sharing the love...

[hottiegyrrl]

i know that i am supposed to focus my energy internally while doing yoga. just get caught up in the moment, listening to what my body is saying while i move through poses. in our yoga room there are mirrors along one wall, the first time i was in this room i was so self conscience about these mirrors. what if someone saw me? i don't look like a yogi. i am not long and lean. i am not always fluid and graceful. i can't always do the poses like everyone else. funny thing is, as i moved through class after class, i found myself watching myself in the mirror and i liked what i saw. i love watching my strong legs hold poses, the tips of my fingers stretching out to the sky. even my wobbly underarms are no longer scary. i realized today, when in a class with a yogi i'd never practiced with before and who had us facing away from the mirror, that when i practice this way, i loose touch with my body. it feels like we are being sent a confirming message that our bodies are not good enough. i've heard yogis say, "let's not face the mirror, it makes people uncomfortable." again, the message in our minds that our bodies are not perfect just the way they are, is being confirmed.

i want to face the mirror. i want to be ok with my body, just the way it is today, tomorrow or next year. i want to be able to look in the mirror and see the strengths and beauty, versus the flaws i am often made aware of. i want to face the negative self talk that sometimes creeps in and counter it with lists of the amazing things i can do with my body. i want everyone to feel that way; to spend more time and energy loving what they got instead of all the time and energy expended into doubt, disgust, "if onlys" and "maybe whens." i'll start... :)




x-posted around. :)