How Yoga Can Help You Overcome Body Issues
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| Goddess Pose |
As human beings we like attention. Some more than others. And body image is one of the first things
people recognize, so we tend to care about it a lot more. It is part of the first impression. People strive to feel or present themselves
in a certain way to get the best response for different occasions. Some people just don't care. But women, on the other hand,
seem to have a significant amount of pressure to look a certain way. From the top of our heads down to our
pedicures. Yeah, some women do it for
themselves or even to impress other women, but more or less to win the
attention of men. To beat out the
competition. Men have different taste
across the board. Some like women with a large breast, a “donkey,” long hair, tall,
skinny, thick, etc. And women, either
consciously or subconsciously, tend to adjust their appearance to appeal to
them. Then become so critical of ourselves or each other, that it can take a
significant toll on our self-esteem.
As a woman, you can look back and recall situation your outer appearance was criticized or made you
feel less than a woman. Maybe it was in
a relationship, parents, religion, or even a job. Growing up Pentecostal, I was taught women should cover up and wear long
skirts, no jewelry, no makeup because it was pleasing to the lord of
almighty! Thankfully, I do not ascribe
to such beliefs anymore, but I felt it
was the right thing to do. There was a relationship where I downgraded my outward
appearance to make him feel less insecure around other people. Then there was another when he wanted me to
look sexier. Then I went natural and wore my curly for
years and remember being told by a supervisor at my job my hair was unprofessional. Then I began to straighten my hair and was told by a few zealots as a black queen I should
wear my hair in its natural state as if I didn’t know already I was a queen, I can keep going on and on. But this type of criticism can take a toll on
your self-esteem either you realize it or not, and we began to make decisions
that are unhealthy for our souls.
Let's be honest with ourselves and how we strive to appeal
to the masses. How much are we doing it
for ourselves? How much are we doing it
for attention? And why? We can change anything about ourselves and
still be criticized or feel that we aren't enough. That is why we must get in touch with the
SELF. Nurture our souls. Calm our minds.
Love ourselves, so that when we look in the mirror every morning makeup or no
makeup, think or skinny, A cup to DD, short or long hair—you see nothing but
divine royalty. This is where yoga comes into play!
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| Warrior II |
Yoga is a meditative practice through asanas (poses) that
helps you develop a more serene life. Yoga also offers physical, psychological, and
spiritual benefits. Yoga means
different things to a lot of people. I
believe anyone can choose what aspect to focus on depending on their personal
lives, vices, or attitude. There is now Trap
Yoga, Kemetic Yoga, and Goat Yoga (that I will never do). Or if you just want to have fun, go for it! At some point I realized how much I’ve
allowed other people influence my life either it was the way I dress, speak,
act, etc. As I continued to do yoga (six
years), I began to realize how much it has changed my life including improving
self-esteem issues. How is that?
Naked Yoga
It was an awkward experience when I began to do yoga
naked—feeling air in unfamiliar places
during downward facing dog or even a headstand was very different haha. But I started to feel more and more liberated,
not associating any negative experience with perceived flaws. So peel off them yoga clothes, get down to
who you were before you entered this world; before you were told or felt like you were inadequate. This
can be done alone from the comfort of your home; when your kids are asleep or
gone to school, or in the bathroom after or before you shower (if it's big
enough). Better if there is a mirror
around to look at all your "flaws" and declare them beautiful;
cellulite, stretch marks, freckles, etc.
That's right, even if you don't feel it, say it anyway. Because your body is divine and made
precisely the way it should. Now when I find myself being self-critical, I
strip off my yoga close and move around the mat naked.
Empowering Poses
There are a series of poses I do more than others that I
feel aid in loving myself more. If you
aren’t comfortable with doing yoga naked or don't have the quality of space to
do it, try out these poses.
1. Goddess
pose. This pose is perfect! You turn to the side of your mat with your
legs apart, knees bent, chest to the sun, and arms spread like an Egyptian
goddess. I suggest staying in the pose
for at least three breaths or more. When
done, heel-toe your feet back up to a standing position.
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| Head to Knee Pose |
2. Knee to
chest pose. This pose is a great way to
love yourself literally. You lye on your
back and bring both knees to your chest.
Then you embrace your arms around your legs to give yourself a big
hug. I stay here for at least five
breaths—when do you get the chance to hug yourself?
4. Rag-doll.
This pose you literally fold over with knees slightly bent and grab opposite elbows having your torso resting
on your thighs and dropping your head.
This pose gives yourself a little hug that I usually stay for at least
three breaths.
5. Warrior II.
This pose is electrifying, channeling your inner warrior to help you
feel confident about yourself. From here
you can move into Exhaulted/Peaceful Warrior dropping your back arm down your
hind leg, front arm extended up to the sky.
Stay for at least three breaths.
You can stay at each pose for as long as your body will
comfortably allow, making sure you are focusing on your breath.
Stimulating Music
Not just any plain out yoga music station or CD, but
music that is both mentally and emotionally stimulating to help shift your Self
back to the center. For instance, if you
just broke up with someone, play Beyoncé if she does it for you (to the left,
to the left!). Or if you have been
self-critical on your body lately, play a romantic artist like Ed Sheeran. Or even Tank and Usher. That's right "When We" and
"Can You Handle It" type songs.
I find this helps to rebuild my self-confidence and makes me feel good
about myself again. Sometimes I have a
song or album on repeat. You can play
whatever you like however long to help you feel better about yourself.
As women, we must
realize how much we can allow others to influence our self-appearance and shift
that concern to ourselves. We must truly
love ourselves to a point where if someone makes you feel inadequate, you can laugh
and “twirl” on your haters knowing that you are beautiful and divinely made. This is something that must be worked on
throughout our lives throughout changes in our physical physique such as
pregnancy. And yoga is a beautiful tool
to have when you find yourself being self-critical, insecure, or just plain unloved. So go ahead and create a playlist of sensual
or empowering songs, and start doing yoga naked. If being naked is too much, start off playing
the music when you are cleaning or before you start your day. Hang affirmations on your mirror such as
"you are beautiful," “you are enough," "you are perfect
just the way you are," or whatever you may be feeling insecure about,
write the opposite of how you want to feel. Repeat the affirmations every day! Then maybe move along to the poses, then
perhaps get naked! Whatever way you go,
stick to it, don’t give up on yourself.
You deserve to be loved!
Hope these tips can help you along your journey to
self-love and freedom as it has mine.
Namaste.
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JoAnnah (Jo Jo) Thompson has been doing yoga since 2012. After falling into a depression, she turned to yoga and never looked back. She's found yoga to help overcome anxiety, depression, and even self-esteem issues. Jo Jo began to post her progress, and inspiring messages on Instagram and surprisingly gained a big following. After realizing the positive effect, Jo Jo decided to learn more about the practice and became certified to spread her light further. She's recently opened a studio in Niagara Falls, NY called Self Love Yoga, focused on transforming the mind and self-esteem through asanas and affirmations. Jo Jo looks forward to transforming lives through her experiences and practice. Namaste.
Instagram: jojotheyogi
Facebook: jojotheyogi
Website: www.jojotheyogi.com
Email: info@jojotheyogi.com
The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of BlackGirlYoga.
