Talks

About our talks

In addition to Conference, every so often one of our teachers, or a guest speaker, will give a talk at the shala. Subjects vary but always bear some relevance to yoga.

Here’s what’s coming up.


Two Talks on Menopause
with Louise Newton

Talk One: Supporting Others in the Menopause Process (for teachers and anyone interested in learning more)
Friday January 17th 2025
12.00 – 2.00pm
Free of charge

Talk Two: The Menopause Experience (for yoga practitioners going through, about to go through, or having already been through, the menopause process)

Sunday January 19th 2025
12.00 – 2.00pm
Free of charge

Both talks will begin with the same information-sharing, touching on the following:
– What is happening in our bodies and why it happens
– Why the process can be challenging in the Western world
– Acknowledgment of the multitude of ways to meet the menopause
– The stages of menopause and their suggested timescale
– Hormonal patterns and shifts through the process and their impact on physical, emotional, mental and spiritual layers. Also their impact on yoga practice
– A challenge to the current narrative and an offer to look at menopause through a different lens

Space for open discussion will follow (finish times are therefore approximate).

Please bring your creativity, ideas, questions and perhaps a piece of paper and a pen.

Registering your interest by emailing Louise is essential.

Talk One – Friday 17th January 12.00 – 2.00pm
Louise’s first talk will focus on how best to look after others going through the menopause process and explore how we may adapt our teaching of yoga practice with this in mind.

Talk Two – Sunday 19th January 12.00 – 2.00pm
The second talk will cover techniques which can help key symptoms and an open discussion on how we are able to adapt the way we practise to support our bodies during this time. There will be space to have an open sharing about menopause. The wisdom of those already through is welcomed. Younger people who just want to find out more and are interested in developing a new, empowered narrative for themselves and future generations are also welcome. Numbers will be limited in this group to 15.

About Louise Newton
An Astanga yoga practitioner for over 20 years, Louise teaches the mid-morning, led primary and Sunday classes at Astanga Yoga London. She is a graduate of the Menstruality Leadership Programme and is a menstruality mentor with the Red School. She has also completed training with the Red School in menopause awareness. In addition, Louise has completed menopause yoga accredited teacher training with Petra Coveney.