Transform Menopause to Second Spring with Qigong - Elizabeth Estrada

In today’s Qigong podcast, we explore how Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) views menopause as the Second Spring—a stage of renewal, rejuvenation, and feminine vitality. Guest Elizabeth Estrada shares her personal journey of navigating menopause symptoms like insomnia, emotional balance, and physical changes, and how she found natural healing through Zhineng Qigong practices. Instead of decline, Qigong reframes menopause as a powerful transition filled with inner resources, energy balance, and self-healing potential.

Through the lens of qi flow, blood and essence, organ health, and seven-year life cycles, this episode highlights how women can use Qigong for menopause, women’s health, and emotional resilience. Practices such as La Qi, organ sound healing, and holistic Qigong movements help address hormonal changes, stress reduction, and vitality after 40. By working with mind-body balance and the wisdom of Chinese medicine, women can step into the symbolic strength of the wolf, tiger, and dragon, unlocking feminine power, longevity, and transformation.

Join Elizabeth Estrada as she explains how Qigong for women supports this life stage and explains how to Transform Menopause to Second Spring with Qigong!

Mindful Moments: 

• Qigong reframes menopause as the Second Spring—a time of renewal.
• Qigong for women eases insomnia, stress, and emotional imbalance.
• Qigong exercises boost qi flow and balance organ systems.
• Qigong in TCM sees menopause as a new beginning.
• Qigong supports emotional healing and feminine wisdom.
• Qigong practice transforms menopause into self-discovery and creativity.
• Qigong for menopause conserves energy and restores balance.
• Qigong unlocks inner resources for rejuvenation and longevity.
• Qigong training empowers women with strength and vitality.
• Qigong in midlife awakens potential—wolf, tiger, dragon wisdom.

🌐 Episode page: 

Links and Resources:

🌟🌟 Registration for the Second Spring Program:
Transform Your Menopause into a New Stage of Fulfillment: https://mailchi.mp/ec25a48d8cf2/registration

👉Click here to watch a FREE class now: https://mailchi.mp/a9c833584818/5knlbcjr80

🎥 Elizabeth Estrada previous episode: https://youtu.be/1AVrdwVCC90

🎥 Get to know Elizabeth: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QLzjByyfoI

🎮 Discover Qigong Game: https://www.zhineng-qigong-students-hub.com/discover-qigong/

🎁 Discover the power of Qigong with this easy-to-follow Starter Kit: https://qigong-starter-kit.com/

🎙️🌟Explore more podcasts, events, and resources visit:
https://www.zhineng-qigong-students-hub.com/

