Body Acceptance & Yoga.

Your body is not an apology- it is a celebration - Sonya Renee Taylor

Take a moment to pause and ask yourself "How do I truly feel about my body?" You don't have to hide anything here—be honest with yourself.

Perhaps you are someone who feels like there are some things you would like to change, maybe you feel happy with your body or you could feel at war with it. (There is no shame in this—I have been there and sometimes still feel like this!)

If you are somebody who struggles with their body or appearance, just know that you are not alone. We currently live in a society that puts a lot of pressure on physical appearance and what is considered "healthy" or "attractive," and it can often feel like we never live up to those standards.

Body acceptance is something I have been on my own journey with and something I feel pretty passionate about. My goal through teaching yoga is to help other women feel more connected to their bodies and use yoga as a way to celebrate their bodies instead of punishing them. I truly believe yoga is a tool that we can use to help us cultivate more self-compassion, care, and acceptance.

To give you a little background, in my early teens I suffered from an eating disorder that left me with crippling anxiety, low self-esteem, and body dysmorphia, which would stick with me for the following 10+ years. I was somebody who felt like their body was never good enough and wouldn't be happy no matter what shape or size it was. I often felt like my body was something I should feel ashamed about or something I had to justify to others. Perhaps you can resonate?

Yoga became a big part of my life in my late teens, and it was the first time I actually felt I was moving my body not because I wanted to change it but simply because it felt good. I won't lie and say I don't ever have days where I struggle with my body—because I do! I also won't say I believe yoga will fix all your body image issues (a good therapist might help you here!) I will say though—yoga is a tool you can use to foster a deeper connection to your body, and in doing so, you will gain a deeper sense of acceptance.

What actually is body acceptance? Body acceptance isn't just "loving every inch" of your body, but instead, it is respecting, listening to, and being kind to your body as it is today. Body acceptance, much like yoga, is a journey; we will ebb and flow. Some days you will feel great, others not. Some days it will feel easy, some days it will feel hard. Some days you will feel super confident, sometimes you won't. Know this is normal, and it is just part of the practice.

So how can you use yoga as a tool to help you foster body acceptance?

Set an intention for your practice.

Setting an intention for your practice is such a powerful way to create meaning in your yoga. Whenever you step onto your mat, take a moment to think "what do I need from this practice today?"

Some intentions might be:

• To listen to your body throughout.

• To focus on how postures feel.

• To feel strong in your body.

• To honor where you are, not where you think you "should" be.

These might change each time you step onto your mat, and that is okay; just assess what you and your body need each time.

Shift your focus from appearance to experience.

Yoga isn't about aesthetics—despite what you might see on Instagram. Your practice is about YOU. Focus on what you are experiencing throughout your practice. You might notice sensations, feelings, emotions. Be with it all. You might even take opportunities to close your eyes and really draw inwards. I personally love moments of some intuitive movement in postures like tabletop, downward-facing dog, and lying on back.

Use props.

I know props might be scary, especially if you have never used them before, but they are a great way to help us honor where our bodies are at in that moment. Don't be afraid to grab some blocks or a strap when you go to a yoga class or even during self-practice. You might find it makes postures WAY more comfortable and accessible for you.

Honor rest.

This is something you might take off your mat too. Whenever I teach a class, I always remind my students to rest whenever they feel they need to, and honestly, I love seeing somebody taking a child's pose. Why? Because to me, that signals they are honoring their body, they are listening to their needs and doing what feels right for them. Don't feel ashamed to rest during a class! No (good) teacher will ever make you feel bad for it, and if they do, then it's time you find yourself a new yoga teacher.

Use affirmations.

Did you know that by repeating something often enough, the brain forms pathways that lead us to perceive it as true? So when you are repeating comments about your body, you strengthen those pathways, but don't worry, we can create NEW pathways.

The next time you roll out your mat, see if you can find moments to repeat words of affirmation to yourself. Some ideas may include:

I honor my body.

My body is worthy of care.

My body is strong.

I love taking care of my body.

I appreciate everything my body allows me to do.

Find a teacher who is inclusive and creates a safe space.

This might seem self-explanatory, but it's important. You want to be in a space where you really feel seen, safe, and looked after. Avoid classes that mention any diet talk, including suggestions of postures that will help you lose weight, burn off... etc. Your yoga should feel like a space where you feel safe in your body, and the teacher can have a big impact on this.

Reflect on your practice.

You could take a moment at the end of your practice—in savasana or after—to pause and think about how you showed up for yourself. What did you feel during? How do you feel now? You can also take a moment to thank yourself and thank your body for moving today. Give yourself the recognition and praise that you deserve.

These are just some ways you can use your yoga practice to help you create more body acceptance. Remember, your body acceptance journey (like your yoga journey) doesn't have to be perfect, but just showing up is good enough.

All the love,

Colleen at Bloom & Grow xxx