Q & A
What if Menopause is a Reclamation Rather Than a Decline?
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There is so much conversation around menopause right now. It is everywhere, and in many ways it is truly wonderful to see this fundamental and deeply transformative area of women’s lives finally being discussed openly, with new information, perspectives and approaches continually being shared and debated. For some time now, I have felt the quiet call to offer my own perspective on what I perceive to be a completely natural transition within the life of a woman, and perhaps to offer a few reframes or a different way of relating to what can often become a profoundly challenging journey.
To clarify, when I say natural transition, I do not mean easy, nor do I mean that women should simply endure debilitating symptoms in silence. I mean that this change is not a flaw in the design of the female body. It is meant to happen. And when so much of the conversation focuses almost exclusively on changing hormones as failure, deficiency or error, I feel it is important to remember that this shift is part of an intricate and potent rhythm woven into the very fabric of what it means to be a woman. Nothing is going wrong. Yet the range of physical, emotional and psychological symptoms many women experience absolutely invites a deeper conversation around what these symptoms may be pointing towards, and how we can support the body and nervous system through this transition with greater awareness and reverence.
The intention of this article is not to dismiss suffering, nor to reject support or medical intervention where needed, but to offer an alternative perspective on menopause, or perhaps more accurately, on this initiatory threshold in a woman’s life. A perspective that sees this transition not as pathology, but as reclamation. An opportunity to rediscover what it truly means to be a woman beneath the conditioning, pace and structure we have often spent decades conforming to.
In a world where we are so often functioning within masculine modes of productivity, performance, pressure and perpetual doing, many of us have lost connection with the cyclical nature of the feminine in every sense. This turning point can become the wake up call we have unknowingly been avoiding our entire lives.
My first instinct is almost to redefine and even rename this part of a woman’s life entirely. It is so much more than a pause in the menstrual cycle. It is a profound biological, emotional and symbolic transition, a process every woman is designed to move through. And yet it is so often framed as the end of vitality, desirability or fertility, rather than the beginning of another sacred and immaculately designed rhythm of womanhood.
I perceive it almost as an "unbecoming". A loosening of the structures we have held ourselves inside for so long. Physically and metaphorically, it can feel as though we are coming apart at the seams, feeling overwhelmed, emotionally exposed, exhausted, anxious, angry, deeply sensitive, at the mercy of our bodies, our biology and our nervous system. Yet within this apparent chaos there is also communication. The whispers of the body, our grief, our tiredness, the accumulated weight of years of overriding ourselves, suppressing ourselves, carrying more than we were ever meant to carry alone.
There is often a dissolution of the tight structure we have marched to within a world that has largely rewarded women for how much they can endure, produce and accommodate. And perhaps this is the point at which the body begins to communicate with greater clarity and firmness. Slow down. Listen. Nourish. Feel. Stop abandoning yourself. Soften into another way of being. Into a deeper and more sacred relationship with the feminine as she evolves beyond outward fertility and into another expression of power, intuition, discernment and embodied wisdom.
Across many ancient traditions, the womb was understood as far more than simply a reproductive organ. Symbolically, it represented a sacred chamber of creation, intuition, transformation and deep instinctual intelligence. The cave, the inner chamber, the dark feminine spaces of myth and ritual, were often symbolic places of death and rebirth, places where identity dissolved and something new emerged. Perhaps this transition asks us not to cling to who we have been, but to deepen into another expression of feminine intelligence altogether. Less externally orientated, and more deeply rooted in truth, intuition, creativity, sensitivity and inner knowing.
If we centre ourselves within the lens of The Alchemist’s Way, one of the foundational understandings is that the body is innately intelligent. There is an organising principle moving through all of life and through every process within the body itself. The body is not trying to harm us. It is constantly attempting to preserve harmony, adapt, compensate and maintain the survival and balance of the whole system.
From this perspective, symptoms are not failures. They are expressions and messages, the language of the body communicating honestly with us about the state of the system as a whole. They invite us into deeper relationship with our body, our emotions, our nervous system and our way of living, so that we may begin to understand the deeper ecology of our inner world and support ourselves in more nourishing and coherent ways.
No system within the body functions in isolation. Everything exists in relationship. From this lens, the symptoms of peri-menopause and menopause are not simply about hormones alone, but about the entire system reorganising and attempting to restore balance amidst the conditions we have placed it under physically, emotionally, psychologically and environmentally.