Connect on Facebook, Instagram, Youtube

Transcript

0:00

Women in their forties enter a natural stage of transformation, a time of new opportunities, and renewed vitality in traditional Chinese medicine, this stage is celebrated as a powerful transition. In sharp contrast to the western view of menopause, which often frames it as a period of decline or even illness that must be treated. But how can a woman make this fundamental shift in perspective and fully embrace What in China is called the second spring? My guest today, Elizabeth Estrada, shares both the theory and practical methods to help women tap into the inner resources and step into this empowering new face of life. My name is to Torsten Lüddecke, and this is the Wisdom Qigong Podcast. So, hello everyone. Uh, welcome to this episode of, uh, the Wisdom Qigong podcast. Uh, I'll have to start this episode by sharing something funny because, uh, only like two hours ago I received a message, uh, about, uh, a huge zhineng qigong practitioner who is a listener of our podcast. And she says, look, you've got so many vibrant, mature women on your show. Why don't you tackle the, the topic of menopause or this phase in the life of a woman. And the funny thing was that I had scheduled this podcast with Elizabeth Estrada quite some time ago because Elizabeth is actually working on a great workshop that she's launching very soon about exactly this topic. So it's very funny that this, uh, this student picked up that I will have this conversation with you today a little bit. Welcome to the show, and I suggest we dive right in. What made you create this workshop? Why are you interested in this particular phase of woman's life? Yes. First of all, thank you very much Thorsten, for having me in your podcast. And, uh, all the other had this very, it is amazing, you know, what you said that a woman is asking, uh, for, for this topic. No. So, uh, this, uh, for me reflects the power of the qi field. You know, so, yeah, it's very nice. But, uh, uh, answering your question, I have to tell you that first of all, I am 56 years old and I entered to this phase of menopause, um, 10 or 11 years ago. Okay. And in general, I believe, uh, this stage without problems or discomfort associated with menopause. However, approximately two years ago, I began a period of insomnia, you know. And immediately, uh, I thought, hmm, this is part of menopause. So as, uh, we are educated, educated in our Western countries, I said, I have to go to the doctor and I have to visit my doctor. So I went to the homeopathic doctor. And he prescribed me some homeopathic medication and several, uh, natural supplements, you know, and I took them for a period of time, but eh, when I stopped taking them, the return. And I thought, Hmm, this is not a, a good, you know, solution for me. This is not the best solution for me. And afterwards I went to another doctor who practices natural medicine and he prescribed me some natural medication and also natural supplements. And this time I can tell you that I quickly. Felt like, uh, they helped me sleep better. However, however, I felt, uh, that the process of sleeping was not natural because as soon as I took the supplements, I felt like I needed to sleep at that moment, you know? And on the other hand, I felt, um, how, um. Taking these supplements generated me, let's say, on real emotions because I felt happier, but I knew that greater joy was generated by the supplements, not by myself. And I, I didn't like that. You know? So. And initially when I stopped taking the supplements again, the insomnia return, and that's why in that moment I decided to investigate if Eastern Medicine had a different vision, you know, a different approach. Of menopause and, uh, fortunately yes, I found, uh, a different perspective in the traditional Chinese medicine and, uh, you know, they recognizes menopause as a natural period in our life and approaches it naturally. I like that, you know, so I began to study more, you know, to study why and how the changes, uh, women experience during this period of cure. And yes, this ancient knowledge is wonderful and for me, the most wonderful thing is that we can continue using this knowledge today. You know? And, um, I can give you, um, I can share with you, with you, let's say an an overall overview. So we can say that in the west, menopause is seen as a stage of decline. Number one, uh, menopause in our countries is the beginning of aging. And also is a period, uh, treated as an illness, you know, because it is a way our culture, um, has educated us, you know, and in contrast, in the ease. Traditional Chinese medicine for them, menopause is seen as a stage of new opportunities and renewed, uh, energy also. Um, this stage, uh, is seen as a period in which we can reach our fullest potential and. Very important and natural pure in which we can use our own internal resources to live life to the fullest. So you can see that I would like, I. I would like to, to, to add to that because I was already reluctant just to call it menopause. Because menopause the word carries information and, um, and it, it's a little bit like a diagnosis from a doctor. Okay. You've got. This disease or that disease. This is like, uh, this is what we associate just by hearing the word menopause. So I