With a goal of helping women live more intentionally and magically, and a professional background in traditional coaching, Erin Daruszka of Pause and Align has created a multi-faceted path to making the most of midlife challenges and changes.
Q: What brought you to this non-traditional coaching field?
In my forties, I was curious about a lot of different things, including medical issues. At 49 I thought I was in perimenopause but discovered I was post-menopausal. As I was learning more for myself, I decided I wanted to help others.
Q: What makes Pause and Align unique?
The mission of Pause and Align is to help women, particularly those in midlife, to live with more intention–and magic!
Through a signature coaching approach and community experiences like Midlife Is Magic, I help women pause, reconnect with themselves and envision and realign how they want to live next.
The 5 Cs of Becoming Her is my signature approach to working one-on-one with women. It’s part of a 3-month (or more) “container” where we work together to move through the in-between. The in-between is what I like to call the space before our crone era. We are not feeling quite like a crone yet, but we may not be fully identifying as mother or maiden either.
This work weaves all of my skills into a tapestry, so you don’t just get coaching or energy work or intuition; you get it all. It’s also how I have been living my life for some time now. Here are the 5 Cs:
- Connection: tapping into your higher self
- Cleansing/Clearing: time to energetically clear the cobwebs
- Cultivating: how you get to your destination
- Calibrating: adjust your route if necessary
- Claiming: you’re there!
You may spend some time in step four before reaching your destination, or want to go on another trip someday, but ultimately you are the driver. I’m merely your trusted guide.
Q: What does a session with you look like?
As an intuitive coach and a Reiki Master who also utilizes Shamanic and other energy-healing tools, I bring a lot to the table. But sessions are customized for each person and may include breathwork, meditation, maybe some yoga postures and movement.
Body mapping of the energy meridians of the body—meridians are a network of invisible pathways in the body through which life force energy, known as Qi, flows—is part of the somatic work, using body, breath, and mind.
This acts as a guide to help women be able to feel safe in their body. Then they can sustain the changes they want to make. Where the body goes, the mind will follow.
Q: Why is what you do important?
There are all these changes that women get focused around; there’s a lot of negativity. But I view this “in-between” time not as a curse, but an opportunity.
Q: How does your work connect to the greater community?
Because I feel this topic is so important, I wanted to get the word out to more people. I started Menopause Chats on YouTube, which are just interviews over Zoom with guests, which I record live and then post, unedited.
There are dozens online, with topics from HRT (hormone-replacement therapy) to parenting and work, to surgical menopause. All chats revolve around this time of life for women. Most recently I interviewed a man giving his perspective as a partner of a perimenopausal woman.
Also, I have other ways people can get in touch. In Winston-Salem, for example, I offer Midlife Is Magic, which is a two-hour taste of my program, limited to 10 women, where we experience breathwork, meditation, journaling, and sharing. It’s very mindful.
I also offer a quarterly book club online (because women are busy!) of nonfiction books related to midlife experience. You can find all of these avenues on my website. Also, events such as Midlife Is Magic will be part of the GHC events calendar.
Q: How does someone know if your services would be helpful?
The first session is always free, to make sure my services are a right fit (for the client and myself), where I can answer questions. Everything is virtual, so it’s convenient.
Pause and Align can be really powerful for people who are looking for something else, maybe after trying other things. Having gone through somatic training, I live it every day and I know it can work if you do it. It’s about the consistent practice as opposed to how long you do it each day; it takes 21 days to make something a habit.
Q: Why did you join the Greensboro Holistic Collective?
Having lived in the area for only three-and-a-half years (I moved from California), I intentionally made 2026 about putting myself out there in the community. I participate in some women’s networking groups which focus on business, But I realized it would be beneficial for my spirit to be in community with other like-minded folks. Attending the Triad Reiki Conference was my opportunity to check out the vibe in general, which resonated with me, so here I am.
Mary Ellen Hettinger is an evidential medium and founder of Heavenly Visitors, a Greensboro Holistic Collective member, and a GHC Volunteer Staff Writer and Editor.
Disclaimer: The information shared in Greensboro Holistic Collective posts is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical, mental health, or legal advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider or professional with any questions you may have regarding your health, well-being, or specific situation. Never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of information you read here. Greensboro Holistic Collective does not endorse any specific practitioners, services, or products mentioned, and participation in any activities is at your own discretion.
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