Whenever someone dreams about yoga or intends to do it, the first picture that strikes the mind is that of a skinny girl who is beyond her impeccable flexible yoga moves just like a “ballerina”. Though it isn’t a wrong thing, but yes it does discourage those who are on the higher side of the weighing scale.
Worldwide uncountable number of people opt yoga classes to get into shape and fit into their much awaited dress sizes. They undergo rigorous yoga sessions and crash diets to overcome the fear of being mentioned “fat”.
If asked, what makes you matchless and gives you a sense of self, the first on that list is their bodies, work and social status which they have earned.
Last week in my counselling session, I asked the attendees, “What are they afraid of?” replies were astonishing as majority of them were either afraid of being called fat or scared of gaining it, would lose confidence if they gain in future.
As we grow older we are keen to listen to our minds than to believe our bodies. In job interviews, our minds dictate our perceptions when we see someone more attractive than ourselves and blame our body for the rejection and start a new fad diet the very next day.
Through the mind, we see our body as a means to serve our wishes and ignore to come out of unrealistic projections of the mind for body validation.
We keep shaming not only others but our bodies too, by judging their bodies. This habit is so deeply rooted that we have forgotten the attachment with it.
Yoga practices tame the projections (Low self – esteem, negative body image & depression) of wavering mind to come out of it and get into the inner self of real body.
- Give treat to your body
Go out for a good meal, cook what you like – pamper your inner body with these ways. But remember, over indulgence or frequent aren’t good choices. So once in a while is a great pick.
Detoxify, a light meal etc are some of the options that could be done next day to balance the calorie count. Come out of the guilt. Rather than starving the next day, burn those calories by working it out.
Allowing ourselves these treats is one part of being healthy.
- Study of inner development
The yoga practice of svadhyaya- Self Reflection, effectively checks our external actions. They become a mirror in which we see ourselves clearly. It discovers what we are within and what we project.
Check! Are you treating your body to please others? Accept the power of “Being You”.
Flatter yourself for your happiness. Learning to love your body is a lifelong process. The early it is the better you every day.
- All bodies are beautiful
Don’t get obsessed during the process of losing weight and inches. Interact with your body. Accept your body type, your genes, lifestyle, priorities then start with the goal of slimming down.
Nature has created many body types. It’s unworkable to change the body-type you possess. The wise decision is to be into the best shape of your type.
- Being Fit- the definite goal
A person can’t be judged “fit” if he/she is slim. Generally, fat people are considered unhealthy enough to be cited as an example of a fit person. Whereas, we wish to fit into the frame of a slim person without even aware of his/her actual health statistics.
Here, I am not suggesting leading a sedentary lifestyle. A happy mind & soul with physical activity everyday defines being fit.
- Define the beauty of human body
The day we recognize that we are more than just our bodies, we ease off few of the pressures we place on them.
Body is an important medium but not an absolute criterion to experience life. Practice Ashtang (Eight steps) yoga to bring peace of mind that remains forever.
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