really like that you introduce a different concept here and, uh, it be in our conversations before you said that, that, that the, uh, Chinese actually call it the second spring. And right. This is exactly what you described when you said, okay, what is associated with it? It's new opportunities. It's, you know, it's stepping into your power as a woman, you know, just from a different perspective now. And I think this is, yeah, we all know it. In, in, in the world of qang how important information is. Uh, this is why I would encourage, you know, everyone to think of it that way. To either redefine the bird menopause completely or maybe skip it all together and just talk about the second spring, because that is so much more empowering. Um, and yeah, so, but I didn't wanna interrupt you. I just wanted to add this because I think it is very important. Yes, definitely. You're right. I'm very important also is that it is not, you know. Uh, uh, philosophical, philosophical point of view. It is something, let's say real, something that is happening in our bodies, no, in our bodies, uh, emotions, mind, you know? So it's something real. Uh, and yes, uh, this, uh. Chinese, uh, approach is called second Spring. And Second spring, let me tell you, is the stage in a woman's life following the cessation of the menstruation? Okay? However we can begin to experience its effects. 10 years before the complete secession of menstruation. And this is going to accompany us for the rest of our lives. And that's why it's not just a moment in our life is an important stage in our life, you know? So in some cases I, I think that, uh. Second spring is go, is the, let's say, the, the longest, you know, the longest period in a woman's life. Okay, so let, let, let me stress this point, you know, to, to understand that second spring is a stage, it's not a moment. In our life. And some, some of us have a, um, let me, uh, put in this way an special sensibility to, to detect the changes No, before the cessation of menstruation. But even if we don't detect, not or perceive those changes, uh, the change is. It's happening, you know, the change is happening, and so our passage to Second Spring takes place over a number of years and involves a. Uh, we have to say this a complicated series of changes that is not restricted to our periods or the physical aspect, but also emotions, mind. And, uh, I can say the way we see life, know this is this new stage. Um, help us to. If we are aware of, of the changes, uh, help us to reframe our vision of life, you know, so that's why I decided to investigate and study more deeply what menopause means in Chinese medicine. And I could like to. Very briefly, uh, share with you what the second spring is about. Okay. So according to the traditional Chinese medicine, a woman's life evolves in seven Dear cycles. This is a very nice view. No, a very deep view. And today I want to share with you two of these, let's say cycles. For example, when we reach 35 years old, I mean seven times five, our spleen starts to slow down. And with this, the production of qi. Blood and some essential substances decrease. Okay? And if we know the theory of the five san and full organs, we know that, uh, muscles, for example, are governed by the spleen, and as it weakens, the muscles begin to loosen. And, you know, now in our western countries, there is a strong trend, uh, encouraging women to go to the gym, you know, and to, let's say, train their muscles. And that's good. And I'm sure that, you know, uh, it is going to help in some way. But the root, you know, of the change, uh. Is, um, the, let's say, eh, the functions of the spleen are changing. That's the root of this change that we can notice in our, in our body, and eh, also, uh, by the age of 49, 7 times seven. We have less blood, less qi, and less essential substances. Okay? And we start using. More of our savings. Let me put it in that way. Uh, by savings, I I am talking about some essential substances that we have accumulating through our lives. So when, uh, at this period, no, in our life, we have less blood cheat and essential substances, and we use more of our savings and with less. Blood produced, eh, the penetrating vessel, which carries blood to the uterus, will not be full. Okay? And as a consequence, the uterus will not overflow, eh, with its excess. Okay? And our menstruation. We'll diminish and eventually cease, but, and this is wow, wonderful for me, but in an effort to preserve or to conserve our essential substances, our, uh, let's say our body see our wisdom. Uh, let's say that sent the order no to the body, stop the bleeding. Okay. So in this way, okay. We stop the monthly, you know, discharge of blood and, uh. In our countries in the Western world, we see it as the beginning of aging and the decline of our overall health when it is, in fact our body's natural effort to slow down the aging process,, the intelligent way of the body respond and say, this is the way, uh, not to deplete my, my, my resources. This is the way, uh, to, um, make sure my, uh, my, uh, essential substances are not depleted, which is exactly the opposite of, uh, what the west, uh, sees it like, oh my God, you're getting old. It's saying, no, this is my way of keeping me young. Right, exactly. That's right. That's, that's