I am not a hormone specialist or a functional nutritionist, and I do not claim to be. Yet I wholeheartedly believe that the body is beautifully engineered for this transition beyond traditional fertility rhythms and into what some traditions may refer to as the wise woman, oracle or crone years of life. Not as caricatures or spiritual identities to perform, but as symbolic reminders that another kind of feminine power and perception may begin to emerge through this stage of life.
It is not an error. Nor do I believe the ultimate goal should simply be to recreate the exact chemistry of our younger fertile years in order to silence the body entirely. Rather, perhaps we might ask a deeper question. Why are these hormonal changes manifesting in such intense and varied symptoms for so many women? What else is occurring within the nervous system, the metabolism, the emotional body, the lifestyle, the pace of life and the accumulated burden the body has been carrying for decades?
When we begin to understand the intricate relationship between stress, nourishment, metabolic health, nervous system regulation, emotional suppression, unconscious behavioural patterns, sleep, pace of life and hormonal shifts, we can start to support the entire ecosystem of our being rather than isolating one aspect and calling it the sole cause.
In truth, hormonal change may be less the cause and more the catalyst. Almost as though the body can no longer conceal the deeper imbalances, depletion and compensations that have existed beneath the surface for many years. The ways we have disconnected from ourselves suddenly become harder to ignore.
Our hot flushes, night sweats, fatigue, anxiety, brain fog, sensitivity, insomnia and weight changes are not punishments, nor are they signs of failure. They are the body speaking more loudly! They are invitations into a different relationship with ourselves. And perhaps what this transition asks for more than anything is nourishment. More rest. More honesty. More listening. More softness. More support. More attention to what the body is actually asking for, rather than what the world demands from us. It may ask us to re-evaluate the pace we live at, the food we consume, the stress we tolerate, the emotional burdens we carry, the relationships we remain within, and the endless pressure to continue functioning whilst profoundly disconnected from our cyclical nature.
We live as though we are fixed and unchanging human beings, yet the truth is that our biology has always moved in rhythms and cycles, each phase asking for different things from us physically, emotionally and energetically. Yet modern life rarely honours these shifts. Society does not often make space for the intricate rhythm of the feminine. So, when the nervous system most needs calm, rest and restoration, or when the body is working harder to process stress and hormonal change, many women continue pushing forward at the same relentless pace, overriding the body’s needs again and again until the system can no longer compensate in the same way.
From the perspective of The Alchemist’s Way, we are not powerless victims of our biology, but participants within a deeply intelligent living system. The body is not separate from the psyche, the nervous system, our emotions, our environment or the stories we have lived within. Everything is interconnected. Everything is in relationship.
This transition can feel like a dismantling. At times, even a dark night of the soul. There may be grief here too. Grief for the years we spent abandoning ourselves. Grief for the pressure of holding everything together. Grief for the woman we thought we needed to be in order to survive or belong. Yet perhaps what is falling away is not our vitality, but the structures that kept us disconnected from ourselves in the first place.
Something ancient is being remembered here.
Not the end of the woman, but the reclamation of her.
And whilst this journey can be deeply challenging, uncomfortable and disorientating, I believe there is also immense possibility within it. An invitation to become more truthful, more embodied, more instinctive, more nourished and more deeply connected to ourselves than perhaps ever before. Not broken. Not failing. But changing form.
If this perspective resonates with you, and you feel called to explore this transition through the lens of presence, embodiment and reclamation, you are welcome to explore The Alchemist’s Way and the sessions I offer. This work is not about fixing or forcing the body, but about learning to listen to its deeper intelligence and support the unfolding of a more conscious relationship with yourself, your body and your life.
To find out more about this, please contact me or for more Questions & Answers, visit this page.
