Midlife Magic: Navigating the Changes of Midlife with Resilience and Grace

Midlife Magic is a wellness retreat for women in perimenopause, menopause and beyond, held over a weekend at Drala Mountain Center in Red Feather Lakes, Colorado. It pairs yoga, meditation and breathwork with practical education on the hormonal and physiologic changes of midlife. It is led by Annabelle Yoo, a Women's Health Nurse Practitioner, and Julie Myers, an Ayurvedic Medicine Practitioner, both long-time yoga and meditation teachers.

The retreat is a quiet place to pause and take stock of this stage of life, and to leave with knowledge, steadier habits and some self-compassion. You can come for the weekend alone or stay one extra day.

What to Expect

Friday is for arriving. Check-in runs from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM at the Guest Services Cabin, followed by a welcome orientation and an opening gathering.

Saturday and Sunday are the core days. Each begins with meditation and movement, with yoga and breathwork sessions through the day. Seminars offer Western and Eastern medicine perspectives on perimenopause, menopause, sexual health and therapeutic interventions, along with integrative strategies for managing common symptoms. Guided discussions look at purpose and passion during this transition, and at how the roles of women in families and society are changing. Optional guided hikes are offered, and Saturday ends with an evening meditation. Sunday closes with a ceremony, and the weekend retreat ends at 12:30 PM.

Those who stay for the optional extra day spend Monday on reclaiming sexuality and sexual function through the menopause transition. After a morning practice session, the seminar covers loss of libido, pain or discomfort during intercourse, relationship transitions and physical changes that affect sexuality. An integration discussion and practices follow, and departure is at 12:30 PM.

The program is group-based and does not include individual consultations.

About Annabelle Yoo

Annabelle Yoo is a Women's Health Nurse Practitioner and has been a devoted student and teacher of yoga and meditation for over 14 years. She began teaching under Cyndi Lee at OM Yoga Center in New York City, bringing a shared devotion to Buddhist teachings and a playful, exploratory spirit to the mat. She has also trained in Ashtanga yoga and meditation. Past participants describe her as a focused practitioner with concise, confident instruction, and as a provider who is well informed about hormone replacement therapy and who listens.

About Julie Myers

Julie Myers is an Ayurvedic Medicine Practitioner who completed her first yoga training in 2012, after a year of practice convinced her she wanted to share it. She was drawn to the grounded yet expansive feeling of asana and meditation. Students speak of her years of yoga classes, her thoughtful hands-on assists, the way she holds space while balancing mindfulness and movement, and her abhyanga offering.

The Setting

Drala Mountain Center sits in the mountains near Red Feather Lakes, Colorado, a serene setting away from the bustle of everyday life. Lodging is chosen at checkout:

- Dormitory: beds for up to 7 or 8 people, separated by gender, with a shared bathroom and shower stalls down the hall.
- Monk Room: a private room with bed, bedding, closet, desk and a large window, with a shared bathroom.
- Single or Double Room: a private room with dresser, closet and an attached bathroom with toilet, sink and shower.
- Junior Suite: a queen-size bed, desk, dresser, closet, sitting area and a private bath with a bathtub.

All meals and drinks are included, with vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options. Extra nights can be added at a reduced rate.

Before You Go

No prior yoga or meditation experience is needed. Classes are guided with an all-levels approach, and the content is educational, suited to women approaching or well past this phase of life. Instruction is in English.

Bring comfortable clothing for yoga and movement, sitting meditation and light hikes. Temperatures can vary, so layers help. Transportation to and from the center and personal wellness products or supplements are not included.