right. Yeah. And, uh, with this, let's say that our, uh, feminine wisdom, uh, brings a new balance, you know, a new balance and, uh, uh, since blood. Essential substances are not, uh, are not longer being lost on a monthly basis. You know, the energy that have had been used to ensure an adequate, uh, supply of lot. Now we can use it for whatever we want or choose. So, so, um, as a result of this, we, we can feel rejuvenated. An experience, an awakening of, uh, new potential, you know, and that's why, uh, tra traditional Chinese medicine called this stage second spring. Okay. But, and, uh. This is also very important. Everything is important in this stage, but the root of the changes we experience in this period, you know, uh, is depends on the quantity, the quality and harmony of the flow of qi, blood, and other essential substances. And this is why zhineng qigong is a good, alive, uh, for us in this phase of our lives to live a foil. Okay. So, so you were, you were mentioning a few points here also. I want to go back to this spleen, and you made the connection of the spleen and the strength of the muscle, so. If you do for Qigong, for example, that you focus on the spleen, this would be an intelligent way to direct qi into the spleen and help the muscles to stay strong. Right. Okay. Talking about the, the, the spleen and the five, uh, san organ organs, I think it's important to, uh, to understand that, um. Also the way we see, you know, uh, the way we see, um, the organs is different. The way we see the tradi, the traditional Chinese medicine see not the function of the organs in TCM. Uh, they see these organs are, um, that the five organs are interconnected. And depend no one with each other. So yes, in some way you are right. But, uh, we have to remember that, uh, the spleen is not an isolated, isolated organ, you know, and that's why we have to, let's say, practice or to work in a holistic way. You know, how we nurture the, the different organs. Okay. Right, right. Thank you. Thank you for clarifying that, Elizabeth. Well, Alami there, there is another important point when we talk about, uh, the five sun organs. Um, in fact, uh, we should think. Uh, in terms of systems, you know, because, because of this, because, uh, these organs are interconnected with other organs, with tissues, with senses, so that's why each organ is a system. You know, it's a system, uh, uh, let's say closely related with some tissues, clothes related with, uh, a sense, et cetera. But also all the organs are, uh, connected. They communicate each other, you know, so it is important to think, uh, in terms of a system, no. Each other is a system. Now you've described, uh, very beautifully how, uh, in, in the Chinese ideas or maybe in, uh, altogether in the Asian ideas, the second spring is actually a new, um, wave of energy that you are getting. Because the, the body, uh, is so intelligent of how it deals with this phase of life. Uh, but not every woman experiences it that way. Um, a lot of our listeners will say, well, that was not how I experienced this phase of my life. And, uh, I'm sure there are many, many reasons and your workshop and your training will address these things so that people can actually make the shift. And say, okay, this is how I saw it before and this is where I want to get to my initial sus suspicion here is that it has a lot to do with information because the word menopause as, as we said earlier. If I associate certain, um, certain things with it that are not positive, I will, yeah. It's a bit like if I, if I say to myself, oh, I'm sick, I will feel sick. Right. Um, so my guess is that a lot of this has to do with the information. So if I don't understand what's actually happening in my body, uh, as a woman in that, at that point, it's not surprising that. I might be having all these, uh, undesired effects and undesired emotions and, uh, and consequences, um, rather than what you've described so beautifully, which is the second spring. Is that, is that correct or how do you, what is the, what is the intention of your workshop? What are you doing with your students? You know, how will you guide them there? Yes. Uh, the, the intention, uh, of the workshops is to, uh, first of all that, uh, uh, women on understand this, uh, information. This, uh, let's say different, you know, way we can approach, uh, to menopause. Because as you know, information is no. For me, it's the thing of every change know that we, uh, can do in our life. So it's important that women first of all understand, you know, what is second spring? What is happening, what is about no second Spring know? And that's why in the workshops, uh, I'm going to share, um. Methods, practice methods, but also, uh, these, uh, principles, this theory about second spring, about, uh, traditional Chinese medicine. So it's a, it's a combination. I say a beautiful combination of practice methods and, uh, and theoretical information, no principles. Um, because. We need to, uh, we Western women need to shift, you know, the way we are, uh, approaching this stage because, um, as you said, every women. Every woman experience experienced this stage in a different way. Some of us experienced some physical, you know, discomfort, some other, you know, uh, perceive some emo emotional changes or