My purpose and passion, is to help women to uncover and discover the gifts, magic and beauty as well as the healing, empowerment, grace and growth that we all have the opportunity and right to claim as we transition through the menopause.

Sophia Grace

Where it all began…

I started working in the field of complementary/alternative medicine over twenty years ago and have gone on over the years to study numerous healing modalities in the fields of both traditional eastern, and more modern western, practices including Yoga, Meditation, TCM, QiGong, Acupressure and Ayurveda. All of which I combine into a uniquely integrated system for supporting you on your journey through menopause.

Although my formal training in the field of alternative therapy began in my mid-to-late 20’s, medicine and alternative medicine practices have always been in my awareness and in fact, I am sure in my blood, since I was a child.  I grew up in a traditional western medical household.  My father was a doctor and also a qualified TCM Accupuncturist and my mother was a nurse,( who too in her work, had a passion for supporting women through their menopause journey. It’s an honour to be sharing and continuing on from the work that she started in the menopause field).  As a child I shared my parents’ care and service to others. I always loved to listen to, help and support others and I developed from an early age a really deep empathy and compassion towards others, as well as an unstoppable curiosity about alternate approaches to medicine.  

This curiosity came from a number of different places in my childhood.  My parents of course, they both being in the medical profession and also from my heritage and ancestry.  I am of part Asian Indian heritage/ancestry and the traditions, practices and magic of ancient eastern wisdom and modalities are for sure, as I discovered early on in life, well seeped into my veins.  

In addition, and in some ways most importantly for me, that early curiosity also developed from a different path in my childhood.  That curiosity became born out of necessity. A necessity to survive.  As a child, I experienced over 12 years of childhood trauma, from sexual abuse. As a result, I soon learnt that in order to survive what I was going through, very much alone, that I would have to find ways to take care of myself.  To this day I am very proud of the fact that I never turned, over those early years of abuse and during my recovery years that followed after, to harmful practices such as drugs, cigarettes, self harm etc to numb out, avoid and suppress my pain and experiences, but instead somehow I used my power, strength, will, inner resilience and courage that I had and still have within to find ways to survive and then heal from my life experiences.   As a child, I would spend my time in my bedroom reading books on breathing, how the mind works, relaxation, yoga and meditation and that is where it all began…

For sure, I can say now that I am in many ways grateful for my childhood experience.  Not only has it made me the person who I am today but also from it I have developed a passion and thirst for knowledge, for self understanding, awareness, development and growth and for spirituality that helps me to continue to support and heal myself and in turn help and inspire women, like yourself too. Drawing upon the learning, resilience and awareness that I leant back then to assist myself and others going through the menopause today.  

I am constantly, to this day, reading and studying, researching and exploring …finding new ways to not only support my healing journey but also to uncover and discover the magic and truth of who I really am beyond all my life experiences, including my transition through the menopause. And in turn helping women, like yourself, to do the same.    

My life purpose is one of sharing my grace, wisdom, learning, knowledge and experience with others but also it is one dedicated to finding higher meaning, purpose and truth in life…so that each day I can be the most ‘wholest’, authentic, conscious, inspiring and loving woman, practitioner, mother, wife, friend, daughter, sister….human,  that I can be.

Sophia Grace

How my journey into the World of All things menopause came about

My decision to specialise my work and field of expertise in the world of all things menopause came about, once again as a result of my own direct life experience, this time during my menopause transition. 

Sadly, as can be the case for many women, (and unacceptably so!), my journey through the early months and years of my peri-menopause was one of great confusion, fear and isolation. Where I experienced daily physical discomfort, unexplained recurring minor illness and imbalances in the body, rapidly declining mental health, suffering relationships and work, increased insomnia, stress, anxiety and depression.  I felt lost, alone and scared!

I was turned away by GPs on three separate occasions and was told that I was too young for the menopause.  At the time of my first visit and turning away, I was 44 years old!  Not once did they mention the peri-menopause.  

