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 Natural Body Shape - Your Natural Beauty Template |
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“Are you imagining the wrong body?” I recently came across this question on a website about body image. An appropriate question, I think, as many of us work with the challenge of our weight and fitness goals for the new year and beyond. It might help to take a step back for a moment and evaluate whether or not this question has meaning for you. If you are imagining the wrong body, then what is the right one? To me, imagining the wrong body goes something like this: “I would love to have hair (like my best friend), thighs like (pick the celebrity of your choice), or flat abs (like those beautiful models for home gyms).” My friends and I have all engaged in this kind of fanciful ruminating at one time or another. |
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Although it may seem harmless—we don’t really want a whole new body, just one part exchanged—I think it is an example of the way we often give life to the imaginings of what Buddhists call “the Monkey Mind.” Literature has a name for it as well: “stream of consciousness.” Both refer to the disjointed flow of thoughts that race through our heads as we go about our day. I like one metaphor that likens the Monkey Mind to the image of a monkey who fruitlessly reaches out from his tree, wanting to catch the reflection of the moon in a pool. Likewise, we are tempted to reach for airbrushed media illusions when we consider our body image goals. As I began the session, I was drawn to my toes. Poor cramped misshaped toes. They have suffered a lot, ignored and sacrificed for fashion. I sat with my buttocks on my heels, feet flexed, so my toes spread out on the carpet. Ouch. I stayed like this for a while, breathing deeply and consciously relaxing and spreading my toes wider apart. The pain lessened as some of the stiffness went away. I then put the fingers of my right hand in between the toes of my left foot, encouraging my toes to spread and relax even more. I did the same with my left hand and right foot. The session helped release some of the pain I have put into my body to be fashionable.
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Yoga connects us with parts of our bodies we usually do not think about when evaluating body image—like toes. I know I am more inclined to spend time worrying about the wrinkles on my face, which people see, rather than my toes, which can be hidden inside beautiful shoes. Yet, I wonder if stressed toes contribute to the aging of the face? Toes and all other parts of our bodies make up the template of our natural beauty—the shape with which we were born. And our body parts rely on each other to be their best. I remember one acupuncturist told me her acupuncture facelift treatment addresses the health and well-being of the whole body. Without paying attention to the whole, her treatment is not as effective. A younger and healthier looking face depends on making the rest of the body healthier. Like the moon behind the reflection, there is a natural beauty that is real for each of us to attain. It comes from the template with which we were born—our natural and unique shape. When we take care of each part of it, we become more than the sum of our parts. This is the path to the highest personal beauty. Try this: When we love ourselves we are able to love others more. Why not pick one part of your body that may deserve a little more attention? Trace a mental heart on it. Send it love throughout the day
Visit our Resource Page to learn about yoga toe stretchers - they relieve stress and also benefit a variety of foot problems: Check back next month for our feature article entitled "Do People Call You Stubborn: Turn a Bad Trait into a Good One." Sign up to receive our monthly feature article via e-mail. |
Previous Topics Thunder Thighs: How to Love Our Pesky Endomorphic (and Other Flawed) Parts Yoga Nidra: Natural Rx for Insomnia? In Search of a Natural Body Weight ‘Put Your Foot in Your Mouth’ – The Value of Good Flexibility and a Strong Spine Cultivating Your Natural Body Shape Through Yoga Looking for an article? Check our Archives |
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