic stress, anxiety and unresolved life experiences often show up in the body as tension, shallow breathing or a constant undercurrent of unease. Over time, this can dysregulate the nervous system, leaving us stuck in a low-level fight-or-flight mode.

Gentle, trauma-informed yoga offers a way to interrupt this cycle. Through mindful movement, breath awareness and deep rest, the body begins to feel safe again. Safety is the gateway to release: muscles soften, breath deepens and energy starts to flow more freely.

One participant, Claire, told me after a retreat:

“I am the tightest, most inflexible person and always have hip and back pain… and it’s gone! My hips feel so fantastic today – I really can’t remember the last time I felt like this!”

That kind of release isn’t just physical – it’s a whole-body sigh of relief that tells the nervous system, “You’re safe now.”

The Wisdom of the Vayus

In the coming term, we’ll be exploring the Vayus – five movements of prana (life energy) described in yoga philosophy. They may sound esoteric but they’re deeply practical for stress relief, emotional balance and sustaining energy, especially as we move into autumn.

• Prana Vayu – Governs inhalation and mental focus. Calming and centring, it supports clarity and presence.

• Apana Vayu – Governs exhalation and grounding. Helps release anxiety, worry and physical tension.

• Samana Vayu – Balances digestion – of food, experiences and emotions. Supports emotional processing.

• Udana Vayu – Uplifts, communicates and energises, countering fatigue and stagnation.

• Vyana Vayu – Circulates energy throughout the body, promoting connection and resilience.

By weaving breath, mindful movement, relaxation and simple sound (humming, bija mantras and simple chanting), we can work with these Vayus to regulate both mind and body.

A Simple Practice for Autumn Grounding

This 3-minute ritual supports Apana Vayu and letting go, helping you feel calmer and more centred:

1. Sit comfortably or lie down

2. Place one hand on your belly, one on your heart

3. Inhale gently through the nose for a count of 4

4. Exhale slowly for a count of 6, imagining your breath flowing down into your hips and legs and out through your feet

5. Repeat for 6–8 rounds, noticing the sensation of release with each out-breath

Going Deeper

If you feel ready to explore this work more deeply, I’d love to welcome you to one of our upcoming events:

• Grounded Reset Online Autumn Retreat – A blend of restorative yoga and nourishing nutrition to gently restore balance.

• Sanctuary Sessions - Monthly Yin and Sound Baths in Colden Common

• Shifting into Winter Half Day Retreat – October – In-person day retreat in Hampshire, weaving yin and yoga flow practice with seasonal rest and replenishment.

• Deep Rest Retreat – February 2026 – A weekend immersion with Susanna Edwards, dedicated to deep nervous system restoration.

  (The last two events are booked via the School of Creative Wellness website)

The Midlife Invitation

As my student Amanda put it after a recent retreat:

“It was so much more than I could possibly have imagined - truly transformational.”

Midlife shouldn't be seen as the start of decline – it can be a season of renewal. By approaching our bodies and experiences with gentleness, respect and curiosity, we open the door to profound healing and growth.

If your body is asking for gentleness and your mind is longing for calm, join me this season. Let’s reset together.