“unapologetically wide”

I first came across this concept of being ‘unapologetically wide’ in a yoga workshop in Sydney with Geeta Iyengar (daughter of BK Iyengar). I remember her querying why Western women were obsessed with ‘zipping’ everything up instead of allowing a natural spreading, a taking up of space as we travel through menopause to the next chapter of life.

Her perspective was clear: by shrinking ourselves to fit into society’s narrow standards of what an attractive woman should be, especially those shaped by patriarchal ideals, we lose so much of our power. On a physical level, we restrict our ability to breathe deeply and fully, depriving our bodies of the healing, energizing properties of the breath.

Recently I undertook an inquiry that invited me to sit in reflection on my own body’s changes through peri to post menopause.

I was reminded of a sculpture I saw years ago on a retreat brochure in Costa Rica—a piece that beautifully captured the essence of the women I’ve encountered in my work and travels. It mirrors the strength and vitality of the nonnas in Italy, the babushkas waiting at train stations along the Siberian railway, and the market vendors in Irkutsk. I see the rice planters in rural China and Cambodia, the women carrying heavy loads on their heads through the bustling markets of Ghana and Nigeria—and so many others.

These women, broad and unapologetically full-bodied, with bellies that speak of lives lived and work done, are the epitome of health and resilience. They walk miles every day, labor tirelessly, and radiate a strength that has nothing to do with gym memberships or modern fitness trends. Their physicality is matched by an inner presence—a sense of belonging, of taking up space, of knowing their place in the fabric of their communities. For many, the season of fertility—so often a time of limitation and societal control—has passed, opening the door to a new freedom.

This sculpture and my body have reminded me that there are times when our bodies send us signals of change that need to be attended to and other times when the changes are natural and yearn to be embraced, welcomed, and even celebrated as the natural shift that our bodies undergo to support us into the next cycle of our lives.

Menopause offers each of us a precious opportunity to pause and listen—to sit with the changes unfolding in our bodies and discern what they truly need and what they are asking of us. Just as our bodies transformed during puberty, they are now naturally reshaping themselves, softening into new curves and grounding us with the strength and wisdom of this powerful phase of life—our second spring. ❤️

During my training in Radiant Lotus Women’s Qigong, Master Daisy Lee, shared a beautiful truth: one of the magical blessings of this form of Qigong is its invitation to gently guide our bodies toward their optimal shape and size—not according to external standards, but in alignment with the unique essence of who we are.

Through movement and breath, we connect with our inner vitality, supporting our bodies as they adapt to hold the wisdom, power, and beauty of this new chapter. It’s a practice of deep self-care, celebration, and discovery—a way to honor the incredible journey we’ve walked and embrace the radiant possibilities that lie ahead.

My invitation to you is to open to the wonder and wisdom that lies within us, embracing the changes of the menopause transition with curiosity and compassion. This is a time to honor every part of ourselves—the strength, the softness, the stories written into our bodies. Some moments may call for support from others, while at other times, we’re invited to step boldly into something new—a new chapter, a new way of being, a deeper relationship with ourselves.

Let us celebrate the beauty of standing fully and wholeheartedly unapologetically wide. To claim our space, to breathe deeply into our evolving bodies, and to honor the cycles of life that have shaped us. Menopause is not an ending—it is a continuation of the infinite possibilities within the feminine body. This is a time to embrace all that we are and all that we are becoming, with grace, strength, and joy.

with love

C x