"Yoga is not about being good at something. It's about being good to yourself." Yoga has been and still is the one of the most important things that has really helped me build a better, more loving relationship with my body. The body is your home and yoga teaches us that by choosing to practice yoga it is simply asking you to just be as you are, not to be more than you are. Yoga is not about self-improvement, it’s about self-acceptance. It’s about being kind to yourself and moving with love towards your body. Yoga can teach us to open up not only our hips, but our hearts too, bringing the focus and our awareness inwards, so that we can access what we already know and be who we already are. So here are 3 ways yoga can help mend your relationship with your already beautiful body:
Asanas Allows You To Reconnect With Your Body
When you move through the physical yoga postures with your breath, you are connecting to your body whether you know it yet or not. You are focusing on moving your body in the best way you can, you are connecting to the breath, you are finding your inner self, you are staying in the present moment. It’s just you, your body, breath and the mat. Through physical yoga practice you are able to begin to understand how each area of the body moves, functions, how it feels and how each part of the body is connected. Anyone who has struggled with negative body image has spent time ignoring and disconnecting from the parts of the body that brings feelings of shame and disgust. Yoga pulls us back from these spiralling thoughts and emotions. In order to move from one posture to another, you have to tune into your body and notice what it needs in the moment. It requires you to listen to your body and respond accordingly. When you sit through the discomfort of a challenging pose, and do so with grace and perseverance, you learn just how strong and resilient you are.
Pranayama Breath Calms The Mind And Helps You Stay In The Present Moment
By simply laying down and focusing on the breath in the belly, we are straight away sending signals to our brain that it is time for our body and nervous system to relax and rest. Pranayama or ujjayi breath is deep and powerful. With this breathing technique we are working on lengthening the inhale and the exhale, creating a long, smooth breath. It builds heat in the body promoting rest and aiding digestion. When we begin to notice the breath and focus on the breath, we can start to bring our awareness inwards; we can start to practice staying in the present moment through mindfulness, which helps calm the mind and any negative thoughts about our body image. You can practice mindfulness and presence both on and off the mat. Begin by focusing on your breath while you’re practicing slow, gentle yoga poses. Take note of how each pose affects your inhales and exhales. Draw your breath to a particular body part with your mind. When you start to call upon your breath to help you stay present, you will start to learn to trust your body, in turn creating a more loving relationship with your body.
The Practice of Self-Study and The Invitation to Observe Rather Than Judge, Pushes You to Recognise How You Talk to Yourself
All day, every day you are in constant communication with your mind and body. Unfortunately, much of what we say to ourselves is usually negative and judgmental. It can be easy to slip into a cycle of negative thoughts and emotions and it can be challenging to dig yourself out. By making time to pause and look inwards, we can begin to learn about ourselves. We can learn our thought patterns and what triggers them. We can discover what truly matters to us. Yoga is a safe space for us to be and to learn. It’s a place where we can focus on the possibilities, rather than the limitations. Next time you are on the mat, notice your inner dialogue with yourself. Are there any thoughts that make you doubt your body? Is the narrative telling you that you are not good enough? Simply observe the thoughts, ask yourself why am I telling myself these things? Do they serve me in a positive way? If the answer is no, begin to question the negative thoughts, what if you’re not actually a failure? What if you are not fat, but you are healthy and beautiful? When negative thoughts occur, change those messages into something positive. Focus on your body’s abilities. Approach your yoga practice from a playful and curious mindset; approaching each and every pose with appreciation for what your body is able to do. At the end of each practice say thank you to your body for moving and breathing so gracefully. Say thank you for being alive.
ABOUT ALLIE
I am a fully qualified Yoga, Pilates, Meditation, Mindfulness Teacher and Life Coach. Currently studying The Trauma Conscious Yoga Method to further increase my knowledge around trauma and how yoga can help us heal. I am focused on helping women to heal from the inside out; heal their trauma, their relationship with their body, mind and soul. I am deeply invested, passionate and dedicated to helping women love themselves again. Guiding them to quiet the mind and free their body! Empowering them to access the confidence, worthiness and self-love that they so deserve! Every class I teach, whether that is yoga, pilates or meditation, centres around particular tools for times of stress or anxiety; tools to raise their self-love, appreciation and worthiness. I am creating a safe space, particularly for trauma survivors to reconnect with their bodies and to help them find their freedom. I want women to become their own best friends and know that they can heal from trauma and mental health issues through, movement, breath, self-love and body positivity. “Feel Free to Be You”