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Serap at Innate Healing has been a true light in my healing journey. For the past two years, her calming presence and deeply intuitive shamanic sessions have helped me move through anxiety and grief with a sense of peace and clarity. I genuinely look forward to each session no two are ever the same, and that’s part of what makes them so special. The impact on my life has been profound, guiding me through some of my darkest days with insight, warmth, and even a few much needed laughs. Shamanic Healing is so powerful and I couldn’t recommend Serap enough
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I have been seeing Serap for the past year and a half, and I truly cannot express how much her work has transformed my life. I first came to her during one of the most challenging periods I’ve ever faced — emotionally / mentally drained and spiritually disconnected. From the very beginning, she held space for me with such compassion, clarity, and unwavering support. Each session with Serap feels like a journey back to myself. Her intuitive ability to tap into what’s going on beneath the surface is nothing short of remarkable. Whether it's clearing energetic blockages, restoring balance, or helping me reconnect with a deeper sense of purpose, every experience has brought me closer to healing, strength, and peace. What sets Serap apart is not only her exceptional skill but the genuine care and integrity she brings into their practice. I’ve felt seen, heard, and supported in many ways she has helped me shift long-standing patterns, release trauma, and build a renewed sense of trust in life — and in myself. I can confidently say I’m a different person today than I was when I first met her — more grounded, more open, and more aligned. If you’re going through a tough time or simply feel called to deepen your healing journey, I cannot recommend Serap highly enough.
Claudio Vedovelli, Chalfont St Peter
Energy Healing
Serap is a great healer. My sessions with here were relaxing, calming, and transformative. With her help I was able to deal with past trauma and issues leaving me with a calm sense of peace and acceptance. If you feel you need help or feel lost, reach out to Serap. You won't regret it.
Ravinder Gino Hoonjan, Physical Therapist & Performance Coach, Slough
Distance Shamanic Healing
I had the distance healing session which I was a little sceptical of. However, it was truly mind-blowing and a beautiful experience. Words are not enough to describe what occurs during and after the healing so try it out for yourself, you will see.
L.E, Spain
Talk & Heal Energy Healing Sessions
I first came to Serap over 5 years ago having been diagnosed with cancer. I had previously experienced the benefits of energy healing and was starting to understand how stuck energy can prevent the body being in a state of homeostasis and flow where it can heal itself. I have been seeing Serap regularly ever since and she has helped me let go of many deeply buried untrue beliefs about myself and release unprocessed, suppressed emotion, which were stopping me expressing my true essence. I am now more well than I’ve ever been and Serap’s healing is fundamental to my daily commitment to keep myself mentally, emotionally, physically and energetically well.
Sarah Veall, Transformational Coach, Chesham
Distance Energy Healing
I highly recommend Serap! She is such a wonderful and compassionate human being. I had a few distance healing sessions with her. She is very knowledgeable, and she made the experience even more blissful and profound with her kind words and caring. I’m eternally grateful for her, for her energy and for the universe for allowing our path to cross.
N.S, Spain
Shamanic Healing Sessions
Serap has, indeed, innate qualities that she expertly and compassionately calls upon when engaging in healing work. She deploys an array of exquisite abilities, skills and techniques that enable the right amount of gentle alignment and balance as needed in every session. During healing sessions with Serap, my heart sang with joy as it received exactly what was most beneficial at the time. Placing oneself in Serap´s powerful, yet gentle, healing field has great potential for generating or furthering encouragement, empowerment and guidance upon the landscape of the soul.
Simon Chamberlain, Shamanic Practitioner & Teacher, Nordic School of Shamanism, Norway
Accessing shamanic states of consciousness
The journeying training for me has been an absolute eye opener to the magical world of what we are all capable of! Serap is an amazing teacher who worked closely with me throughout the sessions creating a safe and trusted space for me to be able to journey to experience that which I have never experienced before. As a result of these sessions, I can confidently access through journeying, support and guidance for my everyday life to help me further my own life journey. It’s definitely something that I am able to use wherever and whenever I need extra support and direction. Eternally grateful to you Serap 🙏
N.M Harrow, London
Usui Reiki Training Programme / Core Shamanic Practices Training
Having completed Levels 1-4 Usui Reiki with Serap some years ago, I knew immediately that Serap would be the one who would assist me with developing myself with this additional form of healing, Shamanic Healing. Serap’s pace of training throughout was perfectly in tune with the way I needed to learn, it was a perfect balance of theoretical background with the history of Shamanism, together with the practical methods for use today. Serap is always able to answer questions that I had during the course and continues to be a supportive teacher throughout my healing journey.
N.M Harrow, London
Energy Healing
I am so grateful for having come across Quantum Touch and Serap who together have alleviated so much suffering from my life. Serap is a grounded, warm, straightforward healer who you know will do the very best for you that she possibly can. It is this approach together with her clearly proficient healing skills which my mother warmed to when I took her to Serap for healings too which greatly helped her over a difficult period she was experiencing with her health. We have both worked with Serap in person and across distance and have found her distance healings to be as effective at providing relief as healing with her in person. She has been a blessing to both of our lives.