no, how their mind change know in this field. And, uh, this approach of second spring give us the opportunity, let's say, to cope this stage as a whole, you know, not, not only the physical aspect, but the emotional and mental aspect. No, and that's why I think it's a, it's a, and strong and a very good way to, uh, to approach to, to this stage. Okay. And. How would you say, I mean it for me, when I hear this, I would say, wow, this is great for women that are now entering like 35 40. So before the um, uh, menstruation, uh, ceases, uh, to understand what, what's to expect. So there information field is set up in the most eloquent way so that they can, uh, benefit from this phase rather than having to deal with it. But what about women? You know that. Are already in the middle of, uh, of this phase of their lives or now have even moved on and are now, you know, in, in the, and fifties and so on. Would that still be valuable for them to basically reinterpret some of the things that use the Qigong, um, exercises that you have to basically tap into these resources that they might not have tapped into before just because they didn't know? Yes. You know, uh, the point is that, uh. Uh, even if a, a woman, uh, have symptoms or a disease related to menopause or not, uh, the root of everything is that we are fa we are going to face or we are experiences experiencing. Or, uh, some women, uh, said, no, I already, you know, experienced menopause. No, uh, from 35. To the rest of our lives, we are facing and experiencing a new balance, you know? And this new balance is going to impact our physical body, our emotions, our mind, you know, our whole being. And that's why it doesn't matter if you have 35, 40, 50, 70 years old. No. You can, uh, let's say join to, to nurture this balance, this new balance. You know, this is, uh, the, the point what? Elizabeth, I know, um, you have put a lot of work and time into studying this, and I know you are all. So, uh, sharing a lot of your own personal experiences in the workshops because, uh, uh, your life wasn't always, uh, easy and you had your challenges and still, you, you are sitting here in front of us as this Yeah. Vibrant woman. Uh, full of energy, full of beauty, and, uh, uh, yeah, full of initiative. So I think it's a good example of, yeah. Uh, you, you're so also so creative. I mean, you're creating this beautiful work. Out of nothing. I don't think there's anything in the Qigong world, uh, that is addressing this topic specifically. Uh, so you, your first workshop will be in Spanish because you are based, um, in, in Mexico and Spanish is your mother tongue. But we have spoken about, you know, the possibility that you will launch the same program in English at what. At one point. So I would encourage all women here that are listening today that are Spanish speakers obviously to run. Go through your website, check it out, see what that's for them. And for the English speakers, uh, mark, our listeners, uh, we are setting up a little link where they can just register that they are interested. If, uh, the time comes, when the time comes, that you will launch the English workshop for that as well so that you can stay in touch with them and they can get the information, uh, if that is relevant to them, and they feel like, yeah, they want to explore it a little more in detail, right? Yes. Right. Thank you. And just to say that for women who want to, to learn more about second and spring, as you said, I am currently sharing a free recorded class in a Spanish now, and at this moment in a Spanish for you, it's a two hour class. No. With more details, no. Uh, about second spring. So, uh, you can enter to my. Website and you can, uh, watch, know, uh, a time. And in November, we, we will begin with the first phase of the program. And as you said, for, for those women interested, interested in taking, you know, the program in English, later, uh, they can register. Thank you. Thank you very much. This was a really interesting conversation and I hope that the, that the woman that sent me the message, the email earlier today, uh, will be very pleased, uh, to, uh, that we are sharing this today. And I know you're gonna inspire a lot of women, uh, either just through this podcast because they get a new take on, uh, on menopause and the second spring, or in your workshops. So thank you very much for, you know, for being here today. And as always, it's a pleasure to have you on the show. Thank you very much Torsten, I hope this talk helps, uh, give, uh, women a first glimpse into how we can approach our, uh, second spring. In a positive way, and I like to close with a Chinese saying that I think it reflects in a very good way what the second Spring is all about. And it says women in their thirties are wolves. In their forties they are tires, and in their fifties they are dragons. This is a cultural metaphor that describes the evolution of feminine power and wisdom in Chinese culture. Uh, moving from conning and independence when a woman is above to ferocity and strength when a woman is, uh, tired and finally achieving, uh, respected. Authority when a woman becomes a dragon, the dragon is a symbol of power, good fortune, and success in Chinese culture, and I think that the secondary spring can bring us closer to this palace. So.