Embrace the Middle is about saying yes to midlife!
Embrace the Middle is a paradigm shift, which challenges the negative, diminishing, crisis-laden narrative of midlife to be replaced with a more expansive, uplifting, and empowering perspective.
And, Embrace the Middle offers a method to navigate the challenges, celebrate the joys, and find power in midlife.
Want to learn more? Read on.
Many of us consider midlife to be a bleak period of our lives; a time highlighted by unwelcome changes, loss, and physical decline. Indeed, there are many challenging aspects - menopause, empty nests, bodily changes, and deaths of loved ones are absolutely defining aspects of these decades. Yet, they are only part of the story.
The middle decades are also possibly our most powerful years. We are wiser and more self-aware. We are more competent and more confident. And we are more comfortable in our skin, even with its more mature appearance. With childrearing and careers taking up less energy and attention, and with decades of life ahead of us, midlife is the ideal time to focus on us – to identify and step into our most authentic, fulfilling lives. Yet, too often, we lose connection with these gifts and opportunities because the challenges inherent in these decades can consume our attention.
Embrace the Middle is an approach, wherein we intentionally widen our awareness to remain mindful of the entire midlife tapestry. By doing so, our vision moves from myopic and depressing to expansive and uplifting and we become empowered to move towards our midlife callings.
Embrace the Middle also offers a means to help navigate the multilayered midlife changes and connect with our deepest desires. It is a mindful process, which uses the tools of presence and compassion, to gently welcome the plethora of midlife transitions, and, our earned wisdom to guide us. By saying yes, we connect with our power and experience the fullness of our lives.
Embrace the Middle programs, not surprisingly, are best suited for women in their 40s, 50s, and 60s, who are open to and curious about examining their lives and identifying areas of strength as well as aspects that are ready to change and evolve. Join us at a workshop, meditation event, or immersive day, and discover the difference yourself.
Testimonials
Thank you, Shayna! Your groups are always amazing and have a high rate of return on value and worth when the time, energy and vulnerability is invested!
Angela B.Shayna holds space in the most loving and effective way. Her workshops are full of great information that allows one to step inside with full authenticity while being held with the felt sense of love and acceptance. I walked away with insight that continues to feed and fuel me everyday.
Elizabeth S.This was a profoundly powerful day. The location, the greeting, the content, and the exercises allowed for a beautiful ease and flow of a remarkable experience. Shayna has a keen ability to hold space and create a nurturing environment where everyone can interact and share freely…or not.
Christine B.Shayna’s workshop completely changed the way I think about my life—from blah and overwhelmed to YES!” Her SOFTT model is like giving myself a hug. Shayna’s daylong workshop literally transformed the way I process all that we, as midlife women, experience.
AnonymousThank you beautiful sister for such a magical gift of your day retreat yesterday Your softness and compassion shone bright and transformation happened
I have found the workshops to be very insightful, and potentially transformative. It is a wonderful idea to have a workshop for women in similar places in their lives. It is beautifully lead by Shayna, who offers insight, guidance, and wisdom. I highly recommend these workshops!
Donna B.Thank you so much Shayna Gothard Kaufmann!!! What a wonderful, positive, encouraging, supportive and enlightening experience! All of what you were saying were things I definitely can relate to, and your facilitated exercise was so very valuable. Thank you for creating this for our community of women and beyond. You really are amazing and I admire you deeply!
Shannon W.Through her “Embracing” series, Shayna graciously extends her extensive knowledge, experience, insight, guidance, healing, zen-like leadership and obvious love for what she does with her fellow “middle” women. I gained significant insight about “me” in ways I hadn’t considered before, and that allowed me to begin a wonderful journey of much needed acceptance, forgiveness, healing and peace. I also gained a network of amazing, wonderful women! Thank you, Shayna. You are a trusted adviser and forever friend.
Kelly B.Ongoing growth and development is a huge priority in my life, but I was having a difficult time finding the right context for creating it. Within the confines of Shayna’s group I found camaraderie, laughter, fellowship, connectedness, a feeling of interpersonal relatedness, a sense of safety and mutual respect, and an overall feeling of being truly heard without judgement. I trust Shayna implicitly and in her group I always feel comfortable and safe; a nurturing space to reflect, engage in lively conversation, explore new options and possibilities, and find new ways of thinking about old challenges. I cannot think of a better person to facilitate personal growth and development workshops than Shayna Kaufmann.
Claire Y.