In our modern, fast-paced world, many women feel a profound disconnection from their bodies. We push through, override our cycles, and ignore the quiet wisdom within us. But what if this disconnection isn’t just a product of modern life? What if it’s rooted in generations of systemic control, a legacy that has intentionally separated women from their natural rhythms and power? What reaction comes up for you as you read that sentence?
I get it—if you’re anything like me, hearing this might make you want to roll your eyes or tune out. But I invite you to pause, just for a moment. Yes, it is heavy, and yes, it’s a lot. When we uncover these truths, it can feel overwhelming. But what if leaning in is the first step to reclaiming something truly powerful—something that, deep down, we’ve been searching for all along? You clicked onto this article for a reason, so I invite you to read all the way through before you decide if you want to tune in, or tune out.
In today’s blog, we’ll journey through the historical roots of this disconnection and explore why it’s time for us to reclaim our embodied, cyclical wisdom.
How Patriarchal Systems Shaped Women’s Bodies and Power
To understand our relationship with our bodies today, we need to trace back centuries to a time when control over women’s bodies was formalised. In many ancient cultures, women were deeply respected as keepers of wisdom and life, connected to natural rhythms and cycles. But with the rise of patriarchal structures, this relationship shifted. Women’s roles were confined, their bodies controlled, and their power diminished.
Consider the ways in which churches and states enforced rules around women’s bodies—particularly around sexuality, menstruation, and childbirth. Women were taught to view their bodies as objects to be controlled or even feared. This systemic conditioning was far-reaching, making any act of self-trust or self-empowerment feel radical.
The Witch Hunts
This loss of connection grew more pronounced during the era of the witch hunts. Women who were healers, midwives, and keepers of traditional knowledge were targeted, their practices seen as threats to male-dominated systems of power. Healing arts, midwifery, and herbal wisdom—long practiced by women and celebrated in their communities—were suddenly branded as ‘witchcraft’ and driven underground.
During this time, the emerging male-dominated medical field began stepping in, taking over birth practices and positioning itself as the sole authority on health. In the process, women lost touch with ancient practices that honoured their bodies and cycles.
The Medicalisation of Female Sexuality
Fast-forward to the Victorian era, and women’s bodies were further defined by society’s narrow views. The diagnosis of ‘hysteria’ became popular, essentially a catch-all label for any woman who expressed independence, emotion, or sexuality. This “condition” was often “treated” through invasive methods that aimed to stifle women’s voices and self-expression.
In a sense, women were treated as psychologically abnormal for embodying their natural rhythms, feelings, and desires. Our emotional depths, menstrual cycles, and intuitive senses were rebranded as problems to be managed or medicated away. Women were taught to ignore their bodies’ cues and instead live up to societal expectations of being quiet, virtuous, and modest.
How Women Once Honoured Their Bodies
The patriarchal systems we’ve discussed weren’t always the norm. There was a time when women were respected as the bearers of life, deeply in tune with their bodies and the world around them. Ancient societies understood the beauty of the menstrual cycle, viewing it as a time of regeneration, intuition, and deep insight. Women were encouraged to rest and turn inward during this phase, often supported by their communities.
The womb, in these times, wasn’t just an organ; it was a seat of wisdom, creativity, life, rebirth and intuition. The first religion. Many rituals celebrated the lunar cycle, which aligns closely with the menstrual cycle. By understanding our bodies in this way, women held a sacred connection to nature, the cosmos, and their inner selves and were seen as divine.
Modern Impact
Today, the effects of historical disconnection are still deeply ingrained, with many women operating in ways that overlook or suppress their natural rhythms. For generations, society has conditioned us to believe that success means functioning in a way that aligns with a masculine, linear approach—prioritising consistency, productivity, and stoicism. Women have learned to compete and operate like men in workplaces and personal pursuits, often overlooking their own cyclical nature in order to “keep up.”
However, this pursuit of equality by adopting a masculine way of operating comes at a steep cost. We live in a world that largely ignores female biological differences, treating them as obstacles to be overcome rather than as integral parts of who we are. This dismissal of the unique needs and rhythms of women’s bodies has left us with a health crisis. Never before have women experienced such high levels of chronic health issues, stress-related disorders, and fertility challenges.
Research indicates that chronic conditions like autoimmune diseases are disproportionately higher in women, with over 78% of autoimmune cases affecting women. Fertility struggles are also rising, with many women experiencing reproductive health issues tied to stress, hormonal imbalances, and lifestyle factors that require constant productivity and stress management. Studies even suggest that women face a higher risk of burnout than men, partially because we’re pushing against our natural rhythms and capacities in a culture that rewards “doing” over “being.”
Signs of this disconnection (disembodiment) might look like:
- Ignoring the body’s need for rest and pushing through exhaustion
- Suppressing emotions to avoid discomfort or appearing “overly emotional”
- Feeling uneasy or even resentful toward our menstrual cycles and bodies
- Experiencing burnout from constant productivity pressures, feeling as though we’re never doing “enough”
This relentless push to “do it all” while ignoring our body’s cues and natural cycles isn’t sustainable, and it’s why more and more women are feeling physically and emotionally depleted. By becoming womb conscious, we can begin to honour our bodies as sources of power, not obstacles, and reclaim our health and well-being in ways that support our full, cyclical nature.
Reclaiming Embodiment
The path back to ourselves is one of reclamation. To become womb-conscious is to reconnect with the intuitive, rhythmic wisdom of our bodies and cycles. Feminist movements have made strides in advocating for women’s rights over their bodies, but reclaiming our embodied power goes beyond access and autonomy; it’s about understanding that our bodies are not merely functional—they are sources of deep knowledge and power.
To start this journey of reconnection, consider these practices:
- Cycle Awareness: Track your menstrual cycle and notice the shifts in energy, emotion, and intuition. Let yourself move with these rhythms rather than against them.
- Body-Based Practices: Yoga, meditation, and other body-based practices can help bring awareness to how your body feels, honoring its sensations and needs.
- Emotional Check-Ins: Regularly ask yourself how you’re feeling, especially during times of stress. Your emotions are cues from your body, guiding you to what you need.
- Creating Rest Rituals: Give yourself permission to rest on weekends, after busy periods or days, during times of low energy and in the late luteal and early menstrual phases of your cycle.
To reconnect with our embodied power is to break the cycle of historical conditioning. In todays world it’s a radical act of self-love and self-trust that empowers us to listen to our bodies and respect our unique rhythms and it’s one that all women need to take.
This is not just a personal journey; it’s a responsibility we all share as women to create true power, freedom, and equality. This isn’t about striving to be the same as men, but rather about honouring and celebrating our unique differences. When we reclaim our inherent rhythms and embrace our feminine wisdom, we begin a powerful shift toward collective healing and empowerment.
If you’re ready to fully embody this shift, join the waitlist for my upcoming 16-week program, Reclamation of Her. This is your time to reclaim the parts of you that may feel lost, build deep self-worth, cultivate unwavering safety and a stable foundation from within. Join me and an incredible sisterhood as we come home to ourselves as women because you were never meant to walk this path alone.
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