Pumping the Cerebrospinal Fluid

As a 'contented crone', I can confidently tell you something extraordinary: once you wriggle out the other side of the menopausal tunnel, you don’t “decline”—you expand. An entirely new chapter begins, full of freedom from the angst and insecurities that can plague earlier decades.

No more worrying about whether Mr Right will appear tonight.

No pressure to be impressive in the bedroom or boardroom

No more comparing ourselves to super mode waifs

No more squeezing into fashion designed for women with the metabolism of a hummingbird.

Gone is the career-driven need to prove ourselves.

Gone is the urge to care what anyone thinks about our home, hairstyle, or eccentricities.

Instead, we gain something far more valuable: Time. Wisdom. Authenticity and a sense of 'freedom'.

We can also develop a new vocabulary ... what I affectionately call PML: Post-Menopausal Lingo.

PML is the language of the Crone Zone. It goes like this:

“I saw you-know-who yesterday up at whatshername’s, near whatsit’s place. That thingymajig on her do-dah is much smaller now she’s started her diddly-do medication.”

Perfectly clear. Women in their 20s might stare at us in confusion, but to us? Crystal.

Our memories haven’t “declined”—they’ve simply become more discerning.

After all, who truly needs to remember why they walked upstairs?

It’s far better to laugh, shrug, and declare it part of your daily exercise regimen.

And yet… keeping the brain bright and the cerebrospinal fluid flowing is genuinely important for long-term clarity, emotional balance, and cognitive vitality. Do Wordle, Suduku, crosswords, puzzles, learn a language, a musical instrument - something that you enjoy and that takes your brain to a cerebral gym. Learning something new daily is one of the best long-term investments you can make in brain longevity.

Which brings us to :Donna Eden’s Cerebrospinal Fluid Pumping Exercise.

A one-minute miracle for the midlife mind.

Why Cerebrospinal Fluid Matters

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is the clear, protective liquid that cushions your brain and spinal cord.

It is constantly moving—rising, falling, washing, nourishing, and flushing your most precious organ.

Research shows that optimal CSF flow is associated with:

• Sharper memory

• Better mood stability

• Reduced brain fog

• Improved sleep quality

• Enhanced detoxification of the brain (especially during sleep)

• Reduced headaches and tension

Interestingly, modern neurological research has demonstrated that CSF flow increases during deep breathing and certain head-holding positions,

something Donna Eden intuitively taught long before the science caught up.

Energy Medicine teaches that when we hold specific points on the head and chest while breathing deeply, we pump fresh oxygen and rhythmically stimulate the craniosacral wave.

This encourages the natural movement of CSF up and around the brain.

In short:It clears cobwebs—energetically and physically.

It’s no wonder many people experience immediate relief from fogginess, overwhelm, anxiety, and forgetfulness.

The One-Minute Cerebrospinal Fluid Pump

(Donna Eden’s Technique)

Do this daily—if you can remember!

1. Place your left hand over your heart and your right hand beside your right ear, palm against your head, fingers extended upward.

2. Take four deep breaths: IN through the nose, out through the mouth.

Rise slightly on the in-breath, let the body relax on the out-breath.

Close your eyes if you wish; it helps you sense the energy shifting.

3. Move your right hand to the back of your head and take another four breaths.

4. Move your right hand to the right side of your chest while placing your left hand beside the left ear, and repeat the breathing.

5. Finally, place your left hand over your forehead, and take your four breaths.

Remember your breath, smile and talk to the spinal fluid e.g. It is now safe for my spinal fluid to flow with strength and health, reaching every single part of my brain

You’ve just pumped oxygen to your entire cranial vault and encouraged the rhythmic wave of CSF.

Many people report tingles, clarity, warmth, grounding, or simply a sense that “the lights just came back on.”

and here we have Donna's daughter (Dondi) demonstrating the pump.

Why This Exercise Works (Energetically & Physically)

1. Oxygenation

The deep breathing saturates the brain with oxygen—crucial for mental sharpness. Women over 50 often breathe more shallowly, especially during stress, fatigue, or hot flushes. This exercise reverses that.

2. Craniosacral Activation

Each hand position corresponds to points that influence cranial bones. Subtle shifts help the CSF move more freely.

3. Neurovascular Points

You are holding neurovascular points used in Energy Medicine and kinesiology to reduce stress, calm fear responses, regulate emotional triggers, and increase blood flow to the forebrain.

4. Meridian Flow

The head and chest positions activate Triple Warmer, Heart, Spleen, and Stomach meridians—helping balance hormones, regulate stress, and support short-term memory.

5. Right–Left Brain Integration

Alternating sides brings the hemispheres into harmony and improves focus, communication, and emotional steadiness.

We can explore other natural allies (with the usual caution: check interactions and avoid ginkgo if on anticoagulants or pregnant): the very best way is to energy test to see which will benefit your brain, optimum dose and time to take it.

• Ginkgo biloba – improves cerebral circulation and cognitive function

• Ginseng – supports mental stamina, mood, and overall vitality

• Rosemary – “Rosemary for remembrance” is more than a saying; it boosts mood and clarity

• Sage (Salvia) – protects memory and is rich in antioxidants

• Green tea – a gentle stimulant with powerful brain-protective compounds

So yes—laugh at the moments you find yourself standing in a doorway wondering what you came for. Or talking in beautifully cryptic PML. Or suddenly remembering the name of an actor from 1972 but not where your reading glasses are.

Take your herbs, breathe deeply, learn a new phrase in Italian, do Wordle every morning and your one-minute cerebrospinal fluid exercise.

You are not declining—you are becoming refined.

A sharp, vibrant, unapologetic, contented crone

xxx Maddie

This, and all my information, is intended for educational purposes only and is not a substitute

for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

It’s a simple sharing of what I have found works for me.

Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making  any

lifestyle changes or using  techniques, supplements, or remedies mentioned here.