Meet the business owner spreading the word about the benefit of yoga for menopause across Northants
Meet the business owner spreading the word about the benefit of yoga for menopause across Northamptonshire, having had a positive experience from the practice herself.
Christina Winfield has a variety of strings to her bow, including in-person and online classes for yoga, pilates and meditation and retreats, which vary from a couple of hours to days abroad.
“I’m really trying to bring awareness of yoga for menopause classes,” Christina told the Chronicle & Echo. “It’s a relatively new thing I qualified in last year, and it’s very different from stereotypical yoga.
“I don’t think people are aware of how incredible it is. I realised so many women in our community were navigating perimenopause and menopause – and their bodies were changing so much that they didn’t feel like them anymore.”
Christina’s yoga for menopause classes take place from 6.30pm on Thursday evenings at Milton Malsor Village Hall, or online from 10.30am on Friday mornings. All attendees are given access to a recording of the session, so they can utilise the techniques shared at home in their daily lives.
“It’s not an intense workout and it’s very holistic,” said Christina. “It’s specifically designed for hormone changes, cooling breathwork for hot flushes, and meditation to help those who struggle with insomnia.
“I provide a space for women where they don’t have to apologise for brain fog and mood shifts. We understand what each other are going through, embrace and feel empowered by it.”
It was nine years ago when Christina launched Christina Winfield Yoga, Pilates & Meditation, but it was last summer when things really took off. She offers accessible online sessions and in-person classes in Milton Malsor, but does travel across Northamptonshire.
“This all started when I was going to yoga and pilates classes at the gym and told the instructors they were living the dream,” said Christina. “They asked me why I’m not doing it and I didn’t think I would be good enough.
“My husband was so encouraging and I knew life is too short. I’ve never looked back and I could never imagine not doing this. I need it for my physical and mental wellbeing, and it works around my family.”
Christina’s focus is on the female body as it ages, particularly joint and heart health and cognitive ability. She believes working on techniques daily can repair and slow issues down.
In addition to the yoga for menopause classes previously mentioned, Christina runs a chair pilates class for seniors from 9.15am on Tuesday mornings in Grange Park and a pilates session from 9.15am on Friday mornings in Milton Malsor.
Christina has received wonderful feedback from clients, and was touched by the words of a lady who suffered a cerebellar balance stroke in May last year. This rare stroke accounts for only two-to-three percent and has a high risk of morbidity.
“It left me exhausted and having to learn to recalibrate everything in my life,” said the client. “Recently a friend encouraged me to try Christina's class. The warm, inclusive, good humoured atmosphere of the class has helped me commit to it, and start to address both my mental and physical wellbeing.
“It is a shock to have a stroke and be told that there is no obvious reason for it. This type of stroke relies on rest, gentle rehabilitation and learning to go slowly, all difficult if you have been very active. Christina's class is a place to learn to take care of your body, and a place where I feel cared for.”
Talking about what she believes makes her offering unique and special, Christina said: “It’s about creating a bond with the person. A lot of people feel intimidated going to yoga classes and I work really hard to break those barriers down.
“I make them realise it’s not a competition and it’s about being the best version of yourself. My classes are gentle, relaxed and we have a good laugh at the same time.”
Looking to the future, Christina looks forward to growing her offering of retreats and collaborating with a breast cancer charity to provide a holistic approach to a challenging time.
“Retreats are so beneficial,” Christina concluded. “They allow you to reset, wipe the slate clean, and you leave feeling positive and empowered. We’re living in a world where we’re constantly overstimulated and I’m passionate about people experiencing this.”