I stumbled across a comment (on one of the yoga teacher Facebook groups that I am a part of) and it said something along the lines of :
“I put on 30 – 40 lbs after the birth of my son and am wondering if it’s OK to still teach (because I don’t have the slim figured “yoga body” I once had?)”
…
And with a gasp, it stopped me in my tracks. Slim figured yoga body? Huh? What is that? Any body and every body is a yoga body!
How much you weigh or what you look like is not the point of a yoga practice… and if that’s the general consensus then maybe we as a yoga collective need to work at shifting that. You see, I have struggled with body image and worthiness for most of my life, and I have become a warrior for self love because of it. But the one place that I have never been self conscious, is when I’m teaching or practicing yoga. Go figure. You would think when all eyes are on me as a teacher, those old beasts would rear their head. But here is the thing, for me it is Divine Connection … when I teach it is an offering, when I practice it is devotional. Both are sacred. And within the sacred, self criticism has no place. When I step on my mat, it is a place where I can learn about the subtle nature of who I am and how I show up. It is definitely not about having a “perfect body according to society” … it’s being at peace with what is and discovering more about all aspects of self. The benefits for the physical body are a bonus.
I LOVE this explanation by Rachel Brathen ~
“The yoga pose is not the goal.
Becoming flexible is not the goal.
Standing on your hands is not the goal.
The goal is to create space where you were once stuck.
To unveil the layers of protection you’ve built around your heart.
To appreciate your body and become aware of the mind
and the noise it creates.
To make peace with who you are.
The goal is to love, well… You.
Come to your yoga mat to feel; not to accomplish.
Shift your focus and your heart will grow.”
If you have been wanting to try yoga but have been holding yourself back because of fear … please stop. Take a breath, and rename the fear as excitement for the journey of discovery you are about to embark on. Push out of your comfort zone, stick with it, go to a few classes… lessons will be learned and your soul with thank you. Show up for yourself and rock YOUR yoga body!
In the meantime, explore Wide Leg Child’s Pose at home…
1. Come to hands and knees
2. Bring the big toes to touch and take your knees as wide as the mat.
3. Sit back on your heels
4. Bring your forehead to the mat
5. Extend the arms
6. Allow the chest to soften towards the mat
Variations & Support:
1. Place a rolled up blanket or pillow under the hips or behind the knees
2. Use your arms or a pillow for your forehead (if unable to come down all the way)
Practice it once simply as is.
Then… set the intention to use the pose as a place of offering. As you bow into child’s pose… energetically offer up anything in your world that is not serving your highest self. Maybe it’s a habit, personality aspect, self criticism, fear or a heavy situation you’ve been carrying in your heart. Almost like setting it down at the feet of the Divine, on Mother Nature’s Altar or however you express your connection to source. Do this with as many things as you want, for as long as you need.
Take a moment afterwards to reflect on anything that came up.
Love, Light and Infinite Blessings,
Sandy
Sandy Veilleux is a long-time yoga teacher, and her specialties include Kundalini, Hatha and Prenatal yoga. Sandy is also a Freedom & Lifestyle Coach.