A few weeks ago, I finally got up the courage to take a group Iyengar yoga class in New York City. Now, I’ve been doing yoga for 17 years, so you’d think I’d be all over that studio. But no, I prefer to study one-on-one with a teacher, free from constantly comparing myself to anyone else (other than my teacher who is, like, 85 pounds and does yoga 10 hours a day). It’s always just the two of us in class—and through my almost two decades of practice, the changes I’ve seen my body go through have been more about range of movement and strength than dress size or weight.
But as I looked around the crowded classroom in New York, I breathed a huge sigh of relief. There were large, small, young, old, thin, lumpy, big-boned, big-muscled, tall, and not-nearly-so-tall people—every single person was absolutely unique. And every single person was doing the work of yoga. I left the class feeling strong, peaceful, and enlightened….
I realized that your body is your body.
So many people strive for that “perfect body.” We are all called to flatten our bellies, tone our arms, build muscle, lose weight, get in shape. But that’s just it. Your shape is the shape you were born with. Yes, you can sculpt and tone it, but your body is your body, and it’s unique to you. So the first step is to realize that, accept it, and LOVE your body exactly as it is. Right now. Love it, be IN it, listen to it. What is your body trying to tell you?
I believe that injuries can often be messages from your subconscious. Chronic diseases can be something in your body, or even soul, crying for attention. We’ve all known people who had the “perfect body” but still got sick and died. We probably know even more people who have the “perfect body” but are miserable, cranky sorts. Is that health? No. A “perfect body” is no guarantee of anything. And no one else—no doctor, no pill, no personal trainer can give you that true health that comes from acknowledging that your body is your body and it’s yours to love and care for.
Being truly healthy is not complicated. Trust me, I’ve seen and heard it all, and it comes down to a few key things: Eat clean, whole foods from nature; exercise and be active; and cultivate happiness and love in your heart. The rest is minor details.
So stop looking at everyone else and their “perfect” bodies and take a good long look in the mirror. Decide right now that your body is your body, and start loving it, in all its glorious unique imperfections. Start feeling its needs in your heart and then take care of them accordingly. Be in it all the way. Because your body is an amazing miracle, exactly as it is…right now.
I have learnt so much from you & your blogs (including your guest writers) since i first found it! Organic food gradually makes me and my family stronger physically. And i’m committed to it because it feels very good to be healthy. Thanks a great deal, its not often to be able to find really good & healthy & free (!) source of useful advice!
I’ve been looking in the mirror plenty, of late. I think that the older we get, we tend to feel the need to do something more with, and to our bodies to make us look better, rather than to feel better. Sometimes what we do to it to look better, doesn’t always work, and could cause more damage than good. Exercises should be tailored to your body’s need and physical makeup. A one exercise, does not fit all! I have decided to revisit my physical therapist, to get the proper exercise and body strengthening that I need for my body and body type. I do need to work on some areas to look better, we all do. I don’t want to look like a 20 or even 30 something, but I could use a good toning. Of course I eat organic, healthy foods, and drink plenty of water, but exercise is also needed in a healthy way.
I have come to terms with the fact that my body is aging and there is only so much that I can do to slow the aging process down and still look nice. Don’t want to be supermodel thin, but I’d like to continue to be healthily slender, with the weight distributed in the proper places.
For some reason, even as a kid, I’ve never worried or cared “How I look” – but as an adult I’ve always cared “How I feel”. And I want to feel good. Maybe that’s because I’ve had a lot of pain in my body for years and years. But the good side of not worrying about how I look is that now as I age and look less good, it doesn’t bother me. But I do still care how I feel. When I recently had to have a second skin cancer cut off my forehead, the doctor was so concerned about how it would look. I said, I don’t care how it looks, I only care how I feel, just cut it out and stitch it up! When I look in the mirror, I’m not looking for beauty, just for a body that isn’t in pain! And very grateful when I am just feeling good.
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