As a result of me not getting the help and support that I so desperately needed I walked alone, for years, through the quagmire of confusion, the tumultuous symptoms and life upheaval that can be for many the peri-menopause.  A journey which sadly took me to the point of considering taking my own life…yes, it was that hard!….  And, as hard and as shameful as it can feel to talk about and admit how hard this was for me, especially as a mum to a beautiful daughter, that low point and dark night of the soul was my turning point.   And, as a result  I have spent my life ever since learning all I can about the menopause to not only better inform, help, honour, nurture, care for, support and love myself but also to help, educate and inspire others too.  

I am Sophia Grace and I am proud to now finally be able to say, after not only what was a very painful start to my menopause transition but after all the hard work I have done, that I am, at this time of writing this page, 48 years old.   I am in the latter stages of the peri-menopause…and am loving my body, myself and my life.

Sophia Grace

Traveling along this tumultuous journey with its rocky paths of ups and downs has enabled me now to work with women, just like yourself, in group and one-to-one settings, in person and online all around the world.   I have trained and received certification to practice as a specialist  Menopause Yoga teacher and as a Menopause Holistic and Wellbeing practitioner.  Each day I continue to gather a wealth of information from continued professional development and training, books, research papers, talking to my clients and talking to specialist practitioners in the field of menopause, (many conversations of which, I will share with you on my online community).  All the knowledge from which I am excited to share with you.  

Everything I know and continue to learn as I grow, I share with you in the groups, workshops, talks, resources and sessions that I offer in the hope that I can help to change the way you and all women experience the menopause transition.  

No woman should ever have to suffer like I did, and I am sure an unimaginable amount of women do each day. And no woman should ever have to feel like they are alone at this time. It is my sincere hope that my offerings can help and support you on your journey. That they can support, empower, educate and inspire you, enabling you to embrace a more healing, ‘wholing’ and empowering menopause transition. 

Disclaimer

It is important that I say that I am not a GP or qualified medical professional.  But I am a fully qualified practitioner of complimentary and holistic menopausal practice (see below for qualifications).  I am also woman who, as I mentioned above, is in her menopause transition and I use all the tools, techniques and resources that I share with you to support myself as holistically and naturally as I can on my own journey.

I have my limitations in terms of my knowledge, experience and capabilities and I will always be very open and honest if I am unable to help you in a certain way.  In those instances, I have a wealth of contacts to which I can sign-post you, if I am unable to help.  

My training, qualifications and professional experience

I have been in private, holistic and complementary practice for over 20 years.  Through my professional training and tireless passion for learning, I have gained a wealth of training, education and experience in some of the world’s most amazing and self empowering healing modalities ranging from ancient eastern, to more modern western practices, including:

Yoga, Meditation, Pranayama, Yoga Nidra, Qi Gong, TCM, Acupressure. Ayurveda, EFT, CBT and Psychotherapy,  Numerology, Transformational Healing, Energetic and Vibrational Medicine and Sound Healing.  My passion lies in integrating all of the above into the system of healing and support which I offer to you. 

Qualifications

Specific to the Menopause:

I am: a qualified Yoga & Meditation teacher ( I completed a 3 year training in Hatha Yoga and Meditation) , a specialist Menopause Yoga teacher ( the qualification of which includes CBT, Qi Gong and Ayurveda for Menopause), and a Menopause Holistic and Wellbeing Practitioner.

Other:

EFT

NCFE – Levels 2 & 3 (Foundation Counselling skills)

Yoga – Completed 3 year Hatha Yoga training – also included Jana (self inquiry), Nada (sound), & Bhakti ( chanting) Yoga

Meditation and relaxation – I year Meditation and relaxation (Yoga Nidra) course

Sound Healing – BAST – Diploma in Group Vocal Therapy

Reiki -Usui Reiki Master Practitioner

Numerology – Numerology of Moses Soul contract reading – Level 1-3

Transformational Healing – Divine Healing Master Key – levels 1-4

Outside of My work…

I love to be out in nature and living down on the South coast in the heart of the amazing South downs, I have plenty of opportunities to be out either taking a walk in the downs or meandering by the sea.  I love Photography, music, painting, reading, being a mum, writing children’s stories, and short stories to inspire all ages.  I also write a blog, www.theramblingmama.co.uk to help, support and inspire women who have experienced childhood sexual abuse.  Additional passions of mine: Astrology,  Moonology & Flowing with the cycles of life.