Monireh Jassat, London and South Africa
Usui Reiki Training Programme
I attended a Reiki level I & II weekend course led by Serap and had a brilliant time. Serap is a great teacher and listener. She has a lot of experience and delivers her skills and knowledge with warmth, patience and humour. I am excited to delve into the world of Reiki and grateful for Serap's guidance and wisdom.
Bansree McCallin, Amersham, Buckinghamshire
Usui Reiki Training Programme
I did Reiki level 1-2 with Serap Enver and really enjoyed it over the weekend. Highly recommend her. I travelled all the way from SE London, she was most accommodating and caring and made the whole experience worthwhile for me. The group was small and intimate. I am really grateful for meeting new like minded people full of wisdom with open hearts. A truly great experience...
Tanaz Assefi, London
Usui Reiki Training Programme
I have completed Reiki I, II and III with Serap. She has such a calming presence and is a brilliant teacher. I have thoroughly enjoyed my learning and couldn't recommend her more. Thank you Serap.
Kerry Beach
Energy Healing Session
I was sceptical upon arriving for my Quantum Touch healing session. However, after the treatment any doubts I had before had disappeared. My mind and body were left feeling refreshed, rejuvenated and at peace. Thank you so much Serap.
Alistair Noble, Watford, Hertfordshire
Energy Healing Session
Serap put me at my ease immediately with her soft and grounded presence, kind words and soothing voice. During the treatments I felt safe and held, as if in a healing bubble. My whole body relaxed and softened. Each session was enormously comforting and real emotional healing occurred as well as some easing of physical aches and pains. It is my opinion that Serap is a powerful Reilly healer and comes with my highest regard and recommendation.
Terry Breeze, McTimoney Chiropractor, Chesham
Energy Healing / Usui Reiki Training Programme
Rest assured this is the real deal. A beautiful experience, safe, authentic and a responsible, caring approach and environment in which to learn and absorb
Jane Charity, Notting Hill, London
Usui Reiki Training Programme
I cannot praise Serap highly enough. Pacing, delivery, passion for Reiki and healing and level of her knowledge are excellent. She has extensive knowledge on possible healing techniques that could be applied. It was great learning from Serap this weekend. I felt well looked after. She has lovely caring energy. The Manual she created for the course is brilliant . It is easy to use and very well structured. I am very happy I was guided to get my Reiki Master / Teacher Attunement from her.
Eva Fejer, Reiki Master Student, London
Mindfulness Coaching
I had a pleasure to attend a Mindfullness Workshop in Oct-17. It was an empowering experience and a very calming, insightful six -hours for me. Learnt a few useful techniques to keep perspective on everyday chaos and hurry- that are just our perception. La vie est belle. Thank you Serap for the inspiration.
Aga Shoshi, London
Mindfulness Coaching
So today I attended my first Mindfulness session with Serap Enver. It's quite difficult to describe the experience but I will try my best: Wow, brilliant and amazing! What an experience! Thank you Serap.
Ayse Adil, Enfield, London
Usui Reiki Training Programme
I immediately realised that Serap is a very special person: warm, kind, patient and most of all she exudes amazing positive energy ! I was recently really privileged to be shown the benefits of Reiki and trained by Serap. Not only did I come away from that brilliant weekend feeling wonderful, a long-term back problem seems to be resolved ! Serap has taught me to 'trust the process ...' and I would certainly recommend you do the same. Serap is a truly wonderful healer and Teacher.
Linda Griffiths
Energy Healing
I highly recommend Serap Enver, as she has really helped me both emotionally & physically, with her distant energy healing. I was suffering depression & sadness after several bereavements in my family. During our sessions over Skype, I could feel the warmth and tingling of her healing energy in my heart. Subsequently, I have felt so much better - thank you Serap. She also worked on my ears, which a few years ago had become rather sensitive to certain high frequency sounds. After a few QT/Reiki sessions with Serap, my ears are now able to cope much better with these kinds of difficult noises. Do contact her and try some distant healing sessions - she's a lovely, gentle & very caring person, as well as a really excellent & gifted healer.
Ollie Muncaster, Director & Film Maker
Energy Healing
Profound and immediate improvements...
Profound and immediate improvements in my physical and mental well being following major hip replacement surgery... an altogether wonderful and uplifting experience each time...
Andrew Irving, Private Client, Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire
