Where Does The Energy Go After Menopause? An Ayurvedic Look At Apana Vayu
Most of us learned to track the menstrual cycle by calendars and cramps. Ayurveda invites us to notice it as a movement of energy. Apana vayu is the downward-and-outward current that governs menstruation, elimination, and childbirth. It is also a teacher. Each month, apana escorts the body through a complete act of letting go.
So what happens when menstruation ends?
Ayurveda suggests that the current does not disappear. It recirculates. When bleeding ceases, the significant energetic outflow that once moved down and out begins to refine and move in and up. This simple idea reframes an entire life stage. Many women describe feeling drawn toward study, contemplation, service, or leadership in ways that surprised them. Seen through the lens of prana, this is not a personality change. It is a redistribution.
How to support this redirection:
Guard your sleep like a ritual. Deep rest steadies prana so subtler currents can rise. Try tech-off an hour before bed, light stretching, and Yoga Nidra audio while you drift.
Eat for clarity. Aim for regular mealtimes and warm, digestible foods. Add steady protein and keep dinner on the lighter side so sleep stays easy.
Tend the senses. Gentle oil massage before a shower, a few minutes of alternate-nostril breathing, or simply stepping outside at sunrise to reset your clock.
Create a simple altar to attention. One cushion, one candle, five minutes daily. Sit, watch the breath move. Over time you will feel the “up and in” current gather.
Choose one act of service. As energy rises, it naturally seeks expression. Offer an hour a week to a student, neighbor, or community project. Let the inward current become outward wisdom.
Midlife often reveals what was waiting for space. When we support apana’s quiet turn, the mind grows clearer, the heart steadier, and purpose has room to breathe.
Health Disclaimer:
The information shared on Everyday Ayurveda with Kate is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, supplements, or wellness routine.
